J-Frame model 40

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PX15

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Hopefully I'm getting a model 40 in great, but not "unfired" condition.

I am considering it as my conceal carry revolver and just wondered if anyone else was doing so, or had opinions about my potentially doing so.

I've always just liked the "looks" of the grip safety models, and even tho I have several other snubbies (S/W 49/638 & Colt DS/Cobras) I just thought the unique appearance and rarity of the 40 would make it a neat carry firearm.

I'm not a believer in "safe queens" anyway, so the aspect of not shooting (and enjoying) the 40 was never a consideration when I decided to purchase one.

I know the trigger won't be as nice as that on my 638 (target trigger), but I keep reading about being able to change out the springs with Woolf (8lb?) and winding up with a nicer, lighter, still reliable trigger.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.
JP
 
I have two early M40s (with safeties) and love them. My favorite carry revolvers. The older one is in sad shape, having been allowed to rust when stored on a boat by a previous owner. I bought it and carried the hell out of since I couldn't hurt it any more than it already was. Recently I bought a nearly pristine example but I can't part with the old one. Not that anyone would want to buy it, anyway.

My newer one


Old one with stags
 
thatguy said:
I have two early M40s (with safeties) and love them. My favorite carry revolvers. The older one is in sad shape, having been allowed to rust when stored on a boat by a previous owner. I bought it and carried the hell out of since I couldn't hurt it any more than it already was. Recently I bought a nearly pristine example but I can't part with the old one. Not that anyone would want to buy it, anyway.

My newer one


Old one with

stags
Click to expand...

Both your J-Frames are nice. I think my 40 will (hopefully) be in similiar shape to your newer revolver, but I've got a couple of old Cobra's that have seen a lot of use over the years, but I just can't bear to part with them either. I have a lot of respect for old, well used things now that I belong in the same category.

Thanks for the input.

Best Wishes,
JP
 
I've got an old model 40 that I carry in the summer,in a Don Hume IWB holster.It's a little heavier than the new alloy guns,but I like it.Mine came with a trigger shoe and grip adapter installed.The usefulness of the shoe is debatable,but the grip adapter really works,and allows use of the original small grips.
 
S&W44 said:
I've got an old model 40 that I carry in the summer,in a Don Hume IWB holster.It's a little heavier than the new alloy guns,but I like it.Mine came with a trigger shoe and grip adapter installed.The usefulness of the shoe is debatable,but the grip adapter really works,and allows use of the original small grips.
Click to expand...

Thanks.. I found an original black/blue Tyler-Tgrip on Ebay, and I've got it stashed waiting for the 40.

I'm 62 years old and I've never seen a 40/42 in any gun/pawn shop I've ever been in here in Georgia.

I just like the unique looks and rarity of the safety grip models and now in my "doteage" I'm managed to run up on a nice one I could afford.

Thanks for responding.

Best Wishes,
JP
 
I had:( a S&W model 40 S/N L9XXX back in the mid 70's~!:uhoh: I liked the
looks of it, but never carried it, or even shot it. It was a "safe queen" 'till
some one came along with a pocket full of $$$$, and wanted it worst than
me.:D All said and done, I wished I had it back.:)
 
Ala Dan said:
I had:( a S&W model 40 S/N L9XXX back in the mid 70's~!:uhoh: I liked the
looks of it, but never carried it, or even shot it. It was a "safe queen" 'till
some one came along with a pocket full of $$$$, and wanted it worst than
me.:D All said and done, I wished I had it back.:)
Click to expand...

Hey, I've got a pile of those "wish I'd never sold it" stories. A pristine Belgian Browning HiPower comes to mind..

I've gotten to the point where I've sold or given away all of the firearms I really wasn't crazy about, and when I buy something now I don't sell anything to pay for it.

Best Wishes,
JP
 
They are classy guns, a friend of mine owns this one and I want it!!!!!
.....tom

dscn24218yc.jpg
 
lyricsdad said:
wow those are classy looking.. i like where the grip safety is.. and how it looks.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I think too.

On another subject, Our GSU Eagles played the Jackrabbits recently, and I don't think it'll be many seasons before the SDSU football program will be in the playoff's each year.

Nice bunch of folks at SDSU and a classy bunch of players. Everyone I spoke to really enjoyed the 2 games we've had, and wish SDSU all the success in the world in the future.

It's much easier build a better football team each year with quality recruiting, and good coaching. It's much more difficult to teach players class, but your SDSU Jackrabbits already have that. You should be proud of the whole program.



Best Wishes,
JP
 
I also have owned and sold two 40's and one 42 in the past. Never took the grips off any of them, but my understanding is early 40's came with a pin hidden in grip frame you could use to pin safety in deactivated postion if you so desired.
 
popeye said:
I also have owned and sold two 40's and one 42 in the past. Never took the grips off any of them, but my understanding is early 40's came with a pin hidden in grip frame you could use to pin safety in deactivated postion if you so desired.
Click to expand...

After I made a post on www.smith&wesson.com regarding the 40 several people mentioned about the "pin safety" that should be hidden behind the grips. I was confused about what the pin was for until someone kindly explained it to me.

Nice touch, but if someone deliberately bought the little 40/42 wonder why they might want to deactivate the grip safety aspect?

The only reason I would take off the "high horn" special grips on the 40 would be if I enjoyed shooting the revolver enough that I might choose to use it as my cc choice. If I did that I would prefer putting Crimson Trace Lasergrips on it. Of course then I would keep the "high horns" stashed away.

I don't think there's a logical choice for choosing to carry the 40/42 as opposed to some of the newer J-Frames which come in all sorts of variations except for the fact that I like the unique looks, I hate the new "safety"s and since I'm old I just seem to appreciate older things.

You never see the grip safety models, or at least I haven't in the past, and I think they're just kinda special.

I like the picture that "thatguy" posted of the 40 he "rescued" from someplace where it was stashed on a boat. Neat that he appreciates it, even tho it's not the prettiest pig in the pen.... Even abused guns need love....

Best Wishes,
JP
 
The Centennial was brought out as a modern version of the old Safety models Smith produced, and as special model celebrating the 100 year anniversary of S&W. Some people felt the safety rib was a hindrance to a carry weapon, hence the pin. Same thing in the 1911 world, some people pin the grip safety. The high horn original 40 frame has a smaller "half moon" slot milled in the top of the grip area, making original grips harder to find than model 12's. But I have modified standard K grips to fit a 12, and Standard J (plastic pearl) to fit a 40. I know.....Who cares.
 
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