Smith & Wesson’s 5-Shot 9mm Revolver Is Back From the Dead: The 940

Published on May 20, 2026
Duration: 11:31

This review of the Smith & Wesson Model 940, a resurrected 9mm revolver, highlights its impracticality due to weight and low capacity but praises its 9mm commonality and potential for self-defense. The presenter, a firearms instructor, details its reliance on moon clips for rimless 9mm cartridges, its recoil characteristics, and its surprisingly effective accuracy with hollow points. Despite its drawbacks, the 940 is presented as a functional, albeit niche, firearm with heirloom potential.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson Model 940 is a 5-shot, stainless steel 9mm revolver that requires moon clips due to the rimless nature of 9mm ammunition. While impractical in terms of capacity and weight compared to semi-automatics, it offers the commonality of 9mm ammunition and the inherent reliability of a revolver.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: The Return of the 940
  2. 00:1490s Icons Making a Comeback
  3. 00:33Introducing the Smith & Wesson Model 940
  4. 00:51Why the 940 is Impractical
  5. 00:55Weight and Capacity Comparison
  6. 01:13The 9mm Revolver & Moon Clips
  7. 01:34Recoil and Energy Transfer
  8. 01:49MSRP and Value Proposition
  9. 01:54Why I Love It Anyway: 9mm Ammunition
  10. 02:079mm vs. .38 Special Power Comparison
  11. 02:35Barrel Length Considerations
  12. 02:55Performance on the Chronograph
  13. 03:15Accuracy with Hollow Points
  14. 04:05Moon Clip Functionality
  15. 04:10History of the Smith & Wesson 940
  16. 05:13Why the 940 Makes Sense Now
  17. 05:35Shooting Experience: Sights and Trigger
  18. 06:25Suitability for New Shooters
  19. 06:53Recoil Management and Ammunition Choice
  20. 07:07Grips and Concealability
  21. 07:28Why the 940 is Good for Beginners
  22. 08:04Simplicity and Reliability
  23. 08:13Trigger Pull and Shooting Experience
  24. 08:24Hammerless Design Benefits
  25. 08:41Final Verdict: Pros and Cons
  26. 08:55Concealed Carry Suitability
  27. 09:01Capacity vs. Semi-Automatics
  28. 09:13Practice for the Trigger
  29. 09:30Fun Factor and Heirloom Quality
  30. 09:48Price Point and Value
  31. 10:08Conclusion: Functional and Stylish
  32. 10:39Thanks and Sponsors

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Smith & Wesson Model 940 impractical?

The Smith & Wesson Model 940 is considered impractical due to its relatively heavy weight (23.5 ounces) for its small size and its limited capacity of only five rounds. This is significantly less capacity than comparable 9mm semi-automatic pistols.

Why does the 9mm revolver require moon clips?

9mm cartridges are rimless, meaning they lack the rim that traditional revolvers are designed to headspace on. Moon clips are used with the Model 940 to hold the 9mm rounds together, allowing them to be loaded and extracted from the cylinder as a unit, ensuring proper alignment and function.

How does the 9mm cartridge compare to .38 Special in terms of power?

The 9mm cartridge is generally more powerful than .38 Special. Standard 9mm operates at much higher pressures (around 35,000 PSI) compared to .38 Special (around half that), resulting in higher velocities and greater energy transfer, even from short barrels.

Is the Smith & Wesson Model 940 suitable for new shooters?

Yes, the Model 940 can be a good option for beginners due to its simplicity and inherent safety features like a hammerless, double-action-only design. However, the heavy double-action trigger pull requires practice to master for accurate shooting.

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