640 Pro Series or M&P 340 - help me choose!!!

[Jsferrazza]

Hey guys,

So I'm really stuck between buying a 640 Pro Series or a M&P 340 (w/o lock), and need some help deciding!

There's a lot of similarities between the two, but both of them have some distinct differences. Both have the internal hammer, no internal lock, .357 mag, j frames, similar in price, and are both awesome guns!

The 640 Pro has the full night sights, moon clips, and upgraded looks (fluted barrel), but the M&P 340 is considerably lighter (13oz vs 23oz), has the nice black finish, and still has the big dot front sight.

Whichever I choose will be an EDC and will endure a lot of practice time at the range.

I was considering a 649, but think I have since ruled it out - now it's between the 640 Pro Series and M&P 340.

I'm stuck between the two - help me decide and tell me which one you would pick!

EDIT: I guess the biggest question is if the lighter weight and slight bit of more concealability from the M&P 340 is worth a little more recoil, and giving up the extra features on the 640 Pro?

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

I own several Smith and Wesson Centennials and other J-frames

I carry the heaviest one that my activities and style of dress allow.

Different tools for different jobs. This choice between these two is also dependant on your personal skill level and tolerance, or lack thereof, for recoil

I own the 340s because there are situations where I need to carry but will be in shorts or swimwear. That rules out a 24+ ounce firearm in my pocket

Understand that firing a 357 Magnum round, even in the heaviest of these 2" J-frames, is not fun. These are your "I walked into a bad place and now need to save my butt guns." These are not target guns or plinking guns. They are not designed for spending a day at the range with a few boxes of ammunition

Shooting full 357 Magnums in the Scandium framed pocket pistols is too brutal to be tolerated by 90%+ of the shooters that buy them.

My 340s have more than 7000 full power 357 Magnums through them so far. Myself and probably close to 100 of my associates have used my 340s to shoot for qualification. Not everyone makes it. One of the LTs described firing full magnums in my 340PD Scandium/Titanium J-frame as "A Character Defining Moment," yes he did qualify.

If you alter your profile to let us know where in Florida you are, perhaps a forum member will offer to let you try a 340. If you are in South East Florida, I will gladly meet you at the range so you can try mine.

I actually had a fellow Forum Member at the range today trying one of the 360J Scandium revovlers

 

[les.b]

I'm a little like colt saa, I have one of each, and a bunch of others as well. My lightest is the 340 PD, at 11 point something ozs., then the M&P 340 at 13 ozs., and my other modern centennial style is the 640-1 Pro Series, at about 23 ounces. All are Cenntenniel style, smooth draw, could be fired from inside a jacket (not recommended, however), and I rotate through them none with the "Internal Lock". I will never own one with the lock. I like all of them. For pocket carry, the 340 PD is nice, as it weighs so little. But I also sometimes pocket carry the heavier 640, and truth to be told, there isn't much difference in feel. For belt carry in a holster, go for the heavier one. Easier to shoot, less recoil.

Also, what colt saa said about recoil is an important part of the equation, as practice is a must. I literally thought that I had broken a bone in my hand when I first fired my 340 PD with full house, 158 grain magnum ammo. Someone likened it to lighting an M80, and just letting it go off in your hand!

Get one of each!!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[Jsferrazza]

Thanks Guys! I'm just outside of Tampa, Florida.

I understand recoil will be tuff in either model, which is why I tend to be leaning towards the 640 Pro. I wear a suit and tie Monday through Friday, so concealment is a huge factor for me. I've shot some .357 in 4" barrels, but not im a snub nose j frame yet. I have been shooting a friends 442, and really like it, but it's. 38sp only.

 

[les.b]

Hey! I forgot to welcome you to the forum!!! Welcome! After you figure out what's best, stick around. This is a wonderful place to learn and share information.

I forgot to add that I use Speer 135 gr Gold Dot .357 mag Short Barrel ammo in all three variations of the Centennials that I spoke of. Less recoil, less muzzle flash, and optimized for the short barrel. Downside: hard to find, and expensive, like $1.50 per round! But what price can you put on a potentially life saving investment? Recoil is not bad in the 11 ouncer, and not bad in the 23 ouncer.

Best Regards, Les

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard.

You've narrowed your selection down to two great choices. I have one of each.

les.b: I believe S&W lists the M&P 340 at 13.3 oz and the 640 Pro at 23.

I don't notice the difference in weight in my Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake Holster mounted on a 1¾" Milt Sparks lined leather belt. Depending upon what I'm doing I wear the holster in the appendix or kidney positions with equal comfort.

I've been carrying Speer 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel .38+P, which pushes the guns' weights to 1 and 1½ lbs, respectively (and that's with the moon clips in the 640 Pro). I received my order of Barnes TAC-XPD .357 125gr Hollow Point Lead-Free today so I'm going to give that a go in both guns. This magnum ammo is light and adds less than a quarter oz to each gun's weight.

Please let us know what you decide, but I agree with les.b: get one of each!

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Jsferrazza]

Welcome aboard.

