Loads for an S&W 940-1 9mm

[Gray Fox]

I'm picking up a nice Smith 940-1 9mm next week and am wondering if any of you have come up with a defensive load that might work. I've got a couple ideas since this is a revolver: I've got some Berry 148 grain plated DEWC that are undersized at .356 and some of the Lyman 9mm Devastator boolits that weigh 135 grains and are at .356 also. Any ideas on loads for these projectiles? My fall back for published data will be the Hogdon site, but I doubt they have any data for a 2" barrel. All ideas will be welcome. GF

[Outpost75]

My advice is to stay on the mild and conservative side with heavy bullets in the 9mm.
I load 3 grains of Bullseye with a 147 cast in my 940.

[35remington]

Since the DEWC have the potential to enormously reduce the already tiny volume of the 9mm case, and reduced case volume is big trouble, be especially careful with those. The internal case wall taper of the 9mm case may limit the amount the bullet can be seated into the case while still allowing the assembled cartridge to fit in the chamber in any event.

The Devastator bullet is heavyish and if not for the hollow point would be even heavier approximating a 147-150 grain projectile in terms of case space it takes up in the dinky case. As Outpost said, proceed with caution. Do a lot of reading and gather data from reliable sources before starting low and going from there.

A chronograph would be of vast help.

[Outpost75]

FYI here is new Accurate bullet I ordered for my S&W 940, which happens to shoot to the sights with factory Remington 146-grain LRN .38 S&W ammo, and also with Speer 9mm 147-grain Gold Dot G2.

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