Model 940

[JohnRippert]

Saw a Model 940 at the gunshow this weekend. I went Saturday morning and saw it in the case. Had the two finger Uncle Mikes on it which I think are the factory grips. Big crowd there and could not get close enough to ask about it. There was no price listed on it and that usually means "too damn much". I forgot about it and headed home without trying to ask the price.

Come this morning I decided to do some research on them and decided to go back to the show this afternoon. Who knows, deals on Sunday? Much less crowd with everybody waiting for the game to start and with about an hour before closing I find it again. He tells me that it is $675 and he is open for offers. Obviously wants to sell it. I start checking it out and there are several areas of pitting on it. I know that stainless can rust but you really have to try to get this many areas of pitting. The side that had been down in the case also has a area where someone tried to "fix" the pitting by rubbing it down with most likely a scotchbrite pad.

I already have two good J-frames for carry in my M36 and M640. I was thinking more in terms of collectibility, and the condition blew that out of the water. I probably could have gotten it for around $600 but that is too steep for a shooter, at least for me.

The only other revolver that really spoke to me was a Model 15 from around 1972 in excellent shape with box for $795. I guess it just could not speak loud enough.

 

[22hipower]

I would have come to the same conclusion on both guns. Don't often see the 940 but there are many carry guns that can be had in excellent condition for $600. The 940 is one of those that I think has future collector value (already sells for multiples of its original issue price) and with box/papers is worth a premium. But badly pitted puts it in the same category as any other badly pitted gun, for me anyway. Model 15s are nice but there are lots of them and $795 would be a tad high for me too for that vintage unless maybe if ANIB. . . and I happened to have a pocketful of cash with me. Better luck next time.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[JohnRippert]

I am trying to be less impulsive these days. Considering how many handguns I have purchased in the last 4 months, I need to work harder on that.

 

[Nighthawk0083]

Someone probably cleaned it at one time with a regular wire brush embedding enough metal to cause it to rust and pit. I wonder is a bead blast would have been a better option than the scotch brite approach.

 

[g-dad]

I really like the 940's. Bought the 2" here a couple of yrs ago and found the 3" close to me but scratched pretty bad so I polished it. here's the before and after pics of the 3". Great guns

 

[H Richard]

The 940 seems to have a following. I know I like mine and kept in rotation for quite a period. I will say, it seems to have a very sharp recoil that bites me at the joint of my thumb at the web of the hand if I practice with it very much. It currently wears Pachmayer compacts for that reason.



These grips look wonderful, but added to the discomfort when shooting. I sold them off last year.

 

[Tex1001]

I got these in the early 90's before the prices went astronomical.
The left one is a 940 no dash with a slim barrel. The right one is a 940-1 with a heavier barrel. Both have whippy recoil.
You can carry a couple of reloads in an old prescription bottle. (I stole this idea from Erich.)
I love them both, but I wouldn't even consider paying today's prices for either.