.. a 13.3 oz. J Frame. I have a 686, 4" that rocks my boat with Buffalo Bore 170 grain, Black Hills 158 grain and Remington 125 grain jacketed bullets. I am scrared to shoot these in the light J Frame, but want more than a .38 +P. What ammunition to you use in your light J Frame ?

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Hook686

I've owned a 340PD since they became available. I fired 5 rds of 357 on one occasion and never plan to do it again.

Greater stopping power is good only if you can still control the gun, and can occasionally practice with your carry loads.

I carry the Speer +P 135 gr 38 loads. They have a good track record in NY where the revolver holdouts carry them, I can control the gun, and i can fire 10 rds for familiarization with minimal pain.

For most practice, I use light handloads or Win 130 gr FMJ from Walmart. Also practice with my 317, soon to be replaced by a 43C.

Another vote for the 135 grain Speer +P 38's. My 340 M&P goes on with my pants and stay's with me till I go to bed. It's the finest all day, everyday gun I own. Mine isn't pretty anymore but it's got a lot of miles on it. The magnum loads are pretty hard to handle in any quantity.

I think you should try shooting a "FEW" 357 mags from the Airlite before you wish for something more than the +P 38s, Your hand will thank you..
The Airlites realy do carry better in the pocket than any other revolver..
Congrats Hook686
Gary/Hk

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

You might want to try the Speer 357 GDSB 135gr. It is the same projectile as the 38 GDSB as far as I know, but carries a bit more velocity. Still quite manageable, imho. I confess, I don't have one of those atomic guns to try it out in, but it is very easy to handle in my 649.

ETA, here are links to the Speer detail pages on the 38 and the 357:

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics...x?loadNo=23921
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics...x?loadNo=23917

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

am going to try those Speer loads, both the .357 magnum and the .38+P. Thanks.

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Hook686

Everyone handles recoil differently. Try some before you decide against it. While there is no one that will describe firing full magnum ammunition from a model 340 as pleasant or fun, it most certainly is controllable with practice. Any of the shooters that can control the snub nosed 44 or 41 magnums will not have problems shooting a 340.



I have several 357 magnum J-frame revolvers. I got my 340PD as soon as they came out. Your M&P340 is 20% heavier than the 340PD due to the cylinder being stainless instead of titanium. My 340PD has had perhaps close to 5000 rounds through it by now. Not a single round was 38 Special. Many other forum members have similar counts through their 340 and 360 revolvers.

My initial carry round was the now discontinued Winchester 180 Ranger SXT. That and some leftover Remington 158 SJSP were used at the range. When the Ranger ammunition supply dried up I transitioned to the Hornady Custom 140 XTP loading and the Speer 125 GD.

Obviously the 340/360 family of revolvers is not going to be for every buyer. Thankfully we have the 442/37 family and the 640/60 family to choose from as well.

Unless you want to turn in your man card-I would suggest you shoot the Buffalo Bore 170 grain in it....I double dog dare ya.

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Forum consigliere

I hope he doesn't have to wait until the dead of winter, shoot the gun with the Buffalo Bore 170 grains in it, then stick his tongue to the gun.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Thanks ica345 nice link.

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Hook686

I turned in my 'Man Card' when I bought the 329PD. who knows though, the lightest recoil .357 magnum I have is Remington 158 grain green/white box. I might try one of those before I get some .38 Special, or .38 +P, or .38 +P+. I'm dumb enough that should the Remington's not do me in, I'll work my way up the list. Buffalo Bore 170 grain is there.

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Hook686