Need advice, 442 or M&P 340, your thoughts..
- Thread starter Eagle1*
- Start date
ABPOS
Member
I like my 442. I've heard a few reports of airweights breaking. But I think there are plenty out there that don't break and have been shot.
Mine has a flat black coating on the aluminum frame and then the barrel and cylinder are steel blue or almost black but not like the frame is. First one I have seen like this but I am alright with it. Cant wait to see how it wears as I love guns that have been used and show it...
I think you made a wise choice! Most people find that even .38 SPL +P is excessive from an airweight, so 357 from a 340 would be brutal by most people's standards.
You'll thank yourself on range day.
I like shooting my J frames. I enjoy shooting the 442 with standard 38 special ammunition. I don't mind small amount of practice with 38+ P. I don't see myself enjoying shooting anything lighter. The 442 carries fine in my pocket. I never had a 340. The 442 works good for me. I paint the sights, install Hogue Tamer Grips on my Range/waistband 442 and keep the Boot Grips on the pocket 442.
Attachments
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I looked up "masochism" in the dictionary. There was a pictured of a guy shooting full-house .357 Magnum out of a gnatweight J-frame.
629shooter
Member
It might have been my picture from last year. A friend and I went out in a snowy mess last year and shot 150 rounds of factory 125 gr. Magnums with my 340PD.
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
I didn't get on this thread in time to give you my two cents
worth, but you made the right decision.
worth, but you made the right decision.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
F75gunslinger
Member
The 442 and 642 should be about the same. 442 is slightly heavier from what the Smith website shows.
I think that you were looking more for an answer to " Is the 340 almost $300 BETTER than the 442? " . If the ability to use .357 or the extra .9 ounces of weight savings mean much to you then maybe.I carry a 642 often in a pocket and have no need for anything lighter at the increased price.
I think that you were looking more for an answer to " Is the 340 almost $300 BETTER than the 442? " . If the ability to use .357 or the extra .9 ounces of weight savings mean much to you then maybe.I carry a 642 often in a pocket and have no need for anything lighter at the increased price.
Last edited:
ABPOS
Member
9 ounces of savings? Waaaa? They was 6 ounces?
ABPOS
Member
I'm pretty sure that's how all 442's are. The finish on the aluminum is a bit different than on the steel. It's more.... matte. The barrel and cylinder are definitely not polished blue, but it looks more like blueing. Where the aluminum looks more like a dark parkerizing. Like a modern AR.
I think this pic shows it well:
Bacon
Member
Since the frame of the 442 is alloy, it is probably anodized. This finish make it more dull than the steel finish.
I have old 640,442 old not plus P, 60, 36 and 340 PD no lock. The 340 pd I never shoot 357 mag I don't care what people say your not going to burn the power out of that small BBL. The only thing you will do in the woods will start a fire out of that small BBL from blast. Just joking I like the 340 PD because it is light but it has shield to stop flash from killing cone. Also has two pins in frame that makes frame strong and has like a brass insert by cylinder release that on 642/442 do not have so after awhile 442 because like egg shape. I am just telling you what Karl Sokol told me that why I bought it Karl knows his stuff. Remember this SW has life time war so are those things I said worth it? I think for the money 442 is very good gun its not charter arms or taurus junk yes there ***. What ever Smith you go with you will be good to go I bought the 340 to show off cause it was a lot of money save your cash 442 brother.
I'm pretty sure that's how all 442's are. The finish on the aluminum is a bit different than on the steel. It's more.... matte. The barrel and cylinder are definitely not polished blue, but it looks more like blueing. Where the aluminum looks more like a dark parkerizing. Like a modern AR.
I think this pic shows it well:
I have Two of them and the finish is holding up well. The Boot Grip Gun is in my pants pocket in a pocket holster every day. The other is in my waist in a leather clip on holster. Both from 2012 or 13
Attachments
GCF
Member
Got a no lock 640-1, & a no lock M&P340 (bought new 3-4 years back) myself. Both loaded w/ 135 Gold Dot +P / SB.
The 340 gets WAY more street time (EDC), & the 640 is my bump in the night piece. Both are excellent weapons (zero buyer's remorse), & I'd REALLY hate to do with out either.
I considered the 442, before purchasing the 340. The 442 is I'm sure, a good gun for the money, but price differential aside, I believe the 340 to be a much better built firearm.
I view it as seriously overbuilt for it's intended purpose. And overbuilt IMHO, is worth paying extra for.
Had I been seriously strapped for cash, & in need of a pocket pistol, I'd have bought the 442 -, hoping for the best. I'm far from affluent, but although admittedly a bit on the pricey side, the few extra bucks for the 340 just didn't seem like that big of a deal - for a weapon that was to be my first line of defense 90% of the time. Of course, that's just me.
Greenback dollars come & go like the wind, but top quality defensive firearms seem to stick around...
The 340 gets WAY more street time (EDC), & the 640 is my bump in the night piece. Both are excellent weapons (zero buyer's remorse), & I'd REALLY hate to do with out either.
I considered the 442, before purchasing the 340. The 442 is I'm sure, a good gun for the money, but price differential aside, I believe the 340 to be a much better built firearm.
I view it as seriously overbuilt for it's intended purpose. And overbuilt IMHO, is worth paying extra for.
Had I been seriously strapped for cash, & in need of a pocket pistol, I'd have bought the 442 -, hoping for the best. I'm far from affluent, but although admittedly a bit on the pricey side, the few extra bucks for the 340 just didn't seem like that big of a deal - for a weapon that was to be my first line of defense 90% of the time. Of course, that's just me.
Greenback dollars come & go like the wind, but top quality defensive firearms seem to stick around...
Last edited:
studenygreg
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2016
- Messages
- 235
- Reaction score
- 243
I have a 642 and a 340pd. .357 mag in the 340pd stings pretty good after a couple of cylinders. I carry it because its super light and doesn't weigh my scrubs or basketball shorts down. I carry it with .357 magnum and have a 1911 in my bag at my desk. As for the 642, it's a nice gun. I just have no need for it since I have the 340pd. I have wilson combat kits in both j frames with no issues.
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
Mine is the no lock 340PD b/c saving weight is what's most important for me. I keep +P in it since that's the easiest for me to handle follow up shots with. If saving money is more important than weight than the 442 would be my choice. You'll need lots of regular practice w/a J frame and you can buy a lot of ammo w/the difference in price.
