Smith & Wesson Model 940-3 9mm
Model: 14295
Smith & Wesson Model 940-3 9mm
Model: 14295
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Smith & Wesson Model 940-3 is a five-shot stainless revolver in 9mm built for pocket and concealed carry, and it has an MSRP of $899. Its fluted cylinder is cut for full moon clips, so a 9mm load goes in as one piece instead of round by round, and three clips come with it.
The hammer is concealed inside the frame, so there is nothing to catch on a pocket or a cover garment, and the trigger is double action on every shot. The front sight is an XS tritium unit and the rear a dovetailed U-notch, which can be drifted or replaced. There is no internal lock in the frame. The grip is a Hogue OverMolded rubber Bantam boot grip, which stops at the frame so it does not print through a pocket.
If you're cross-shopping, the Ruger LCR in 9mm has an MSRP of $879 and holds the same five rounds at 17.2 oz, 5.8 oz lighter, on a shorter 1.87-inch barrel, with a polymer fire control housing where the S&W is stainless throughout. The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus has an MSRP of $499, weighs 20.2 oz, 2.8 oz less, holds 10 rounds on a 3.1-inch barrel and reloads from a magazine.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The frame, barrel and cylinder are all stainless steel, so there is no finish to wear through in a pocket.
- The barrel has a 1 in 10 right-hand twist, the same as S&W's 9mm pistols.
- Three full moon clips come with the revolver, which is enough to keep one loaded in the gun and two spares.
- 9mm cases are rimless, so the extractor needs a moon clip to pull them, and a cylinder loaded loose has to be poked clear.
- At that weight on a 2.17-inch barrel it is heavy for its size, because the frame is steel and not alloy.
- The 1.31-inch cylinder width is wider than any flat semi-auto.
Category Rankings
How the Smith & Wesson Model 940-3 9mm ranks among subcompact 9mm Luger handguns.
Compatible Ammunition
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9mm Luger Ballistics →Alternatives to Consider
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Glock G26 Gen5 9mm
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Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus 9mm
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Glock G43 9mm
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it need moon clips?
The cylinder is cut for them. A 9mm case has no rim for the star extractor to grab, so the clip holds the rounds together for loading and extraction.
Does it have the internal lock?
No. S&W lists this revolver as having no internal lock.
What sights does it have?
An XS tritium front sight in a larger size, and a dovetailed U-notch rear.
What grip does it come with?
A Hogue OverMolded rubber Bantam boot grip.
