Some time this year after I recover some funds from recently purchasing my M&P 15OR and accessories for it, I am looking to purchase a smaller and lighter handgun for CC. I currently have a P30 and while I love this firearm, it's a little heavy and bulky to carry around.

I'm very interested in the M&P 340 and it's 2nd on my top 3 list right behind the Springfield XDs. Seems like the perfect light-weight/no-fuss CC gun. However, after conducting some research I came across some sights that reported a similar 340 issue with the gun blowing up while using certain .357 loads; thus destroying the entire gun. Have any of you experienced this issue with your M&P 340?

Have you experienced any issues with this weapon? I know no firearm is going to be 100% issue free; but at it's price point, I am hoping for a very fine weapon with minimal issues. Thank you for your responses.

Mine is 100% issue free since I got it a couple of years ago. I will admit to not shooting .357's out of it; I stick to .38 specials.

I have had a 340sc since they first came out. I only had one issue, and the factory took care of it right away. It fills a very important carry need. They are a handful with full-house 357 loads, but the 340 was not meant to be a range/target gun anyhow.

Good luck on your purchase.

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On the Oak Savannah

My 340 PD has been with me every day for 8 years.
It's loaded with Corbon DPX 38+P's.
NOTHING carries better.
The M&P is 1 & 1/2 ounces heavier.
The cylinder is stainless steel.
The one on the PD is titanium.
Get a Mika pocket holster and you're set for life.
Mika's Pocket Holsters - Custom Made Pocket Holsters, Waistband Holsters, Vest Holsters, Tactical Pocket Mirrors And Much More.

Attached Images

E's 340 PD.jpg (184.2 KB, 85 views)

I have both the 340PD and the M&P340. Never had an issue with the 340PD and have fired only Speer GDHP in .357 for short-barrel out of it as a max-load and normally it is stoked with the 135-gr Speer GDHP for short-barrel in .38-Spl +P loads.

I did haffta send the M&P340 back to get the barrel tightened once. No ammo issues such as blowing up either revolver.

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

I had a new m&p 340 took it to the range ran about 100rds of 38spl thru it took it home to cleaned it and the cylinder road passed the cylinder stop and fell out. I know S&W would have fixed it but I just didn't feel like playing the send it back game and hope it comes back fixed so I sold it and bought a 340pd. No problems love the gun. It may have just been a fluke.
Mike

If you haven't shot one with full .357 loads in it, may I reccommend that you do so before dropping 7-800 on one. I had an M&P 340 for a short time. I am not recoil sensitive but that thing was a beast. Who ever decided to make a 13 ounce .357 was drunk, period. Sold it and just bought a 640 pro. Love the gun. The extra weight doesn't bother me, but it is a back up ankle gun 90% of the time. I bought a .357 so I could have the stopping power I wanted but could not shoot the 340, it was just too brutal. My $.02.

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Still got the shovel

I had the M&P 340 but sold it (got an offer I could not refuse), preferring my 442. Tried shooting .357 mid range but could not control follow-up shots. The difference if weight is not enough where I noticed it carrying IWB, pocket or ankle. It is a really nice gun but IMHO not worth the extra money.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's going to be a while before I'm going to be able to purchase a new handgun; plenty of time to test a few at a range. The 340 does seem a little too light in terms of weight for its own good. But a J-Frame is definitely in the picture. A minimalist gun without a lot of moving parts does sound intriguing. Hmm. Maybe by saving the few extra hundred dollars from not going with a M&P 340 and going with a different snubbie from Smith's J-frame line, I can get both the XDs and the snubbie for just a little more than one M&P 340.

Good talk guys