younggun456
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Can you fire +p or +p+ rounds out of the 940. And is the 9mm round better than the 38 spl round in a j frame?
thanx in advance,
younggun
thanx in advance,
younggun
940 Question
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WILL TERRY
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Question one : It depends on when the 940 was made.
Question two : You betcha it is !!!
Back to Question one : the first 940 pistols had charge holes incompatible with the high pressure loads. The company changed this when LE officers found out they mostly couldn't use the same ammo in the 940 back up gun as was in their service pistol. WHOOPS !!!
So, S&W redesigned the charge hole dimensions to better accomodate the 9MM PARABELLUM+P and +P+ loads that were on the market at that time. It was sort of a vast project that ended up with halfvast results as some of the newly redesigned charge holes still were very VERY picky as to their diet. My 2" M940 would digest anything but my 3" M940 was still hinky as all gittout. Of course in one of my more brilliant moves I sold the 2" M940 and kept the 3"M940 as the latter gives some of the highest screaming velocities I have ever seen from any 9MM PARABELLUM pistol and shoots like a million bucks. In addition the cylinder and crane slipped into my M60 3" 38 and shot up a storm there too.
And so it goes...
Question two : You betcha it is !!!
Back to Question one : the first 940 pistols had charge holes incompatible with the high pressure loads. The company changed this when LE officers found out they mostly couldn't use the same ammo in the 940 back up gun as was in their service pistol. WHOOPS !!!
So, S&W redesigned the charge hole dimensions to better accomodate the 9MM PARABELLUM+P and +P+ loads that were on the market at that time. It was sort of a vast project that ended up with halfvast results as some of the newly redesigned charge holes still were very VERY picky as to their diet. My 2" M940 would digest anything but my 3" M940 was still hinky as all gittout. Of course in one of my more brilliant moves I sold the 2" M940 and kept the 3"M940 as the latter gives some of the highest screaming velocities I have ever seen from any 9MM PARABELLUM pistol and shoots like a million bucks. In addition the cylinder and crane slipped into my M60 3" 38 and shot up a storm there too.
And so it goes...
HEADKNOCKER
Member
As Will Terry Said "Some" 940s will function flawlessly with just about any ammo put threw them & others, usualy the earlier made ones, will stick cartridges in the cylinders & or the cartridges "Set Back" apon firing into the recoil plate & lock the cylinder up..
Smith & Wesson in thier Manual Suggests.
" In The Model 940 revolver, some brands of 9mm parabellum ammunnition may cause difficulty in extracting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder, If this situation occurs, thoroughly clean the cylinders charge holes with solvent, If This condition persists, we recomend changing to another brand of 9mm parabellum ammunition."
My First 940 "HAD" the sticky case problem & was the result of a crude reamer used to ream the cylinder, I have some pics somewere that show just how awefull they looked..
I tried honeing the cylinder & had fairly good extraction after that & decided to have my cylinder reamed to 38 Super & since haven't had any troubles with extraction except for "Very Hot" ammo..
Federal +P+ 9BPLE extract perfectly, I assume this is because of it's nickel plated cases, But Isreali Sub-Gun Ammo still sticks & my cylinder is smooth inside thanks to Dave Manson @ Manson Precision Reamers..
It's realy Hit & Miss on if one certain 940 will have these problems & may be why S&W discontinued the 940 & only produced "ONE" 942 as a prototype in the Airweight Frame..
I have recently fit a 940-1s cylinder to my 642-0 & haven't been to the range with it YET.. Range Report Due ASAP.. But now have a 942 that is lightweight but shoots the full power 9mm Parabellum..
If I was to buy another 940, I would look down each charge hole with an Eye Loupe & inspect them for smoothness..
BTW My First 940 also came to me with a home made end shake screw, which I assume was because the original was lost or fell out under recoil, S&W Now puts RED loctite on these before assembly which is dry on the screw before assembly..
