340PD - ultimate lightweight carry gun or bag of frustration?

Mj1268 · #51 02-04-2013, 03:04 PM

I have a 340PD. I love it. I carry it with 158grain 357's. The 1st time I fired it with these I thought I was holding the gun wrong so I then regripped and did a double tap. The webbing on my hand split wide open. I cant even describe how it felt without a whole bunch of cuss words. BUT then I decided to try many different grips. To make a long story short I ended up with Uncle Mikes closed back grips with the pinky grip. I also carry it in my pants using the Universal "ClipDraw". It's the NUTZ! I highly recommend these.

I like the revolver because it will never jam, no stove pipes, no safety needed, no cocking as its always ready to go just point and shoot. With 357's its my main gun.

I also tried plain old 38's, Specials and +P's but I really like the power of the 357. I especially like it after reading a recent article about a home invader ( Atlanta Area) being shot 5x with a 38 special and still being able to flee on foot. I do not think that would happen with 357's and if it does the intruder is a level 10 Zombie and you will need 10lbs of C4 to take it out!

The goal it to never have to use it but if I do I want some firepower in it which is why I bought a 357 in the 1st place.

The Pro's far outweigh the Cons IMO!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTaylor

I put a couple of Walthers up for sale and want to get a lightweight J-Frame for everyday carry. I will probably be shooting regular .38 special rounds through it most of the time. Weight is a big factor and the 340PD looks like maybe the lightest current production J-Frame? It looks to be just about the perfect self defense gun for my needs at 11.4 Oz. I could look at a used 342 at under 11 Oz, but being able to shoot .357 rounds should I change my mind later is appealing. Also, it looks like the 342 goes for close to the same price as a 340PD? So, I was really thinking this was the gun for me. However, as I research it more I'm starting to see things about bullet-pull, temperamental titanium, and no bullets under 125 grains. How much of a problem are these issues? If the gun is having this many problems, why is S&W still making it? Should I look in another direction? Kind of bummed as this looked like the perfect gun for me. Any thoughts? If you own this gun, would you buy it again? Do the Pros outweigh the Cons?

Thanks for any insight,

JT

JParanee · #52 02-05-2013, 11:41 PM

I have a 360 PD and love carrying it

I have Badger grips and its a handful but not like some are saying in my experience

Don't shoot bullets under suggested weight and I have had no issues with the titanium cylinders

luangtom · #53 02-06-2013, 01:06 PM

I have had a 340PD since they came out. It is one of those shoot-a-little-carry-a-lot guns. I have had no hiccups with it. I stoke it with Speer GDHP with the 135-gr .38-spl +P for short-barrels. The option to carry the .357 is still there. Oh, I also traded the red-ramp front-sight for an XS Regular-dot.

I also have a M&P340, stoke it with the same rounds and only one issue and S&W fixed that. Loose barrel that got tightened.

MikeyB · #54 02-08-2013, 07:31 PM

I carry a M&P 360 and for me the Pachmayr Compac grips helps tame the .357 mag loads. More bulky than the boot grips but still manageable for conceal carry.

myhardtop · #55 02-10-2013, 06:32 PM

I own 2 of these and love them. Sure they are alittle dicey with full load 357's. I have Esmeralda open back wood grips that fit my hand great and a bobbed hammer. Shooting 38's is alot of fun. It is in my front pocket and the other in my coat. Both are loaded with 2 each of Plus P's. and the last 3 are 158 grain HP 357's. If you are afraid of recoil, this is not for you. I have had my right thumb rebuilt a few years ago and has no effect at all. Love it!! I am also in my mid 60's. Another great carry is the N frame 327 PC. I carry this one when I have a long shirt or jacket on. Now thats a great carry with 8 shots. They are pricey but worth every penny.

beemerphile · #56 02-10-2013, 10:07 PM

The 2 ounce difference between the M&P and the PD is significant for some forms of carry - like pocket carry (with a pocket holster) in dress pants. For other forms of carry, like IWB, OWB the difference is insignificant.

For pocket carry it is unsurpassed. I have the 342PD too and since I only carry the 340PD with .38 Spl. Short Barrel Gold Dots, it would have been as good. Knowing what I know now, I would have bought the 342PD instead. I have gotten over any desire to load the 340PD with .357's. Kills on one end and maims on the other.

M29since14 · #57 02-10-2013, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beemerphile

...Knowing what I know now, I would have bought the 342PD instead. I have gotten over any desire to load the 340PD with .357's. Kills on one end and mains on the other.

Maybe a little overly dramatic, but I have to agree.

Hind-sight is usually 20-20 (or better!) and I too can honestly say I would prefer a 342PD to my 340PD, knowing what I know now. That is not to say I have anything against the 340. It's a great little gun. I am just confident the 342 would do anything I want a gun like that to do. Maybe someday one will come along...

tomcatt51 · #58 02-11-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M29since14

I too can honestly say I would prefer a 342PD to my 340PD,

Yep. I have a 342 and like it. 357's in a gun this weight are nuts. Even with pachmayrs modified to actually fit my hands, Speer 135 SB HPs loaded to just over factory velocities are all I want to shoot. Scandium and titanium, great carry gun.

mbliss57 · #59 02-12-2013, 09:12 PM

I bought one for the same reason you did. After shooting .357 magnums through it several times I sold it, bought a 640 Pro and never looked back. SC/TI are cool high strength alloys. Steel is old school, weighs more and therefore I can handle .357s with it with no problems. It's now my EDC.
Bag of Frustation to answer your question

sourdough44 · #60 02-13-2013, 01:38 AM

Plenty of opinions, here's another. I have the 340PD, easy carry. I don't see any reason to shoot full house 357 loads in it, 38 spcl +p is plenty for me. I also don't consider it a 'range gun', a little testing then carry. I have no intention if running up a high round count with mine.

tomcatt51 · #61 02-13-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough44

I have the 340PD, easy carry. I don't see any reason to shoot full house 357 loads in it, 38 spcl +p is plenty for me. I also don't consider it a 'range gun',

Same here with my 342. I do shoot our PPC "BUG" matches with it when I can. Reminds me to practice with it more often. I'm amazed at how badly members shoot our PPC "BUG" matches. Target is a B-27 from 4 to 10 yards. If I wanted a gun to shoot regularly I would have an all steel J frame (the extra weight does make them easier to shoot) but I got the 342 to carry, not play with.

What's nice to shoot and what's nice to carry are usually different things.

Gauger · #62 02-13-2013, 09:45 PM

I would suggest the MP360. At 14oz it is a shade heavier, it still kicks like a mule, I change the grips to a pair of VZ grips that as my friends say feels like sandpaper. I can run 38spl all day with no problems.