My Father passed away last year and he left me his M&P 340. About three months back I brought with me to the range to shoot it. It had not been since the late 1980's that I shot .357 and it was with my Dad's 686 not a snub nose. Long story short, shooting that little 340 with regular .357 was not a pleasant experience.

I could see why my Dad bought it, it is nice and small and could be easily concealed. My M@P9c has been my everyday carry since 2008 but it can be cumbersome carried concealed in the summer months when I want to wear shorts and tee shirts. So I am thinking about carrying his 340 for the summer.

Could I get some recommendations to a good .357 carry load designed for snub noses' like the 340 or 38spc +p load?

Thanks in advance.

I would recommend the Speer Gold Dot 135gr, or Federal 120gr HST ammo.

Federal Personal Defense Handgun Ammo .38 Special +P 129-gr. HST-JHP-443241 - Gander Mountain

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/27...d-hollow-point

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Mike,

I also like the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain rounds made for short barrels. Another good choice, IMO, are any of the lead SWCHP 158 grain rounds commonly called the FBI loading. Buffalo Bore makes this round in .38 Special standard loads as well as +P loadings. They also make a full wadcutter loading in full .38 Special velocity that I personally think is a great round for personal protection. Only caveat is that these rounds are not quite as easily reloaded due to their full flat bullet tips. I carry a cylinder full of these and either of the other two suggested loads as a reload since they find their way in the the cylinder chambers a bit more easily. That revolver ought to make a good EDC. Recoil will be a bit more sharp with any rounds due to the lighter weight of the gun, but you should find a manageable shooting load among these that will still deliver the mail if necessary. The FBI loads have a good and well documented record of efficiency and generally shoot close to point of aim in this caliber of revolver.

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So long ... Ken

I also favor the Speer Gold Dot load for the .38 Special. It's what I carry in my M&P 340 and my other J frames (36, 60-7, 640ND). The Speer delivers good accuracy, I shot 99% with it in my 340 on my last requal. My alternate choice would be the FBI load, which is what I have always used in my K frames, and carried in my 36 for many years.

If you want to try another .357 load in the 340 I would suggest the Remington 125gr Golden Saber. I've shot a couple of boxes thru my 340, and found it to be controllable. It's the load I've always carried in my SP-101.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

This is what I carry in my 340. I'd say the main things are to 1. Carry, and 2. Load it whichever ammo you're comfortable with. It's bound to be better than a sharp stick.

Generally I carry 2 guns and one of them is always the M&P 340. If I'm only carrying one, it's my M&P 340. I've carried both of the above loads and am very happy with them.

Part of the decision depends on your grips. If you have any of the two finger types--I would go with the Gold Dots.

If you get a different grip that fits 3 fingers & absorbs a bit more recoil, then the Ranger 357's aren't bad. I started my shooting history by shooting 357 magnums so I don't find them an issue. Some others do in a light weight gun.

Don't think you can go wrong with either.

Happy shooting,
Lad

I carry both a M&P 340 and 340 PD. Both are loaded with Federal 158gr Hydra Shock. It's just a personal preference.

My J-frame .38's are loaded with Compact Handgun Golden Saber 135gr.