[Namvet]

I have seen two of these revolvers locally (Northern Virginia) in the past two weeks. These are the first I have seen in several years. Would you pay $495 for of these, used? Bear in mind that these revolvers are becoming harder and harder to find. Do they have a cult following?
Just wondering.
DRC

[Erich]

I paid $260 for mine a couple of years ago. It was used, owned by a gun dealer who'd had an action tune done.

I've got to tell you, I think that's about right for a used 940. They're good guns, the moon clips reload fast, and the 9x19 is cheap to buy and somewhat more efficient out of a snub bbl than the .38 spl is. But it's not THAT much better than a .38. And good luck finding a 158-grain bullet in 9x19. And the weight is pretty hefty for a pocket gun - it'll work in jeans, but it drags dress pants down too much (at least for me).

I mean, it's a good gun, but I just can't see paying the prices that I've been reading about lately. Maybe a used 940 is worth $300 (to me), but I think I got into mine about right at $260.

JMHO.

[Ultraman]

I just paid $415 for a 3 inch. Plus $25 shipping, plus $20 transfer fee. That's $460 out the door. The average price on GunsAmerica is just over $500. Like you said, "these revolvers are becoming harder and harder to find."
Here is MINE. (http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=12020447)

[Namvet]

Erich,
I would buy two at that price, today! Prices on some handguns are much higher in my area than others due, I think, to the high diposable incomes
in Northern Virginia and, of course, rarity or scarcity. One of the 940's I saw was $395 with box, papers, checkered Secret Service grips and a quality holster with two clips. The other was $495 with one clip and the original grips. Dealer with the less expensive gun did not fully realize the value. The other dealer did and does.($495 gun).

Ultraman,
I also feel that you got a very good deal on your 3 inch. From what I have seen, these are the rarest of the rare for this model.
Regards,
DRC

[BigG]

I know the prices fluctuate as you go around the country. Glad I left NoVA! :eek: I have the 940 and it is a nice weapon but as Erich said, it don't come with a bag of chips. I would pay about the same as a similar 38 Special Centennial, myself. What do they go for in NoVA?

[SouthpawShootr]

Just judging by the prices I've seen on www.gunbroker.com, www.auctionarms.com, and www.gunsamerica.com, I would say demand is going up. When I bought my 640 years ago, they had a 940 in the case. I looked at it and thought I would prefer the .38. Both were priced comparably (new at $340). Later it had been marked down to $300 and I still passed. Recently, I've become interested in these revolvers, but prices are much too high for a discontinued gun. I'm seeing $500-$600 for unfired to lightly used. So to answer your question, NO, I wouldn't pay that much for a discontinued 9mm revolver.

[Hutch]

If you can, demand a "right to return" if it won't extract/eject. I am getting rid of one that S&W can't make right.

[Ala Dan]

Book say's, " $250 (used) to $370 (NIB); but in
todays market I would most likely bump those figures
to $300 used and $400 NIB; but not any more than
that.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Mike Irwin]

$495 is an INSANE price.

Far above what it should be.

Which gunshop is it?

[FPrice]

I have a biker friend who swears by his 940. I've only seen one other at a gunshow and it was about $450 IIRC. I am curious if there is any advantage to a 9mm over a .38 Special out of a 2" barrel.

[Namvet]

Mike,
I agree that it is above what it should be. I don't think I would call the price insane, though. It seems to be slightly on the high side of the current market for 940's but, based upon recent pricing I have seen, it seems to be in the "ballpark".
Regards,
DRC

[Namvet]

Forgot to add that the $495 gun was at Tony Wilcox, LTD. in Warrenton.
DRC

[Coltdriver]

I paid $435 for an unfired, new in box with all the details 940 within the last year.

In shopping I found them for as little as $375 and for as much as $595

They are worth what you are willing to pay.

For my moneys worth you get 95%+ of the ballistics of a .357 out of a 2 inch barrel, cheaper ammo, easy second shot follow up, I love the moon clips and I can shoot mine all day and not wear out my hand.

They are a bit unique. Ruger makes a run of 9mm revolvers about every two years. You may be able to get a new Ruger for around $400 or less.

[Brian Williams]

I paid $300 for mine this spring and it has become my constant IWB companion ever since. They are great guns and the moonclips make for fast reloads. They also must be kept clean to prevent extraction problems.

