SW 9mm Revolver

[StarshooterX]

Greetings. I have always thought of "S&W" when the word revolver comes up. Just my revolver choice since my great grandpa passed along his .38 Special police revolver he carried on duty which I now cherish.

I've been out of the loop until recently, but I see that S&W (and a few other) revolvers are "outfitted" with special clips to handle 9mm rounds. I really love 9mm and shoot (and recently load) tons with my Glocks. But I'd fancy a small carry sized 9mm revolver for a BUG.

Revolver triggers are typically a bit hard to pull, but I'd like some feedback on the 9mm revolver. Is it worth a look for a small carry gun for the wife's pocketbook? And just a cool gun to have fun with?

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The only Smith I'm aware of that fits your bill is the M940. It's an all stainless steel 5-shot J-frame Centennial design. Which means it has an internal hammer and can only be shot double-action. Unlike your grandps's gun.

The M940 is not currently in production, and was not made in large numbers. They're not really rare, though, and they turn up for sale from time to time. Something in the $500 to $650 range could bring one home, I think pretty easily.

There is another 9mm Smith in production, the 968, and another one, a N-frame (even larger, can't remember it's model number). But these guns are full sized revolvers and not ideal for concealed carry.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I should also mention the Model 547. It was a 9mm revolver S&W made in the late '70's early '80's. A 4 & 3-inch blue K-frame. Didn't use moon clips. Kind of a strange bird. Highly collectible. Even well worn ones will sell for $800+. Perfect NIB examples can go for a couple of grand. A very interesting revolver if you have that kind of budget.

 

[AzShooter]

There is also the 986 and the 929.

The 986 is a 7 shot made on the L-Frame. The 929 is larger, an N-Frame and has 8 shots. It comes with a 6 inch barrel while the 986 comes with a 5 inch.

There may be other models as well.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

StarshooterX sounds like you're after a 940 as the others have said..
The DAO triggers on all I have seen are really nice & are smooth & light.
Also Ruger now sells their LCR in 9mm as does Taurus the 905 IIRC?
I plan on picking up another 940/940-1 soon & it's possible that the moon clips for the Ruger & Taurus might work in the S&W if they are the right thickness, I know that the Ruger SP101 9mms moons can be used in the 940.. TK & Ranch products sell aftermarket moons as well..

 

[colt_saa]

Revolver triggers are typically a bit hard to pull, but I'd like some feedback on the 9mm revolver. Is it worth a look for a small carry gun for the wife's pocketbook? And just a cool gun to have fun with?

As has already been stated, the only production Smith and Wesson that fits this bill is the 940. Many, many thousands of these were produced from 1991 through 1998. Most 940s had 2" barrels but some were produced with 3" tubes. BTW, this revolver could also safely chamber and fire 380ACP. These do not come up that often because those of us that own them really like them

There were also some Performance Center 940 Specials chambered for the very powerful 356TSW cartridge. 356TSW operates at pressures well above 9MM (9mm 35K PSI, 356 50k PSI). The 356TSW produces 357 Magnum velocities with the 125 and 147 grain projectiles. These Performance Center 940 Specials could also chamber and fire 9x21, 9MM Parabellum(9x19) and 380ACP with no problems. These Performance Center 940 Specials much are harder to come by than the production 940s and command very high prices

If a used stainless Centennial is not your cup of tea or the prices on these well loved models becomes out of line, you can convert a new firearm

It is relatively easy to convert most any modern Smith and Wesson to chamber and shoot the 9mm Parabellum cartridge in moon clips.

Anything from a stainless model 60 or 649 to a Scandium framed model 360 or 340.

Gunsmiths like Mark at Pinnacle or the guys over at TK can do the work, all you need to send them is the cylinder.

I have opened up my 940s so that they can fire 38 Super, this also add 38ACP to the list of cartridges that will work in the moon clip revolvers

As to triggers, they are like all other J-frame triggers. Some are good, some are bad and all will smooth out over time.

 

[ruger 22]

If you can convert a 640 to shoot 9mm, would this create a dangerous pressure problem? Most 38 spls run between 15-20 k poungs pressure. I believe the 9mm is in the mid 30 thousand area. I guess if the 640 were a 357 mag it would work but how about all the 640 in 38 special only? Other than cheap factory practice ammo what would be an advantage of converting to 9?Handloading either the 38spl or the 357 mag can produce loads far ahead of any 9.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

......what would be an advantage of converting to 9?.....

People like what they like, the reason's don't always make perfect sense. You can't deny the popularity of the 9mm cartridge, in general. I think the cheap ammo, which you already mentioned, is a biggie.

And a lot of shooters like moon clips. They even convert rimmed cartridge guns to take moon clips. Not to shoot rimless cartridges, but to shoot rimmed cartridges with moon clips.

 

[SilentKnight]

I like moon clips for a revolver. Fast reload. If you like 9mm it is a proven round and not as hard for a beginner to handle. It is much cheaper than 380 ammo so you can shoot a lot more for training. If you like it, can hit what you aim at, that is what matters most. If you want to have a concealable firearm that is a good one. J frame S&Ws are fine firearms and are proven. Get what you like and train like your life depends on it. It just might. Good luck.

 

[bananaman]

I am a S&W revolver owner and fan. Wanted a .40 revolver. SO....... I ended up with a Charter Arms Pitbull. It is light, and has a 2.3" barrel. They make it in a 9mm also. Lifetime warranty. The .40 is fun to shoot, but is a little snappy. Bob

 

[g-dad]

Another vote here for the 940. I have a 2" and here is a pic of my 3" that colt saa mentioned in his post. It's a great gun and you have the choice of many stock /grip options.

 

[tekarra]

I drool whenever I see a 3" 940.

 

[clarkstoncz]

Like Walther with the new M2 PPS for 2016.

Smith needs to get smart and listen to those of us who want
to see the 940s again, along with other 9mm J and K frames.