M&P 340 vs 340 PD

[SpartyME]

Is the PD’s titanium cylinder and fiber optic sight worth the extra money over the M&P’s stainless cylinder and night sight?

My plan is to carry daily in a coat pocket for winter and shorts pocket in summer, shooting and carrying 38+P 99% of the time.

[ContinentalOp]

Just my opinion, but from what I've read the titanium cylinder isn't worth the trouble. Sights aren't a factor for me as I prefer plain black sights, but I would likely choose a tritium night sight over fiber optic. If I were purchasing a scandium Centennial, I'd pick the M&P over the PD, regardless of price.

[Macinaw]

These two are my EDC guns. I carry the PD in the front pocket. The M&P a IWB holster. The two oz. difference in only a little bit noticeable.

[Macinaw]

I have a titanium cylinder on back order from MidwayUSA.com For $140. that I will put on the M&P as soon as it arrives.

[ridgewalker]

It’s an issue of the weight more than anything. If the lighter weight works better for your use then get the PD. Otherwise the M&P is a better gun in general.

[Breakaway500]

I've been carrying "out" my 340PD a lot more than I thought I would vs. other choices. It's very light...compact,quite powerful and has easy to see and use sights, especially during the day. (For nighttime armament,where I'm 99.99% at home, I rely on a grip laser 60, and a KSG with an Eotec 512.)

[SpartyME]

Originally Posted by Macinaw

These two are my EDC guns. I carry the PD in the front pocket. The M&P a IWB holster. The two oz. difference in only a little bit noticeable.

What’s causing the 340PD to have so much more wear?

[GCF]

Originally Posted by SpartyME

Is the PD’s titanium cylinder and fiber optic sight worth the extra money over the M&P’s stainless cylinder and night sight?

My plan is to carry daily in a coat pocket for winter and shorts pocket in summer, shooting and carrying 38+P 99% of the time.

I looked at both, before I purchased my M&P. I like the durability of the coated stainless cylinder (holding up very well), & really like the XS standard dot front sight (even in daylight), & the matching round notch rear.

Method of carry, is mainly front pocket.

My concern about the Ti cylinder, is durability of the coating. There seems to be a consensus, at least on related threads on this forum, that if the coating is damaged, the titanium surface will degrade. Bear in mind, this is ONLY hearsay on my part, as I do not own a Ti cylinder gun. Suggest you do a forum search on the subject, for first party info.

The weight saving feature of the Ti, is admittedly tempting, just not sure it's worth the "possible" durability downside. Other will surely disagree w/ me - on the durability angle. My M&P is pretty dog gone light, especially compared w/ my all steel M640-1, or anything else I own - for that matter.

Fiber optics front sights are sort of a non-issue for me. Seems main advantage is in daylight. Maybe best suited to a competition gun?

[Macinaw]

Originally Posted by SpartyME

What’s causing the 340PD to have so much more wear?

Just being in my pocket holster in my front pocket everyday. It does get bumped around .

[GCF]

Originally Posted by GCF

My concern about the Ti cylinder, is durability of the coating. There seems to be a consensus, at least on related threads on this forum, that if the coating is damaged, the titanium surface will degrade. Bear in mind, this is ONLY hearsay on my part, as I do not own a Ti cylinder gun. Suggest you do a forum search on the subject, for first party info.

Just a side note on my previous post. The area of concern - w/ regards to wear of the Ti coating, is the cylinder face. In other words, the external part of the cylinder, that is subject to high pressure exhaust gas / debris blast upon firing - from the barrel / cylinder gap.

In a previous post, one gent showed pictures of supposed gas cutting, on a Ti cylinder face.

Coating wear to exterior frame, barrel shroud, & cylinder surfaces, are only cosmetic, & of no concern to revolver function.

For the record, I use a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. It conceals well, & to date, seems to be quite easy on the exterior coating.

[bigbob76]

Originally Posted by Macinaw

These two are my EDC guns. I carry the PD in the front pocket. The M&P a IWB holster. The two oz. difference in only a little bit noticeable.

What is that nice fat grip you have on the bottom one? Have you tried interchanging grips? If I remember correctly the 340PD grip attachment is different from common J frames.

[Old cop]

I prefer the 340PD for EDC b/c I need to have the absolutely lightest gun possible. It’s pocket carried in a well worn Galco holster loaded w/ 110 grain +P. This ammo saves a bit of weight and is easy to handle in the light package.

[bigbob76]

Originally Posted by Old cop

I prefer the 340PD for EDC b/c I need to have the absolutely lightest gun possible. It’s pocket carried in a well worn Galco holster loaded w/ 110 grain +P. This ammo saves a bit of weight and is easy to handle in the light package.

My 340PD has a warning marked on it saying not to use any bullets weighing less than 120 grains.