[Mark G.]

Coltdriver,

Ruger told me on several occasions that they are stopping the run of 9mm sp101 every couple of years. They said the demand was just not there. Now whether they do ro not I don't know, just passing on what I was told by Ruger. I have a speed six 9mm 2 3/4 barrel, it sure is fun to shoot.

[only1asterisk]

I too have heard that the ruger 9mm SP101 is dead! A pity!

Back on topic: I agree with Ala Dan. I would pay about $400 for a new 3". I think they are the best thing since sliced bread, but the intro of all the small frame .357's killed them. It is a shame. When you compare top 124/125 grain bullets from a 2" barrel the difference in velocity doesn't justify burning all that additional powder.

David

[Brian D.]

Guess I'm lucky out here in some ways: we still have smaller, informal gun 'n' jewelry 'n' whatnot swap meets here in the rural parts of the state, as well as the bigger gun shows. Beat the weeds enough, I could probably find a 940 for $400 or a bit less, out the door. But, they don't pop up every weekend, that's for sure. Don't think I'd give $500+ for one, but hard-to- find items make me ponder a little harder before passing on them.

[sw442642]

I guess we wait for the Taurus 9mm to come out or see if the previous discussion of a Sc Bodyguard in 9mm comes to fruitiion.

[jdmb03]

I don't think the price is bad. If it is a gun that you really want, why not go for it? If it is over priced by $50 or so, and it is a rare gun, I'd buy it. It depends on how much you want it I guess.

[Ultraman]

Call me strange or misguided but I think it's nuts for someone to pass on a gun that they really want and have been looking for, for a LONG time because it's $50 or $60 dollars more than what some book states that it "should be" worth. Then these same people go to the range and pop off $50 worth of ammo in an hour or so and think nothing of it with their old shooters. I have MANY guns that are worth FAR MORE TO ME than they are worth in a book. In fact I was willing to pay much more for my 940 than I had too. If you want it, get it. If you wait too long, when you go to get it, it could be gone.

Me... I just buy it, and enjoy it. :) If I'm feeling a little guilty, I can always "Dry Fire" it $100 worth to off set the price. ;)

[Erich]

Just don't dry fire the 940 w/o snap caps . . . .

[Brian Williams]

Why no dryfire without snapcaps?????

[Ultraman]

The S&W Web Site states that it is safe to dry fire any S&W handgun with the exception of any .22 LR or .22 Magnum.

Almost all old timers will tell you the same thing.

Snap caps are kind of like taking a one a day vitamin tablet... you probably don't need to but it's cheap insurance.

[AK103K]

If you can, demand a "right to return" if it won't extract/eject. I am getting rid of one that S&W can't make right.
I would agree with this. I had two brand new 940's that S&W couldnt make right. Both times they locked up in under 200 rounds and had to be disassembled to get them open and unload them. The trigger could not be pulled and the cylinder latch would not open the cylinder. After the second one went back, I told them I didnt want it back in 9mm and they replaced it with a .38spl. They replaced all the guns too, the second was not just the first repaired, it was a new gun with a different number. I'm not sure if this was because they were early guns, or if the 9mm is to hot for them, but there was definitely some problem with them.

[Sludge]

Um... probably a stupid question, but did you check those guns to see if the ejector rod was unscrewing? My 625 will lock its self up from time to time because the ejector rod tends to loosen with use. Screw it back in and it works fine. I had to put a small drop of loctite on mine to correct the problem.

[AK103K]

No. it was an issue with internal parts. I know what your talking about though, had the same problem with my Model 29. Loctite did the trick for me too. Also had the screw that holds the cylinder come out on me too. Its a small one and a real treat to look for in the gravel at the range. Almost as much fun as watching the cylinder fall to the ground when you open it. :)

[Sludge]

Oh No!! now that I know about it.. its gonna happen to me for sure LOL

I bet that is a sick feeling when the gun just dismantles its self on the range LOL

[Jeff OTMG]

I got mine for $255 from KY Imports around 1997. They are worth about what any other stainless steel J-frame would go for, then maybe a little bit since they are hard to come by. I think that a used stainless 640 is around $325 in Texas, so $350 would be about right.