I saw a M-940 the other day, could be only the second one I've seen. I ask you if anyone feels that it has an advantage over it's twin the M-640-1 that will shoot both the 38 Special and the .357 Magnum? Oh yes, I think I know the answer. The added steps having to load the moon clips and the step to remove the empty cases from the moon clips after do not seem to present any advantage to me. Only 5 shots also subtracts from it's desirability but all this is me trying to talk myself out of being tempted to make another purchase. Any opinions either pro or con and what should it be worth with original box, three moon clips & paper work, saw no cleaning accessories?
Model 940 Opinions
- Thread starter smitholdtimer
- Start date
dubshooter
Member
I want a 940, but not badly enough to pay the $800~ price tags I’ve seen them for. I have a 640 and love it. The 940 would be an advantage to me because I could use my same duty ammo in it that I do for my work gun. Department provides all the ammo I need for that.
Until they come out again and the price goes to that of a 640, I don’t see myself getting one.
Until they come out again and the price goes to that of a 640, I don’t see myself getting one.
I love all the J-frame Centennials
The 9mm family of cartridges are quite efficient in short barrels. Is there an advantage, not really
I do love moon clips, especially in a defensive firearm. They insure that all cartridges extracted when doing a reload. Even with 38/357 I like them. I carry rimmed reloads in a speed strip or rimless reloads in a moon clip.
My 940s have all been opened up to shoot 38SUPER. This means that they can chamber and fire 38SUPER, 38 ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP and others since rimless cartridges headspace on the moon clip in a revolver, all the shorter cartridges work.
The Performance Center 940 Specials are all factory chambered for the 356TSW cartridge. Again, all the shorter cartridges can be safely chambered and fired in this revolver
As to value, even though you fail to mention the revolvers condition, I would be looking to buy that package at $700 (but then I already own several). However it would most likely break the $1,000 mark on the large auction sites
I do love moon clips, especially in a defensive firearm. They insure that all cartridges extracted when doing a reload. Even with 38/357 I like them. I carry rimmed reloads in a speed strip or rimless reloads in a moon clip.
My 940s have all been opened up to shoot 38SUPER. This means that they can chamber and fire 38SUPER, 38 ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP and others since rimless cartridges headspace on the moon clip in a revolver, all the shorter cartridges work.
The Performance Center 940 Specials are all factory chambered for the 356TSW cartridge. Again, all the shorter cartridges can be safely chambered and fired in this revolver
As to value, even though you fail to mention the revolvers condition, I would be looking to buy that package at $700 (but then I already own several). However it would most likely break the $1,000 mark on the large auction sites
Depending upon the price....
You said it's the second one you've ever seen. To me that tells you the answer.
You said it's the second one you've ever seen. To me that tells you the answer.
Tex1001
Member
I own two. a 940 and a 940-1. I bought them both cheap years ago while S&W still made them, but they weren't yet popular. I have pictures here somewhere.
I don't understand where your interest comes from. Do you want one primarily as a collection piece? If so, their value will only escalate in time. Wait and look long enough and an inexpensive specimen will eventually show up.
If the utility (And novelty) interest you, they are small, cute and powerful, but there are other small 9mm revolvers out there. I truly doubt that I would pay the prices that I see them sell for today. That said, I really enjoy carrying and shooting both of mine.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.
I don't understand where your interest comes from. Do you want one primarily as a collection piece? If so, their value will only escalate in time. Wait and look long enough and an inexpensive specimen will eventually show up.
If the utility (And novelty) interest you, they are small, cute and powerful, but there are other small 9mm revolvers out there. I truly doubt that I would pay the prices that I see them sell for today. That said, I really enjoy carrying and shooting both of mine.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.
Tex1001
Member
Bill In Texas
Member
Even though I'm a 640-1 guy, I would have to say that one advantage would be that 9mm is cheaper than either .38 special or .357's.
I won’t get into the price/value thing. You asked about which one, 940 vs. 640. I’ve had both for a long time and like both. The 940 has the advantages that any moonclip revolver has - quick to load, reload, and unload. Secondarily, extraction is less problematic with the shorter 9mm case, but if you always hold the revolver vertically and operate the extractor rod with some vigor, it’s unlikely the inability on the extractor rod to provide full extraction (2-inch 640) will cause trouble. Bottom line for me is... I am in no hurry to get rid of my 940, but have to admit I use the 640 more.
dubshooter
Member
I will add that I had a 9mm LCR for a bit. And my current 442 is cut for moonclips. I love carrying loaded with moonclips for good, positive extraction. But two things I don’t like/prefer:
I don’t like to carry moonclips in my pocket for reload. The clips can easily bend, and I don’t like the bulk. I also don’t carry soeedloaders. I know some guys carry reloads in a film case, but I don’t find that to be very quick to reload. If it gets to the point I need a reload in my carry gun, I better be able to do it very quickly. And holding a gun, opening a film case, and extracting the loaded clip doesn’t seem feasible under stress and with only 2 hands. So I bought a .327 speed strip and carried my extra 5 rounds in a strip. If I needed more than those, it would be a bad day.
That leads me into the second thing I don’t like about moonclips. If I fire three rounds, and there is a chance to reload, it’s load 5 or none. No easy way to extract the spent cases and reload.
I still carry my 442 loaded with moonclips. But I carry two speed strips for reloads. So the speed of reload with a moonclip isn’t a big appeal to me
I don’t like to carry moonclips in my pocket for reload. The clips can easily bend, and I don’t like the bulk. I also don’t carry soeedloaders. I know some guys carry reloads in a film case, but I don’t find that to be very quick to reload. If it gets to the point I need a reload in my carry gun, I better be able to do it very quickly. And holding a gun, opening a film case, and extracting the loaded clip doesn’t seem feasible under stress and with only 2 hands. So I bought a .327 speed strip and carried my extra 5 rounds in a strip. If I needed more than those, it would be a bad day.
That leads me into the second thing I don’t like about moonclips. If I fire three rounds, and there is a chance to reload, it’s load 5 or none. No easy way to extract the spent cases and reload.
I still carry my 442 loaded with moonclips. But I carry two speed strips for reloads. So the speed of reload with a moonclip isn’t a big appeal to me
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