Also this 940 had a broken fireing pin that Smith & Wesson sent me a replacement Pin, Bushing, Spring, & Cross Pin FREE of charge..
I sold/traded my 2nd 940 but two days later recieved my 940-1 cylinder to fit to my 642, So It didn't HURT as bad..
LOOK AT THE CHARGE HOLES Before You But It..
I'll try and find the pic of the worst charge hole, It's Scary, before the reaming..
Here's a pic of my Two 9mm Snubbies as the Live now..
Big Thanks to Craig Spegel for these amazing grips too.
Gary/Hk
S&W 940 & 942 9mms
NOTE: 124gr Federal Nyclads as Carry Ammo!!, Thanks DC7..
Smith & Wesson in thier Manual Suggests.
" In The Model 940 revolver, some brands of 9mm parabellum ammunnition may cause difficulty in extracting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder, If this situation occurs, thoroughly clean the cylinders charge holes with solvent, If This condition persists, we recomend changing to another brand of 9mm parabellum ammunition."
My First 940 "HAD" the sticky case problem & was the result of a crude reamer used to ream the cylinder, I have some pics somewere that show just how awefull they looked..
I tried honeing the cylinder & had fairly good extraction after that & decided to have my cylinder reamed to 38 Super & since haven't had any troubles with extraction except for "Very Hot" ammo..
Federal +P+ 9BPLE extract perfectly, I assume this is because of it's nickel plated cases, But Isreali Sub-Gun Ammo still sticks & my cylinder is smooth inside thanks to Dave Manson @ Manson Precision Reamers..
It's realy Hit & Miss on if one certain 940 will have these problems & may be why S&W discontinued the 940 & only produced "ONE" 942 as a prototype in the Airweight Frame..
I have recently fit a 940-1s cylinder to my 642-0 & haven't been to the range with it YET.. Range Report Due ASAP.. But now have a 942 that is lightweight but shoots the full power 9mm Parabellum..
If I was to buy another 940, I would look down each charge hole with an Eye Loupe & inspect them for smoothness..
BTW My First 940 also came to me with a home made end shake screw, which I assume was because the original was lost or fell out under recoil, S&W Now puts RED loctite on these before assembly which is dry on the screw before assembly..
Also this 940 had a broken fireing pin that Smith & Wesson sent me a replacement Pin, Bushing, Spring, & Cross Pin FREE of charge..
I sold/traded my 2nd 940 but two days later recieved my 940-1 cylinder to fit to my 642, So It didn't HURT as bad..
LOOK AT THE CHARGE HOLES Before You But It..
I'll try and find the pic of the worst charge hole, It's Scary, before the reaming..
Here's a pic of my Two 9mm Snubbies as the Live now..
Big Thanks to Craig Spegel for these amazing grips too.
Gary/Hk
S&W 940 & 942 9mms
NOTE: 124gr Federal Nyclads as Carry Ammo!!, Thanks DC7..
Last edited:
HEADKNOCKER
Member
Here's that pic of the rough cylinder in the 940..
I lost the pics due to a computer crash but found it with a google image search..
Note that each charge hole looked similar but this was the worst of the five..
Gary/Hk
940 Rough Cylinder Bore
I lost the pics due to a computer crash but found it with a google image search..
Note that each charge hole looked similar but this was the worst of the five..
Gary/Hk
940 Rough Cylinder Bore
David Sinko
Member
It all depends what you mean by "better." The 9mm certainly is more convenient in the moonclips and is the fastest reload in a J Frame. But being a tapered case, I don't think there's any way you can completely eliminate certain extraction problems; it's just the nature of the beast. There are certain factors that will always be problematic, such as soft brass or too fast a powder in good brass. I believe these combinations will always produce sticky extraction. On the other hand, the proper powder in good brass will give stunning results. In terms of power, I believe that my Model 60 .38 Special is more powerful because of its ability to handle heavier bullets. In the 2" barrels the difference is really not that great, but I know that with the .38 Special I'll always have lower pressures and no danger of sticking cases.
