S & W 940 Questions
- Thread starter bernie
- Start date
Watch Six is correct...the 940 IS built on the J frame, and full-moon clips ARE available for it...check w/S&W, Brownell's, TK Custom(moonclips.com, I think...), Ranch Products in Malinta, OH and LaPrade in Tazewell(sp-?), TN...oughta keep you busy for a coupla minutes, anyway!!!....mikey357
I just picked one up yesterday. I stopped by Wal Mart on the way to the range for 500 rounds of 9mm Winchester USA ammo at only $10.96 per 100.
This cheap ammo shoots well. It was tested for accuracy in a Belgium High Power.
The S&W 940 is a handful. Don't choke up on the boot grip too far or you will get a sore hand. Let the gun roll in your hand under recoil like a SAA.
It is interesting, the 940 was made before S&W chambered the J-frames for the .357 Magnum. But the 9mm +P+ ammo in a 940 duplicates .357 Magnum light bullet ballistics.
Once again, this gun is a handful... Not a target pitol.
A thought occurs to me...the moon clips are only necessary to eject spent cases. One could carry the gun loaded with a moonclip full of 5 rounds of 9mm.
Then, a reload could be carried flat in a Bianci Speed Strip in a pants pocket. One would not have to carry the reload in a moon clip. Of course, to eject the spent cases from the reload one would have to pop them out with a pencil or some other object.
This cheap ammo shoots well. It was tested for accuracy in a Belgium High Power.
The S&W 940 is a handful. Don't choke up on the boot grip too far or you will get a sore hand. Let the gun roll in your hand under recoil like a SAA.
It is interesting, the 940 was made before S&W chambered the J-frames for the .357 Magnum. But the 9mm +P+ ammo in a 940 duplicates .357 Magnum light bullet ballistics.
Once again, this gun is a handful... Not a target pitol.
A thought occurs to me...the moon clips are only necessary to eject spent cases. One could carry the gun loaded with a moonclip full of 5 rounds of 9mm.
Then, a reload could be carried flat in a Bianci Speed Strip in a pants pocket. One would not have to carry the reload in a moon clip. Of course, to eject the spent cases from the reload one would have to pop them out with a pencil or some other object.
940
I own a 940............before you carry it with +p or +p+ ammo try it at a range.The brass sticks in my gun with Nato, Cor-Bon and some other. But I have had no problem with Remington +p. I find that with my 2 inch version velocities are about what I get from 3 1/2 inch autos. After all the overall length of the cylinder/barrel on a 2 inch is really 3 1/4 inches. Also custom loaders can make you 9mm Federal rimmed ammo. They make the brass from another caliber. This allows you to forget the moon clips and supposedly get normal ejection. I say supposedly because I have not personally tried this. I chron'd Golden Saber 124+p at 1114, and Federal 124 tactical at 1091. The gun gives you performance above a 38+p, approaching a 357 but with less noise and a lot less recoil.
I own a 940............before you carry it with +p or +p+ ammo try it at a range.The brass sticks in my gun with Nato, Cor-Bon and some other. But I have had no problem with Remington +p. I find that with my 2 inch version velocities are about what I get from 3 1/2 inch autos. After all the overall length of the cylinder/barrel on a 2 inch is really 3 1/4 inches. Also custom loaders can make you 9mm Federal rimmed ammo. They make the brass from another caliber. This allows you to forget the moon clips and supposedly get normal ejection. I say supposedly because I have not personally tried this. I chron'd Golden Saber 124+p at 1114, and Federal 124 tactical at 1091. The gun gives you performance above a 38+p, approaching a 357 but with less noise and a lot less recoil.
The 940 is a classic DAO J-frame made of stainless steel. The only thing I would change would be to make it airweight which I believe they could now that they have the .357 Scandiums, but this is only a minor quibble
The 940 is a marvelous concealed weapon. I believe it has about the same oomp as my 640 357 Magnum snubby.
The 940 is a marvelous concealed weapon. I believe it has about the same oomp as my 640 357 Magnum snubby.
Like xcop, I have had problems with +P ammo. This was only using the Corbon 115 gr load and the factory full-moon clip. Three rounds and then the cylinder was frozen, every time. Had to thunk it open, and that's hard on the knuckles. Perhaps it would have not done this with other +P loads, but I sold it, and sometimes regret it. And, like others have said, sorta hard to pick out the front sight in lots-o-light or dimness. A change to the front sight would be a good idea but might be expensive.
Bart Noir
I'm no expert but I play one in my mind.
Bart Noir
I'm no expert but I play one in my mind.
front sight
I aM 49 and pistol sights have become somewhat difficult to see. I went to a local pharmacy and got the cheapest bright orange nail polish I could find. I put it on all my revolvers that dont have orange or red ramps. works great and as a benefit not too many people wear orange so if forced to use gun the blade should stick out quite well. I think 59 cents or so gave me a life time of sight material.
I aM 49 and pistol sights have become somewhat difficult to see. I went to a local pharmacy and got the cheapest bright orange nail polish I could find. I put it on all my revolvers that dont have orange or red ramps. works great and as a benefit not too many people wear orange so if forced to use gun the blade should stick out quite well. I think 59 cents or so gave me a life time of sight material.