You've narrowed your selection down to two great choices. I have one of each.

les.b: I believe S&W lists the M&P 340 at 13.3 oz and the 640 Pro at 23.

I don't notice the difference in weight in my Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake Holster mounted on a 1¾" Milt Sparks lined leather belt. Depending upon what I'm doing I wear the holster in the appendix or kidney positions with equal comfort.

I've been carrying Speer 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel .38+P, which pushes the guns' weights to 1 and 1½ lbs, respectively (and that's with the moon clips in the 640 Pro).

Any preference to one or the other? What about for pocket carry?

Thanks!

 

[Bastogne71]

I fired an AirLite five times with 357 ammo. I will not willingly ever do that again! After that experience, I bought a model 640 Pro for pocket carry. With a good Kramer holster and a sturdy belt, the weight isn't a problem for daily carry in my front pocket? The sights on the Pro are a real plus and I'm sold on moon clips as well.
If you have a chance, shoot an AirLite side by side with an all steel J frame and decide from there. I'm very pleased with my choise.

 

[ridgewalker]

A lot of people, including me, feel that 38 special ammo is fine for a snub nose defensive carry pistol. With 357 magnum there is the risk of over penetration, increased blast and recoil and slower follow up shots. With the right ammo choice the 38 special is preferred in most cases. So that may affect your choice of an airweight vs an all steel snubbie

 

[Jsferrazza]

A lot of people, including me, feel that 38 special ammo is fine for a snub nose defensive carry pistol. With 357 magnum there is the risk of over penetration, increased blast and recoil and slower follow up shots. With the right ammo choice the 38 special is preferred in most cases. So that may affect your choice of an airweight vs an all steel snubbie

Thanks for the feedback, but I'm set on a .357. Both the 640 Pro and M&P 340 are .357, which is why they're still in the running for me.

My question is really about the weight and pros/cons of each of the two models listed.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

I wouldn't discard using exclusively 38 and 38 special +p in a J frame snub nose. Sure 357 is going to give you greater velocities but it will be at the cost of greater recoil and slower follow up shots. I'm not talking through experience because I have never fired 357 out of a snub nose. I have however shot some very potent 38 spl +p rounds (BB 158 +p) through my 642. It was not fun at all. I'm not recoil shy at all and I actually like hot loads. Once at the range I shot 100 plinking rounds out of my 642, I then proceeded to fire 5 BB 158 +P rounds. I didn't think it was all that bad until I looked down and observed blood splatter on my gun. I then looked at my hand and I had split the skin around the webbing of my thumb and index finger. A week later after I healed, I went back to the range and shot 150 plinking rounds and several other +p carry rounds other then BB and did not have that problem.


What I'm trying to say is, don't worry too much about having the ability to fire 357 or not when picking out a J frame. For its intended use, I'd stick with 38 and call it a day.

 

[Jsferrazza]

I wouldn't discard using exclusively 38 and 38 special +p in a J frame snub nose. Sure 357 is going to give you greater velocities but it will be at the cost of greater recoil and slower follow up shots. I'm not talking through experience because I have never fired 357 out of a snub nose. I have however shot some very potent 38 spl +p rounds (BB 158 +p) through my 642. It was not fun at all. I'm not recoil shy at all and I actually like hot loads. Once at the range I shot 100 plinking rounds out of my 642, I then proceeded to fire 5 BB 158 +P rounds. I didn't think it was all that bad until I looked down and observed blood splatter on my gun. I then looked at my hand and I had split the skin around the webbing of my thumb and index finger. A week later after I healed, I went back to the range and shot 150 plinking rounds and several other +p carry rounds other then BB and did not have that problem.


What I'm trying to say is, don't worry too much about having the ability to fire 357 or not when picking out a J frame. For its intended use, I'd stick with 38 and call it a day.

My debate isn't which caliber to choose, it'swhich of the two models to choose. I understand where you're coming from, but I'm set on a .357.

 

[Jsferrazza]

All great points about using just .38spl, but I want a .357 and know I will end up with buyer's remorse if I don't get what I truly want.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

All great points about using just .38spl, but I want a .357 and know I will end up with buyer's remorse if I don't get what I truly want.

I went through a similar decision when I was thinking about buying a J frame. Mine was between the 340M&P and the 642/442. I like you was interested in having the ability to fire 357. My thought process was, I could go to the range and shoot 38 spl and use 357 for carry. At the time I posted a thread over at Defensive Carry and had a lot of good information and experience passed on to me about both guns. In the end I went with the 642 due to me being able to purchase it for a very good LE price at Buds gunshop. I'm happy with my choice and the 38 round.


As far as your two choices:


640
Pro: Less felt recoil.
Con: Heavier and less likely to be happy with pocket carry.

340 M&P
Pro: Lighter, easier to carry.
Con: Much more felt recoil.


End the end, you have to figure out how you want to carry and what gun will better suit your needs.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Any preference to one or the other? What about for pocket carry?

Thanks!