I'm perfectly content with either. My Model 60 is used as a backup to my primary, whereas my Model 940 with a spare moonclip reload or two is my first choice if I ever need to carry just one small gun.
Dave Sinko
I'm perfectly content with either. My Model 60 is used as a backup to my primary, whereas my Model 940 with a spare moonclip reload or two is my first choice if I ever need to carry just one small gun.
Dave Sinko
OP
younggun456
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thank you guys for all the info
Wee Hooker
Member
I still don't understand way S&W discontinued these. It's 95% common with a 38/357 Jframe so it couldn't have been driven by production costs. I've got a Ruger Sp101 in 9mm and think it's a sweet concept.
-Cheap & plentiful ammo,
-moon clip speed and convenience,
- 38 +P umph
-caliber commonality with those who want a BUG for their 9mm duty carry.
FWIW, it's about the only gun that could make me leave my 38 snubbie at home.
-Cheap & plentiful ammo,
-moon clip speed and convenience,
- 38 +P umph
-caliber commonality with those who want a BUG for their 9mm duty carry.
FWIW, it's about the only gun that could make me leave my 38 snubbie at home.
HEADKNOCKER
Member
Wee Hooker there's some factory Ruger SP101 9mm Moon Clips for sale in the classifieds..
I always thought these could be used in the 940 but the seller states that they'll hang up on the cylinder stop..
Here's the Link
http://smith-wessonforum.com/accessories-misc-sale-trade/107024-ruger-moon-clips.html
I always wondered why S&W Didn't have a 9mm snub except for the 940 & 547s??
In fact why don't they have a K/L Frame .40 S&W Snub?? Like the 242/296??
Gary/Hk
I always thought these could be used in the 940 but the seller states that they'll hang up on the cylinder stop..
Here's the Link
http://smith-wessonforum.com/accessories-misc-sale-trade/107024-ruger-moon-clips.html
I always wondered why S&W Didn't have a 9mm snub except for the 940 & 547s??
In fact why don't they have a K/L Frame .40 S&W Snub?? Like the 242/296??
Gary/Hk
HEADKNOCKER
Member
I've got about 40 TK Moon clips for the Ruger SP101 9mm & S&W M940 that are .040" thick & they are the best I've come across as the factory S&W Moon Clips are .035" thick
They hold the ammo tighter but still a little sloppy..
The Ruger has a bit larger star ratchet than the J frame Smith..
I used to have two 9mm SP101s & traded & sold them when the need came up.. Great Guns IMO..
That's were I got the Moon Clips..
Just bigger than the J Frame & a bit TOO BIG For pocket carry..
Gary/Hk
They hold the ammo tighter but still a little sloppy..
The Ruger has a bit larger star ratchet than the J frame Smith..
I used to have two 9mm SP101s & traded & sold them when the need came up.. Great Guns IMO..
That's were I got the Moon Clips..
Just bigger than the J Frame & a bit TOO BIG For pocket carry..
Gary/Hk
As Will Terry Said "Some" 940s will function flawlessly with just about any ammo put threw them & others, usualy the earlier made ones, will stick cartridges in the cylinders & or the cartridges "Set Back" apon firing into the recoil plate & lock the cylinder up..
Smith & Wesson in thier Manual Suggests.
" In The Model 940 revolver, some brands of 9mm parabellum ammunnition may cause difficulty in extracting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder, If this situation occurs, thoroughly clean the cylinders charge holes with solvent, If This condition persists, we recomend changing to another brand of 9mm parabellum ammunition."
My First 940 "HAD" the sticky case problem & was the result of a crude reamer used to ream the cylinder, I have some pics somewere that show just how awefull they looked..
I tried honeing the cylinder & had fairly good extraction after that & decided to have my cylinder reamed to 38 Super & since haven't had any troubles with extraction except for "Very Hot" ammo..
