Davidson's Brings Back Smith & Wesson 940 9mm
Smith & Wesson is continuing to bring back discontinued designs, but this time, it is a little different. The Model 940, a 9mm J-frame that utilizes moon clips, is back, and it is improved. That’s right, kids, a 9mm snubbie, exclusively from Davidson’s!
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The Model 940 was previously in the S&W revolver lineup, but it was discontinued some years ago. This new iteration has several upgrades over the original. VZ Grips come standard, as well as XS Sights with an improved picture and a tritium night sight in the front blade. The barrel also includes some lightening flutes. Thankfully, like other older Smith & Wesson revolvers, the new 940 does not have the dreaded internal lock mechanism.
This is a fully stainless steel gun with a 2.17-inch barrel. It weighs in at 23.5 ounces. The hammer is fully internal, and this is a double-action-only revolver. Because the 9mm cartridge is rimless it requires the use of moon clips. Those clips retain the cartridges while they are inserted and ejected from the cylinder as a single unit. Three clips come with the gun. The MSRP is $999 and it is in stock through Gallery of Guns as of writing.
From the manufacturer:
“The Model 940 is a favorite choice among concealed carry owners and revolver enthusiasts. Features like a snag-free concealed hammer, low-profile sights, and VZ grips make it a great choice for everyday carry. Chambered in 9MM, the Model 940 combines traditional looks with modern performance.
All-Stainless Steel Construction - Offering both performance and durability in a traditional package
Front Night Sight - Tritium XS® front night sight features a larger sight size to improve the speed and ease of target acquisition.
VZ Grips® - Checkered finger groove grip for secure hold.’
AKA @fromtheguncounter on Instagram. Gun nerd, reloader, attorney, and mediocre hunter.
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Bullet Pull for all!
Listen, nothing challenges your shooting bench gunsmith skills than a 9mm revolver locked up tight with a thick wad of lead stretching between the cylinder face and forcing cone.
Wonderful memories!
I was wondering when or if someone would bring that up. I have exactly zero experience with 9mm revolvers, but I've read about bullet jump just about every time anything is written about 9mm revolvers. So I have a question: Does the size or the weight of the revolver have enough influence on recoil to mitigate the problem? In other words, does the old Smith K-frame 547 or the old Ruger Security-Six 9mm have less of a problem (due to less recoil) than, say, a J-frame or an LCR?
I had a good friend who carried a 940 and he never mentioned the problem. (After he retired, he bought a 9mm Charter, so I think he didn't worry about it.)
Theoretically (at least in my little world), it might be wiser to buy a 9mm Charter, since the cylinder turns clockwise like a Colt, so if your jumped bullet bangs against the side of the forcing cone, you can open the cylinder and the offending bullet will move away from the forcing cone, instead of being trying to force the bullet past the forcing cone, like you would on a Smith or a Ruger that developed that problem. Does that make sense, or am I just theorizing? As I said, I have zero experience with the phenomenon, so I'm asking an expert.