I finally bought my first J-frame, a S&W 940.

[gulogulo1970]

My first J-frame, a S&W 940.

I bought a 9mm S&W 940 no dash. I have not shot it yet as I only got it on Thursday. I'm amazed by the quickness of the action. (Mostly up until now, I've shot Colt snubs.) The hammer falling almost suprises me with this gun. Size is pretty close to my Cobra, little smaller. Hope it shoots as good as it feels in my hand.

I've heard of extraction problems with this model, hopefully I'll get lucky and have bought one that doesn't have this problem. Cross my fingers...

Here's a quick photo.

 

[Coltdriver]

I used to have a 940. They are a sweet j frame. The weight soaks up 9mm ammo real well.

I found extraction varied with the ammo type. Some ammo would always stick a lot, some other brands not at all. I also found that not all ammo will work in them. For example, nyclad's would not fit in mine. I could have had a smith ream the cylinder to extend the case a bit further into the cylinder but that was not a practical solution for me.

The really good news is that if you ever ruin it and you send it to S&W for a repair that they can not perform they will sell you a nice PD revolver for about $100.

And if you ever run out of moon clips get some from S&W. They are cheap and S&W will provide you with the very thin ones that work best with the 940. I got a pack of them for about $5.

 

[gulogulo1970]

Coltdriver, thanks for the information.

I'm going to go shoot it in about an hour. I just have to get off my butt and go.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I shot it and we did very well. My groups were a little bigger than hand sized at 7 yards, shooting as fast as I safely could. I do need more full moon clips. I only have 3 so reloading was a little slow. I need to order another 15 or so from S&W.

I shot the WWB 115gr JHP and the Remington 115gr JHP 100 round value pack ammo. The Remington seemed hotter but it just may have had more muzzle flash. None of the cases stuck at all. It shot point of aim with both loads. I doubt I'll use any +P in it very often.

I'm pretty happy. I have found a gun with more oumph than a 38 but less, axe handle to your palm, pain and blast of a 357.

 

[Coltdriver]

You can also get a moon clip tool which is like a hollow screwdriver with a cut in the top so that you can easily remove a case from a moon clip. The case drops into the hollow part of the tool. Makes stripping a moon clip about a five second operation and it won't bend your moon clips.

 

[Mercury]

Just as Coltdriver says, I have one of these and it works great!

https://www.moonclips.com/cart/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=47&cat=S+&+W+-+Unloading+Tools

 

[Brian Williams]

I liked my 940 but I like a 642 better, I will like my 642 even better when it comes back with a 940 cylinder installed

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Hey, I saw one of these on www.gunbroker.com a short while ago for $700. Do you believe it? Don't think anybody bought it and they are certainly mildly collectible, but let's get real. Years ago when I was getting my 640, the dealer also had a 940 in the case for $20 less. Wish I'd bought that one instead. Could always have picked up a 640 later. Oh well, more proof that hindsight is 20/20.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I won this one on Auction Arms for $453.00 not too bad.

Seven hundred!? Too rich for me. I would have gone as high as $525. I know that is even too much, but I really wanted one.

 

[BigG]

Congratulations on your new hardware. I've got one too, and they are a real nice tool. The extraction problems come with different brands of ammo. Some stick and some don't, so try a few types till you find out what works. WW White box works fine in mine.

Like Brian Williams, I wish they made them in an alloy frame, as that adds the final bit of frosting on the cake. Heck, I wish they still made them at all, now.