Smith & Wesson Model 940 Centennial

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Anyone have one of these?

Or one of it's Older Brothers? The Model 40 Centennial

 

[CJSmith]

This is timely for me. I was poking around the safe yesterday and pulled out my 940. I left it in my safe's "top/to shoot next time I go the range shelf." When I saw it at my LGS whenever ago, I thought it was too cool to pass up. Now, it really just sits in the safe waiting for me to be inspired to shoot it or maybe trade it some day.

 

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Model 40

The 940 isn't a lot of fun to shoot!

 

[Erocksmash]

Don't have one and I've gone back and forth about getting one... quite honestly its the only J frame I would entertain... really cool !

 

[ladder13]

Throw some Gold Dots in it and.....

 

[WCCPHD]

My 940 was my every day carry until I got the Sig P365. May not carry it, but its not for sale.

 

[22hipower]

Yes, one of each; a 940-1 and a pre-40 from 1952. Haven't gotten around to shooting either of them, maybe one of these days.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[H Richard]

I had one of each, and the 940 was the most unwanted shooter I had. It had the sharpest recoil and bit my thumb joint with every round. It was a neat gun, I liked the moon clips, but it just wasn't any fun to shoot. here's al 3, 940, 640, 40.

 

[colt_saa]

As far as I am concerned, the Smith and Wesson Centennial is the best choice that thee is for pocket or purse carry

I have several set up for teaching classes

All ofmy 940s now have their chambers opened up for 38 Super

An the PC 940 Special is chamberes in the powerful 356TSW cartridge

These are GREAT little Power Houses

And if you are headed out to the BBQ, there is always this one

Yep, I like the Centennials

 

[Gearhead Jim]

I owned a 940, it looked neat and the ammo was compatible with my duty gun if I avoided +P+. So I carried it in my right-front pocket as a backup/OD gun for a year.
Finally traded it for a 340PD because, for me-
Too heavy. Made my pants sag. I could always feel it was there. If I had to run, it felt like an angry tomcat trying to escape from the pocket.
Moon clips got bent easily and would tie up the gun.
Carrying an extra moon clip in my pocket was like carrying an extra cylinder- looked like I was smuggling golf balls.
No low recoil factory loads available at that time, so it stung my hand.
Not sure if it was primer backout or something else, but sometimes I'd fire a couple of shots and then the trigger would get really heavy from some kind of drag.

The theory was great but the practice, not so much.

 

[CJSmith]

As far as I am concerned, the Smith and Wesson Centennial is the best choice that thee is for pocket or purse carry

After I posted this earlier, I threw it in the front right pocket of my jeans just to see how it felt. Granted, it was unloaded so a tad lighter but I totally forgot it was in my pocket when I thought about it a couple of hours later.

Shooting it has never bothered me. It didn't seem much different than shooting a 38 special out of a 640.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I like mine.

I only shoot .357 in my 640 Pro so the 940 is a kitty cat.

 

[Rock185]

I've had a 640 for many years, and acquired a 642 and 940 over the last several years. Some 9MM ammo chronographed in the 940 with that little short barrel is more energetic some might imagine. Some higher pressure stuff causes sticky extraction in my 940, but the Ruger SP101 handles all 9MM I've tried without issue. Much as I like the 940, if forced to choose between the two, I'd take the SP101......ymmv

 

[jcelect]

Centennials ?

Centennials, who don't like them!

Still searching for the 632 Pro, the 356TSW(pocket rocket) and a pre 42 in the red box!
jcelect

 

[Doug M.]

I have one. I am not a fan of J frames in general, and the 940 is not going to make me a convert. It is heavy for what it delivers, and unpleasant to shoot. It does however fit a narrow niche, so I keep it.

 

[7shooter]

I had one of the early 940s. It had more felt recoil than.357 in my other jframe. It also would not eject the spent cases. I sent it back several times. They denied it wasn’t a problem and said I was using the wrong ammunition even though I tried a half dozen different brands. Eventually without asking me they sent me a 640 in .357. I was happy with that but I did think they should have asked me first

 

[seldon14]

Centennials, who don't like them!

Still searching for the 632 Pro, the 356TSW(pocket rocket) and a pre 42 in the red box!
jcelect

Oh man, there is a lot to be jealous of there.

 

[mikerjf]

"Homeowner clubbed with frozen salami while deciding which gun to defend himself with..."

 

[plvickers]

I have a 940. Carry two moonclip reloads in a plastic pill bottle in front pocket on opposite side.