[snowman.45]

I've had both, and find them both to be great little guns. I've pocket carried both (although very little) and find no real discernible difference. The only place I have seen a difference that I can feel is in recoil when shooting hot loads. I don't generally carry .357 in either gun, but have a 2x2x2 with six rounds in case I should need them. My carry ammunition is Buffalo Bore 158 gr. +p LSWCHP at 1000 ft. per sec. out of the short barrels. I can definitely feel the difference when firing the PD. My .357 mag. rounds are 135 gr. Speer GDHP - SB.

As I said, I've had both the M&P and the PD. I still have the M&P, although I can see getting another PD as a backup to the M&P.

[Macinaw]

Originally Posted by bigbob76

What is that nice fat grip you have on the bottom one? Have you tried interchanging grips? If I remember correctly the 340PD grip attachment is different from common J frames.

Ergo Delta grip $20.

[michpatriot]

I own both, the weight when pocket carried is noticeable but not a big deal. I guess it boils down to weather or not you absolutely need the 2oz less. The titanium cylinder does need to be cleaned carefully, and no lightweight 357 bullets are to be used, I originally acquired a MP340, carried it for a few weeks then fitted it with a titanium cylinder. After a few range sessions and cleanings my reservations toward titanium were gone, and I then purchased a 340PD.

[ContinentalOp]

Originally Posted by snowman.45

My carry ammunition is Buffalo Bore 158 gr. +p LSWCHP at 1000 ft. per sec. out of the short barrels. I can definitely feel the difference when firing the PD.

I hope you're checking for bullet pull. That can be an issue with heavy recoiling loads in the scandium guns, especially the PD.

[kaaskop49]

Originally Posted by ContinentalOp

I hope you're checking for bullet pull. That can be an issue with heavy recoiling loads in the scandium guns, especially the PD.

^^^^what he said. This (bullet pull/crimp jump) can also happen in .38 caliber. Don't know if they're scandium, but I had to test several loads in my VERY lightweight 342 and 337, both .38 caliber guns. Even if the bbl warning says ".38 +P Jacketed" and you are using that type of ammo, you must test.

I own both 340 PD and M&P variants. I'm set with 110gr mags in the M&P (steel cylinder) but am still looking for enough .357 R-P Golden Saber to test in the PDs. Happy holidaysand good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. Go with the M&P with it's steel cylinder.

[BigMoneyGrip]

I got the M&P because I didn't want to fool with the Ti cylinder on the PD. I've been carrying this one for over two years with no troubles.

[Usmc5811]

Yep gotta love my M&P. The only time I don’t carry it is when my wife has it stashed in her purse.

[Old cop]

The warning on the 340PD has to do with .357 ammo only. I called S&W CS and they confirmed this.

[SpartyME]

Originally Posted by Macinaw

I have a titanium cylinder on back order from MidwayUSA.com For $140. that I will put on the M&P as soon as it arrives.

FYI - they’re back in stock

[gnystrom]

If the 2 oz. matters, you have your answer. There are lots of ways to shave 2 oz.'s from a pocket gun. Lighter ammo and a good thin horsehide pocket holster is a good start.
I have never had any cleaning issues (avoid ammonia products), flame cutting, cylinder wear, or bullet jump with my taper crimp or conventional crimped handloads.

If I had ANY concerns, I would just get the 340 and call it a day.

[SpartyME]

Grabbed a titanium cylinder from MidwayUSA and it dropped right in (using the original extractor). Makes a noticeable difference in pocket carry. Don’t plan to shoot too often with it, but it only takes 2 mins to change back to steel if I’m planning an extended range session.

[eveled]

I'd take two 442's over one 340. If I had to have a 340, I'd go for the MP. I like the sights better, and the stainless cylinder is a plus too.

I have a 340pd and a 442, I can't tell the difference when carrying them.

[Macinaw]

I didn't think the cylinder exchange would be that noticeable. But, just holding the steel cylinder compared to the titanium cylinder the difference was very noticeable. For only pocket carry; the titanium cylinder is worth the expense.

[slabside2]

As soon as I got my gun home I switch the cylinder out. It took a little fitting to get it right. The new titanium cylinder gap was way too tight I had to adjust the gap. It took a little fitting to get it right. The gap is now .005 and shoots great. The 2 or 3 ounces does make a difference to me anyway when caring in your pocket.

[ldryder]

When I made my decision, I chose the M&P 340 because it was cheaper, I preferred the front sight, and I didn't want to worry about taking extra precautions when cleaning t titanium cylinder.

I always carry it in a Mika IWB holster, or in a jacket pocket with a Mika pocket holster and I'm quite happy with the weight of the revolver.

[snowman.45]

Originally Posted by ContinentalOp

I hope you're checking for bullet pull. That can be an issue with heavy recoiling loads in the scandium guns, especially the PD.

I've checked it several times to determine if that problem is developing. So, far, it's been good with no discernible bullet pull. I'm thinking, however, of changing ammo to the Federal HST Micro 140 gr. JHP. Tests show sufficient penetration and great expansion at between 800 and 900 fps.

[mike campbell]

Originally Posted by SpartyME

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