I bought this gun a few weeks ago. It is a 342 M&P, 38spl with a stainless steel cylinder. The dealer I bought it from sells only to police/security personnel. They told me this was a limited run made by S&W expressly for the LAPD.

Can anyone tell me about this weapon, specifically any specs there may be. I can't find this weapon listed anywhere on the internet.

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Man of Steel

Looks Identical to the:

S&W M&P 340
Product: Model M&P 340 Revolver - Centennial

But, I guess .38Spl Only. Instead of .357Mag/.38Spl +P

???:
- Possibly an Aluminum Alloy Frame for the .38Spl rating, Instead of the Scandium Alloy Frame found on the M&P 340, but to still retain all the M&P features?
- Could have been issued ammo driven: LAPD issues Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot 135grn .38Spl +P

Could have just offered the M&P340, but probably didnt want officers using .357MAG in Snubs for duty...... the "if its rated for it, then might as well use it" mentality........Again, All "____-umptions"/???

btw: CONGRATS !!!, M&P Snubs are SWEET !!!

Being a M342 M&P, it would have a scandium allow frame and barrel shroud and a stainless steel cylinder with their proprietary black finish. It should weigh about 13.3 ounces and has a 1.7/8" barrel. It's identical to the 340M&P, except chambered for the 38 Special. I don't believe that LAPD has ever embraced the 357 round for their officers. Nice find. Bob

uh oh....someone is going to argue that this could be the perfect pocket carry piece....I would find it hard to argue with them! Where did you find this and how much was it?

That was in last years catalog. I always thought it was a typo.

Looks somewhat similar to the SW Model 360sc that Bud's has had a few runs of.

Picked one up last April ~$460 or so.

Scandium alloy frame, carbon steel cylinder, 13.3 oz, spur hammer, and came with 2 grips - Bantam and Boot (?) 2 fingered and 3 fingered rubber grips.

Was really nice but I ended up not liking the hammer spur and sold it rather than just bobbing it which I probably should have done.


Dependent on the price, I'd agree - That 342 you have just might be the perfect pocket J. The 360sc did not come with an XS as yours seems to, but it was a pinned sight IIRC so changeout was possible aftermarket.

I bought it at "Proforce" in Brea, California (Orange County area). Price was $665 out the door.

fourXfour: is there a place I can find last years catalog?

I love this gun...and someday if I ever find some ammo, I just may shoot it! Finding ammo in CA is as hard...maybe after the next Presidential elections...

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Man of Steel

I'm not sure where to start looking for last year's M&P catalog. I know I looked at it a bunch of times, I'll see if it's in any of my download folders on my computers.

You can always contact smith and wesson, it was only in electronic form so it's gotta be archived somewhere.

thats about a bill less than an m and p 340. If I could get one of those I would have a hard time deciding between that and a 340.

Very sharp looking and extremely functional gun!

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Dave

Just to let the great folks know at S&W forum, Botach Defense has the M&P342 for $529.00. Great gun and at that price should last long...

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Never Forget

I bought a 342 from Botach. The one I received does not have the flame shield between the forcing cone and the top strap, unlike the one shown in the Botach ad and in the first example in this thread. I'm looking into whether this is a problem or not. Some 342s apparently have scandium frames and require the shield, some just a std alloy frame, which does not. There was also some damage to the top strap finish in this area, on the left side only, like someone hit it with a file or something. Not what I wanted in a new gun. I've left a message with Botach about that, not sure I'm going to accept the gun as is.

For .38, am I safe in assuming that not having a scandium frame is irrelevant? I know they use them for the .357 j-frames, though that has always seemed like ridiculous overkill to me in such a light gun.

The right side of the barrel only says .38 special, and I need to confirm that it is +P rated as advertised.

I have been hording Speer short barrel ammo, and want to be able to use it in this gun.

Try here: Catalogs - Smith & Wesson

I would not accept this gun without the shield. Mine has it, as well as the 360PD I had. I took a picture of the shield on my M&P 342 if you need it. I will have to post it at a later time because I will be late for work if I do. Let me know if you need it.

The frame and cylinder is the same as the M&P 340, only with a slightly shorter stainless steel cylinder (for .38 spl).

Let me know how if goes with Botach. If this gun was sold as new, it has to have that shield.

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Man of Steel

Thanks bro.

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Man of Steel

nice - is that an XS front site?

Not sure what XS is, but the front has trijicon night sights.

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Man of Steel

Botach has the worlds worst customer service reputation of any online firearms/accessories dealer. Just google "Botach sucks".