Preference? Wow! Sort of like trying to say which of our two Australian shepherd pups is my favorite.

Reading reviews of these two guns doesn't make the decision easier; you can find (and might have already) sort of an equal split among reviewers who claim one of these is the "best" J-frame or ccw out there.

Both have a shroud around the ejector rod -- a must-have for me. And, like you, I wanted the ability to use .357s. I've had the 340 since early this year and picked up the 640 early this month. I bought the 640 to be an alternate, but...

Since I don't notice a difference in weight when I carry either of them in my Lobo holster, the 640 Pro has become my number 1 ccw. I appreciate its weight when I'm aiming and firing -- feels substantial -- in fact, sometimes I'd swear I was holding a K-frame, which might also come from those big Karl Nill stocks. Hogue makes a rubber Centennial "Tamer" that comes all the way up the backstrap, too. I might give a pair of those a go on the 340.

If I feel a need to take the 340 along for a walk in the woods with the pups I toss it in my inside left vest pocket (no holster). If I'm wearing one of my heavy flannel shirts I put it in the left breast pocket. Either way, I never know it's there -- it's only double the weight of Barbara's smart phone.

I've not tried to carry either one in a pants pocket (too much other "stuff" in those).

I've learned to appreciate the 640's moon clips and the full-length ejector rod. I haven't taught myself to be quick when unloading/reloading using the moon clips so I don't pack a spare when I'm out and about. I keep different types of ammo loaded in the three clips that came with it so changing from one to another based on where I'm headed is a piece of cake.

The 340 bucks a bit more, but I've never been one to shy away from recoil so that doesn't give me a problem. Enough time with any gun will allow the shooter to learn best practices for accommodating recoil and follow-on shot sighting.

In daylight -- speaking of sighting -- I can't say the 640's rear sight is any better than the 340's. In low or no light situations I've taught myself how best to use the 340's Tritium front sight, but I must admit I'm already faster getting a sight picture with the 640's triple dots.

Cost-wise, it was a tossup. I bought both guns NIB and actually paid $70 less for the 340 thanks to S&W's first responder/LE/military program.

I'm not sure I've answered your "tough" question or helped in your decision. Weights and features are the keys, but I'm sure those are what got you to this point.

Best of luck deciding,

Bob

 

[Mister X]

I've owned 640's and 340 M&P's.

I personally found the 640 a bit impractical for pocket carry while the 340 was ideal for it. If pocket carry isn't your preferred carry method and you insist on carrying/shooting .357 magnum, then the 640 probably makes the most sense. I don't care for moon clips on defensive revolvers and don't see the pro models sights being a big advantage on a snub considering it's likely defensive use and would opt for a standard model myself. Just my opinion though, YMMV.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Have you seen this thread?:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/226778-340-m-p-no-lock-pros-cons.html

... or this one (it's a zombie)?:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/242224-640-pro-series.html

 

[Jsferrazza]

Have you seen this thread?:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/226778-340-m-p-no-lock-pros-cons.html

... or this one (it's a zombie)?:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/242224-640-pro-series.html

I actually saw thr first link the other day, but haven't seen the second one. I would be getting the non-lock model if I got the 340. Do you think the bullet issue could be something to turn someone away from the M&P340?

 

[kthom]

If you are going to shoot it a lot, get the 640. If you are going to carry it a lot and shoot it little, then the 340 might be the better choice. Either way, I'd be shooting .38 Special +P and practice ammo in either one. If you belt carry almost all the time, get the 640, although the 340 will do just as well there, but the added weight won't be noticed. The additional recoil and shot recovery time between them will be noticed any time you shoot. We are all different about recoil, but there is a noticeable difference between the steel frames and the lightweights. The steel frame will probably tolerate many more rounds through it without issue whereas the lighter frame might not do that well.

Understand though that the Model 640's are my very favorite J Frame model so I may be a bit predjudiced. But have have both weights and can carry either. The 640-1 is my EDC!

 

[Mulebuk Sam]

Any preference to one or the other? What about for pocket carry?

Thanks!

The 340 will be a dream to pocket carry and it won't play peek-a-boo, the 640 is doable but if someone is behind you on an angle they'll see the butt. Make sure your pockets are deep enough.

My 642 I had was 6.31 the Ruger LCR was 6.5 and right at the edge. The 640 I believe is 6.6 the 340 the same as the 642.

Now, let's talk which one you will enjoy shooting. And if you don't like shooting it you will not practice with it, and a snubby is very hard to master.
The 340 is a work of art in my opinion but at 13.3 oz. you'll feel even the standard .38 loads and get ready if you try to go magnum.

Tough choice, I know the 640 will feel better to shoot, but there is just something about that 340 that always captivates me, I especially like how they have covered the ejector rob unlike the 642 that looks naked out in the open. And makes me think it's vulnerable.

Good luck with your decision.

p.s. don't be fooled by the 640 because it's heavier magnum loads out of that thing won't be fun either after awhile. But unlike the 340 you should be able to do more than 2 or 3 before you say enough of this.