Federal +P+ 9BPLE extract perfectly, I assume this is because of it's nickel plated cases, But Isreali Sub-Gun Ammo still sticks & my cylinder is smooth inside thanks to Dave Manson @ Manson Precision Reamers..
It's realy Hit & Miss on if one certain 940 will have these problems & may be why S&W discontinued the 940 & only produced "ONE" 942 as a prototype in the Airweight Frame..
I have recently fit a 940-1s cylinder to my 642-0 & haven't been to the range with it YET.. Range Report Due ASAP.. But now have a 942 that is lightweight but shoots the full power 9mm Parabellum..
If I was to buy another 940, I would look down each charge hole with an Eye Loupe & inspect them for smoothness..
BTW My First 940 also came to me with a home made end shake screw, which I assume was because the original was lost or fell out under recoil, S&W Now puts RED loctite on these before assembly which is dry on the screw before assembly..
Also this 940 had a broken fireing pin that Smith & Wesson sent me a replacement Pin, Bushing, Spring, & Cross Pin FREE of charge..
I sold/traded my 2nd 940 but two days later recieved my 940-1 cylinder to fit to my 642, So It didn't HURT as bad..
LOOK AT THE CHARGE HOLES Before You But It..
I'll try and find the pic of the worst charge hole, It's Scary, before the reaming..
Here's a pic of my Two 9mm Snubbies as the Live now..
Big Thanks to Craig Spegel for these amazing grips too.
Gary/Hk
S&W 940 & 942 9mms
NOTE: 124gr Federal Nyclads as Carry Ammo!!, Thanks DC7..
Beautiful grips. I've got Spegels on my 640 and 340. Wouldn't have anything else.
HEADKNOCKER
Member
They are without a doubt the best concealed carry grips ever made for the J Frames IMO..
They feel even better than they look Too!!
The smooth set is my favorite but the checkered set adds a bit of grip to the Airweight & is still smooth enough to draw from a pocket holster with ease.
Thanks Gunner11
Gary/Hk
They feel even better than they look Too!!
The smooth set is my favorite but the checkered set adds a bit of grip to the Airweight & is still smooth enough to draw from a pocket holster with ease.
Thanks Gunner11
Gary/Hk
OP
younggun456
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I just picked up my 940-1 to go along with my 640-1 pics to come soon!!
HEADKNOCKER
Member
The difference between 940 & 940-1 as far as I can tell from my limited experience with the 940-1 is the newer style of cylinder that's extractor mechanism has no pins & has the squared off ends.
And if I remember correctly the 940-1 also had a case hardened hammer instead of the flash hard chrome finish..
Anybody here have a 940-2??
Well what about a 3" M547 for sale at a decent price?
Gary/Hk
And if I remember correctly the 940-1 also had a case hardened hammer instead of the flash hard chrome finish..
Anybody here have a 940-2??
Well what about a 3" M547 for sale at a decent price?
Gary/Hk
Wakatomika
Member
Youngun;
I recently sold my 940 no dash. It had a couple of idiosyncrasies that I could not live with. Number one problem was that the recoil of cartridges number one through four would pull the bullet from cartridge number five completely from it's case. Loose powder in the cylinder and all. I know that if I reloaded the shells and "crimped " the bullets in place the problem would go away, but the idea of this gun was to use cheap easily available ammo, and all of the cheap stuff did it. Winchester white box and Blaser Brass were the worst offenders. Gold Dot Hollowpoints, which I used to concealed carry this gun worked fine and I carried it for a while with them but my main carry gun is a 638, so away went the 940, and I recently bought a model 49 in 38 special. 38s seem to be better secured in the cartridge case and I have never had one pull the fifth bullet! As you can probably imagine, a serious situation could be created if a bullet ties up your revolver's cylinder at the very time you need it most! 940s, though,are still a cool gun!!!
Hope I have helped
Wakatomika.
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