S&W547/940
Inactive
I own a model 547 and model 940. Both are excellent guns. The 940 I use as a backup to my 5903 for ammo compatability and the 547 I use for off duty carry. I solved the front sight problem by taking my guns to a competent gunsmith and had the original sight milled off and then dovetailed cut to install a tritium front sight. It works extremely well for quick combat sight lineup. Make sure the gunsmith measures the height of the original sight and matches it with the tritium. I had this performed for about $95.00
I too have a 940 and agree with many comments here.
The velocities from the 115gr 9mm loads in the 940 generally surpass the .357 loads in a 3" K-frame. At the time the 2" J-frame was not available in .357 so testing was done with a 3" mod 65. The only load to beat a Corbon 115gr was the 125gr SJHP and it was a little under 100fps. The .357 needs the longer barrel to achieve its' full potential, the 9mm doesn't.
For reloads I found a coupe of boxes of 9mm Rimmed ammo at a gun show using the 115gr JHP and use that for a reloads in Bianchi Speed Strips.
I also had the front sight milled of and a black sight dovetailed in with a tritium insert. The SIG front sight from IWI just happens to be the right height. I also had the bar milled under the rear sight notch.
The velocities from the 115gr 9mm loads in the 940 generally surpass the .357 loads in a 3" K-frame. At the time the 2" J-frame was not available in .357 so testing was done with a 3" mod 65. The only load to beat a Corbon 115gr was the 125gr SJHP and it was a little under 100fps. The .357 needs the longer barrel to achieve its' full potential, the 9mm doesn't.
For reloads I found a coupe of boxes of 9mm Rimmed ammo at a gun show using the 115gr JHP and use that for a reloads in Bianchi Speed Strips.
I also had the front sight milled of and a black sight dovetailed in with a tritium insert. The SIG front sight from IWI just happens to be the right height. I also had the bar milled under the rear sight notch.
Eric Larsen
New member
After talking with a gun shop owner in Wyo, he passes on his 940 wisdom...so take it for what its worth.
The first run or so, of the 940's had problems with the +P 9mm.
Smith cured the problem later on. As far as the sticking cases, keep them terribly clean and limit your practice to a lower number each session. He says it works nicely. Only carry a gun that is clean.
I personally have the same problems with my snubbies. 357 will start to argue with you after 100-150 rnds at a time. If I last that long
357 125gr can clock 1200+ FPS from a 2" barrel. 425+ FPE is pretty darn good for a snubbie you can stick in your pocket.
A +P 9mm at 1100 FPS is 300 FPE give or take. Dead nuts between a +P 38 and 357.
Id love one and had a hard time "passing" on a really nice one lately. Maybe this summer......
Shoot well
The first run or so, of the 940's had problems with the +P 9mm.
Smith cured the problem later on. As far as the sticking cases, keep them terribly clean and limit your practice to a lower number each session. He says it works nicely. Only carry a gun that is clean.
I personally have the same problems with my snubbies. 357 will start to argue with you after 100-150 rnds at a time. If I last that long
357 125gr can clock 1200+ FPS from a 2" barrel. 425+ FPE is pretty darn good for a snubbie you can stick in your pocket.
A +P 9mm at 1100 FPS is 300 FPE give or take. Dead nuts between a +P 38 and 357.
Id love one and had a hard time "passing" on a really nice one lately. Maybe this summer......
Shoot well
Herb Leventhal
New member
940
Eric:
I have owned all manner of S&W J frames 38 , 9mm (940) and now the 357 in standard , the 649, and the 640. When the J became available in 357 I sold the 9mm.
My feeling: what advantage is there to a 9mm that requires moon clips in order to extract the cases? I find they are difficult to manipulate and were a pain in the butt. The 357 is really a blast to shoot ( pun intended) vary accurate at close range and you can always practice with 38 + P if you choose (I always shoot the 357). I was out this morning practicing with my 357 J frame. Of coarse if you want to own one just to own it I suppose that is reasonable but I know I would never use it!
Herb
Eric:
I have owned all manner of S&W J frames 38 , 9mm (940) and now the 357 in standard , the 649, and the 640. When the J became available in 357 I sold the 9mm.
My feeling: what advantage is there to a 9mm that requires moon clips in order to extract the cases? I find they are difficult to manipulate and were a pain in the butt. The 357 is really a blast to shoot ( pun intended) vary accurate at close range and you can always practice with 38 + P if you choose (I always shoot the 357). I was out this morning practicing with my 357 J frame. Of coarse if you want to own one just to own it I suppose that is reasonable but I know I would never use it!
Herb
Eric Larsen
New member
Herb,
I appreciate the words. Ive got a couple of snub 357's and love them both. Full house rounds from a snubbie are just plain fun to me, anyway. I want a 940 because they are functional, rare and a unique gun.
If you really wanted to mess some people up you could get a DE 357 mag auto and a 940 J frame...role reversal to the max.
Shoot well
I appreciate the words. Ive got a couple of snub 357's and love them both. Full house rounds from a snubbie are just plain fun to me, anyway. I want a 940 because they are functional, rare and a unique gun.
If you really wanted to mess some people up you could get a DE 357 mag auto and a 940 J frame...role reversal to the max.
Shoot well