S&W Model 940 9mm

[Trouthunter]

I picked up a like new model 940 the other day from a guy that I know. It has the original grips as well as a pair of Crimson Trace grips and a bunch of moon clips. It does not have the original box; he can't find it.

He carried the 940 in an ankle holster when a deputy sheriff as a back up to his 9mm duty handgun for a month or so then put it in his safe since he changed to a 1911 duty weapon.

Can anyone tell me the value of this revolver? It shows a faint cylinder line but other than that it is like new.

I'm at the office now but if pictures are needed I can post them later.

Thank you!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I've seen them go higher, but for my money $600 is a good buy.

 

[22hipower]

Kind of a niche product, they don't show up all that often. A friend just traded his (no box) but in nice condition plus $50 for a 4 inch S sn 28-2 with box/papers/tools. Given recent prices the 28-2 is likely worth $800-$1000 in today's market. I have a 940 with original box/papers that I would want $800-$1000 for if I were to sell it. Recent GB sales are in the $1000 range and a bit more for the three inch version. The CT laser grips are worth $100-$200. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Loyaljeeper]

That sounds like an $800 package in today's market.

 

[keithhagan]

As most folks have pointed out, the prices on these are currently inflated. They will return to "normal" soon enough. If you gotta have it today, they are "worth" these inflated prices. If you can be patient, then they are "worth" about $550-$650.

Just before the panic, I acquired a similar package for the high gunbroker retail of $625 all-in including shipping and transfer fees. There were plenty of other similar examples sitting there not selling.

These guns have a (imo, well-deserved) reputation for poor shooting experience due to sticky cartridge extraction. A common phenomenon with these is that a new owner takes them out to the range thinking this is the perfect goldilocks between 38 spl +p and 357 magnum in a J-frame all in the cheap-shooting 9mm. After a cylinder or two, the spent cases are practically cemented to the chambers. The now-sad owner brings the 940 home, cleans it, puts it away, and never carries it nor shoots it at the range due to unreliability. This affects their value. The current cost of 9mm also detracts from the intrinsic value.

Soon enough, an appreciable percentage of the latest round of buyers of these 940s will be unloading them on gunbroker, armslist, local classifieds, etc. Bottom line, these are cool, but don't really deliver. They are not the second coming of the 547 in J frame form. On the other hand, if you are a collector, go for it.

 

[CH4]

Notwithstanding the occasional good deal, I don't see them dropping below $600, with most going online for $750+.

 

[ladder13]

Anyone want $600 for that package give me a holla.

 

[delcrossv]

At least $700 around here, more on GB.

I carry mine , great little gun.

 

[Trouthunter]

Thanks everyone.

I'll probably list it for sale when I get through with the Christmas business and have a little time since I really have no use for it.

I do appreciate the feedback and information and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a much much much better New Year.

 

[keithhagan]

Thanks everyone.

I'll probably list it for sale when I get through with the Christmas business and have a little time since I really have no use for it.

I do appreciate the feedback and information and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a much much much better New Year.

Ah, if you're curious of value for selling purposes, then, yes, now is definitely the time to unload for top dollar.

 

[slabside2]

The Smith and Wesson 940 is a great little gun with that said if you're looking for a revolver in 9mm you can't beat the Ruger LCR for shooting not collecting.

 

[M29since14]

Folks are always writing about the poor little 940 and what an awful case-sticker it is. I admit my experience is limited to my own gun, but I have never had that problem. I bought mine new when they first showed up and have used it quite a bit. It hasn't just sat in the safe. It's probably had way more handloads through it than factory loads, but no problem with either.

One thing I do remember about it was that it came with a cylinder with extremely tight exit bores (throats, some like to call them). I think they were about 0.353" or even a touch smaller. I was experimenting with lead-bullet handloads. Accuracy was bad and leading even worse. Hamilton Bowen's shop honed the bores to 0.3555" for me. Before I had the cylinder honed, I bought a replacement part, just in case. That was all for naught. The honed cylinder did just what was needed - improved accuracy, cured the leading problem, and with no change in function. Needless to say, the spare cylinder has never been used. I was just thinking... I never did check the spare to see what it measured.

I happen to like the way the 9x19 cartridge works in a J-frame. I've always thought S&W wasted their time with the 340PD and should have made a 940PD instead.