Model 940 3" - 9mm Luger

[Belgian686]

I have the opportunity to buy a S&W 940 (serial BKR62xx) for about 300$. I am big fan of J-frames, and reading here and there it seems that this particular model 940 in 3 inch is hard to find.

We don't have concealed carry, or any other form of loaded gun in public area's, so this will be a range fun gun only. It comes with 3 clips, overall condition is like new, no box or paperwork.

Can someone date this gun for me, and is there any idea how many 3" (or 2") are existing ? This is only the second one in 3" I ever saw for sale. Are the shown grips original to the gun ? And would it be a 940 no dash, or a 940-1 ?

I will only be shooting at the range, and have contradicting versions if it can be shot without clips or not. Its' use will obviously not be in critical situations, so I can afford to load / unload without clips, using a stronger plastic pin to driver stuck cases out if needed. I also heard it kicks quite well, but will the longer barrel not tame that a bit, together with a bit more generous grips ?

Thanks for your comments on this particular gun - all ideas / advices are very welcome.

Best - Belgian686

 

[toddimusnimski]

That's an amazing price. I believe that model is the 940. The 940-1 has its upper frame pin set back a bit further from the rear of the cylinder. Forum please correct me if I'm wrong, and maybe clue me in on what that pin is for.

The factory switched to the shorter Uncle Mikes boot grip in 1994 from the Uncle Mikes combat grip that this one has.

It looks like the 940 was produced from 1991 to 1993, when the 3" barrel was discontinued. The 940-1 was produced until late 1998.

My 2" 940 carries very well and has a great feel. The spent cases do stick a bit during extraction and I'd be interested in getting that rectified. A member recommended using a ceramic hone in the chambers but that's on my to-do list.

Todd

 

[Rock185]

I have had a 940-1 for several years. You may find that ignition without moon clips is unreliable. S&W advises to use moon clips for both headspacing, and extraction, of rimless cases. Use of moon clips is necessary with my 940-1. Without moon clips, headspace on mine is grossly excessive. With moon clips, headspace is within spec.

Velocity, muzzle energy, and attendant recoil are greater with 9mm than with any major manufacturer .38 Spcl. +P ammunition I have chronographed. The longer rubber grips that allow three fingers on the grip do help to control recoil. I have used similar grips on my S&W and Ruger 9mm revolvers. With moon clips, extraction of empty cases is normal with any standard pressure ammunition I have used in the S&W. With +P or NATO ammunition, extraction is very sticky/difficult. I have learned to use just standard pressure ammunition in my 940-1 revolver. I rarely see one of the 3" guns offered for sale. In the U.S. a 3" 940 would likely sell for quite a bit more than $300.00..

 

[H Richard]

I had a 2" 940 (mo dash) ship date Aug 91. I agree on the sticky extraction, and I dis use a hone on the chambers but still couldn't get easy extraction. The recoil, even with standard velocity 9mm was very sharp, and the rubber grips are appreciated. I had put some more attractive wood grips on it and after a few rounds decided it had to have the rubber grips on it. It wasn't one of my favorite range guns, so it went on the sale block.

 

[VictorLouis]

I hope the speed of your wallet extracting from your pocket didn't cause any nasty friction burns. Those HURT !

 

[swagmeister]

That would be a very good price on the gun. You don't see many of those for sale anymore. I had one years ago (a 2") but I had problems with the moonclips bending too easily; they were very thin. Maybe this caused the hard extraction mentioned by earlier posters. Once they bend, they are pretty much useless and reliability suffers as the cylinder became hard to turn.

 

[Les Greevy]

I have two 940's and a 940-1. One of the 940's has a 3 inch barrel. I believe the 3 inch was only made for one year, '91-'92. They do have snappy recoil with lighter bullets recoiling less. In both 940's the 115 gr. bullets shoot to point of aim. I have had no problem with sticky extraction but shoot mostly lighter hand loads with 105 and 115 gr. bullets which I find to be very accurate.
I have several J frames in .22, .38 Special and .357 Mag. both standard and air weight. I do all of my triggers and I have to say that the two 940's have the absolute smoothest triggers of all my J frames. I am not sure why that is but they are a joy to shoot and very accurate with the 3 inch being easier to shoot well than the 2 inch. I have Craig Spegel grips on mine and love them but if you were not going to carry them and only use on the range one of the larger Hogue grips with a place for all fingers might help with accuracy and recoil.
I believe you will enjoy that gun very much and the price is significantly lower than I would expect.
Good Luck with it.
Les

 

[Les Greevy]

940 3 inch

Attached is a photo of 940's with Craig Spegel grips discussed in the above post. Super guns!
Les

 

[Belgian686]

First of all, let me thank you all for your great comments and appreciations. Again, this Forum has a lot of premium members

I have proverbially pulled the first trigger : I have reserved the gun - Now I will have to wait a couple of months before it's home from Germany to Belgium.

If I read well in the SCSW 3, the gun dates from end 1991, early 1992, but there is not much comment on it (just a few lines). Would SCSW 4 give more details, as to numbers produced, etc ? I found in my SW sales catalogues collection the 1991 and 1992 exemplars, and it seems the original grip is on the gun.

All the best - B686

 

[Les Greevy]

I don't have SCSW #3 but I do have SCSW#4 which has few details so I would doubt more.
Les

 

[Dave686]

B686, hello from Music City

That's an excellent price for an addition to your collection. Those will bring a grand around here simply because they aren't made anymore and the 9mm shooters like them.

J-Frames make excellent carry guns, most everyone that carries has at least one, but IMHO, they are terrible range toys, you won't want to shoot a J-frame much.

Please post up some pics when you get it, we never get tired of looking at gun pics.

 

[ladder13]

That's an outstanding price. 1/3 or less the price here.

 

[CH4]

Wow!
$300 for any 940 is a great price, even more so for a 3". My good friend just paid $1500+ for just the 3" gun. Last August I happily paid $900 for my 2".

 

[jaymoore]

I've had a couple of 940s, both with the 2" barrel, since the 1990's.
One has had a lot of rounds through it, including a good number of +P+ rounds. Rather stout recoil! That one also has a lot of holster wear, but the 940 has won that battle, so far, wearing out two holsters! (Basically, the inside of the holster meets the outside...)
It's also been good at resisting moisture and complete submersion in various creeks. Way better on both holster wear and corrosion resistance than its lightweight counterparts in .357. Also better as regards muzzle flash.
If you don't do your own reloads, 9mm Kurz/.380 auto is a fun low recoil alternative. You do have to use the moon clips in this instance. Brass bulges slightly without hindering extraction.