Hello all, I wanted to know what the black finish on the revolver was and how durable it is for a carry revolver? Anybody one that has one a carries it please chime in.

I also wanted to know how big the revolver is in comparison to the 642 model. Are the 357 J frames a rid bit larger or same size as the 38 J frames??

And last question is how is the stock trigger pull? Does the performance center make a model with a better trigger like how they make performance center 442 and 642?

Thanks in advance for replies guys. Just wanted to know if it's worth getting this one over a PC 642..

The finish will scratch but wont rust.
Size is the same but lighter weight.
Trigger feels better with use.

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Some assembly required..

For a daily carry gun, I would get the 642PC due to cost and (should be) a better trigger with moon clip capability (PN 10186). Another plus is the 642PC sights will be easier to see in low light.

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Centennial Every Day

Respectfully disagree on the sights.

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Some assembly required..

I've had mine for a couple years now and it gets carried in a leather pocket holster.

The black finish has no wear spots on it, the black is just a little more shiny in the high spots that rub on the holster.

The trigger is a little smoother and lighter than on my 642. With any double action revolvers, some triggers will be better and some will be worse. They do smooth out with use and it's easy enough to change out the main spring for something lighter.

I don't believe they make a PC version of the 340 like they do the 642.

The 340 gets carried much more then the 642 due to its lighter weight in my pocket, which is the only way I carry J Frames. The 642 sits on top of the fridge, so the wife always knows where it is. If you plan on belt carrying then I don't think the weight difference would be of much concern.

I would buy the 340 again if I had to choose between it and a 642. Besides being ridiculously light it's nice to know you can shoot 357 Mag ammo in it, and any +P 38s you'd care to try aren't going to hurt it. IMHO anyways....

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

Does the 340 have a front night sight? I didn't look up the exact model and am assuming it is similar to a 442 sight wise.

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Centennial Every Day

I carried an M&P 340 in a lined OWB leather holster for much of last year. The black wore off the sharp edges: top strap, front of frame, and trigger guard. Didn't effect it's performance one bit. The trigger was okay when I got it and with lots of practice, live and dry fire with snap caps, it just keeps getting better.


Hmmm.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I have carried a 340 M&P (no lock) for two years, very happy with it. The finish has held up great, trigger is good, very accurate. The front sight is a Tritium big dot type sight, much easier to see than the sights on the 442/642. I carry .38 Gold Dot 135gr hollow points in it, but like having the option of using .357 ammo in it as I carry it as a back up for my SP-101. Even being as light as it is the 340 is very manageable with .357 Golden Saber ammo. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another, in fact I may pick up another as a spare this year. It's not an inexpensive revolver, but I have found it to be worth the investment.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

I'm on my second 340 M&P. I still don't know how I let the first one get away. I carry mine quite a bit, especially in the summer. I usually carry in a leather IWB holster at 3:00, but sometimes in a sticky pocket holster. I have had little wear on the finish; just a couple of shiny high spots and edges from holster contact. From past experience, I found that a little Birchwood-Casey Aluminum Black will fix it right up if you ever see silver.

This is one of my favorite carry pieces. I usually carry Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LHP-GC +p FBI load. If I feel I might need some magnums, I'll throw in a speed loader or two of Gold Dot 135 SB .357. I always carry two speed strips or speed loaders.

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Dave Frost

Yes, I am not on my computer right now but you can see my avatar. It has the u grove rear and white dot night sight up front. It is one of the selling points for me.
Check it out on the Smith sight too.

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Some assembly required..

Well... that was helpful.

Had to go look it up and, yes, it has a front night sight.

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Centennial Every Day

A lot of J-frame threads in the past week or so. I have 2 M&P 340s and wonder how I ever lived without them. Their steel cylinders allow me to carry the 110gr .357 loads that seem tailored for them. As I've posted recently, QC depends now on the individual gun, NOT on the model etching on the frame. One 340 had a wire edge in the forcing cone that my 'smith removed with a chamfering tool. Both have trigger pulls are adequate to the purpose of the gun: up-close-quick-and-ugly.

At first glance, the 340 and 642 frames are the same size, but the 340's top strap is a smidge thicker/higher and can cause a problem in tightly-fitted holsters. No issue in a pocket holster. Which to choose? If you're going to fire .38s, the 642 would be the answer. For magnums, then the 340. No point in carrying .38s in the magnum gun: it is for those who need/want the extra horsepower. Also, the 340 is much more expensive than the 642.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103