I've owned a 340PD .357mag for some time and frankly, I just can't stand to pull the trigger on it again.
I'd like to keep it stoked with .357s (currently using Federal Hydra Shok Reduced Recoil) but am looking for improved grips.
The boot grips that this revolver is shipped with are punishing.
Any suggestions?

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I don't think they are available yet, but the only J-frame grips that are significantly different, are the new Ergo grips. Look strange, but may be effective. Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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The S&W grips like the ones that come on the 640 aren't bad but they add length and you lose some concealment attributes. If that doesn't bother you give them a try, probably around 20-30$. If that doesn't work, carry .38s instead.

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SWCA #2777

While I don't have a .357 J frame, I have found the Pachmayr Compact grips fit my hands well and cover the backstrap to help cushion recoil.
I can still carry my 442 concealed either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my home made holsters.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I have a set of Uncle Mike's on my model 60 LS, recoil is stout but manageable. These grips are quite comfortable, however this gun is almost twice the weight of yours. Houge make a monogrip for the J frame that covers the backstrap, I use one on a 637 air weight that are quite good. However 38 special, even +p is not 357 magnum, not even close. There may not be much available to make shooting 357 out of an 11 oz. gun enjoyable.

The 60 LS with Uncle Mike's


The air weight with Houge's

I'm not sure what Pachmehr makes for J frames, but I have
their rubber cushion grips on my L frame and they really soak up the recoil. They ain't purty, but they give me something to really hang on to.

I found that I could not stand to fire a lightweight J frame with magnum loads. I stick with .38 +P loads now.
You could possibly find bigger grips, but that would compromise the size of the gun. Wooden grips would hurt even worse.

I have carried a 340PD for years myself. I stoke it with Speer GDHP .38SPL +P in 135gr for short-barrels. Ballistics are not that far off from .357MAG and the tests from Speer and others show that. So, I keep it loaded with those GDHPs for short-barrels.

The Pachmayr Compacts fill the hand quite well, if you wish a grip to do that for you. I switch between a number of different ones, depending upon the carry-method I plan to use. I even sometimes use the J-frame Dymondbacks from S&W. Wood and minimal in size. All depends what floats your boat.

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet

I would recommend putting rubber grips on it Pachmyar, Hoque and Uncle Mikes make them for a J frame. Then if that doesn't help you might want to drop down to a 38+ P load. I personally don't shoot magnums through J frames, but through K or L frames 2 1/2 or 3 inch. The heavier frames help with felt recoil.

try the new Hogue Tamer

I became fascinated by the Ergo Delta Grips that Pizza Bob recommended.
So, after a short wait Ergo emailed me that they're now in stock.
Ordered a set today.
I'll post photos after I receive them.

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.38 Special, +P or not, high quality defensive ammo for carry. Range ammo/plain .38 ammo to practice.

I am uncertain why anyone feels required to stoke these little guns with full house magnums just because you can. Every gun writer in the world has always said they're meant to be shot a little and carried a lot. And if they can't be fired accurately a second time because the recoil is punishing then they're worthless in a defensive situation with that ammunition in there.

.38 Special will be nice to your hands.....

***GRJ***

Extra thought - I can shoot .357 Magnum loads with no problem in my 2.5" Model 19. I don't do it a lot because it's unnecessary but that gun, at least, is built to handle that recoil. The J-frames are able to handle the hot .357 ammo/rated for it/won't simple blow up, etc. - but if anyone says they're built to handle the recoil they're making up fibs.

***GRJ***

another vote for feeding it .38 spl. I own a model 65 and shoot a few .357. but mostly .38

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Back to back World War Champs.

I use hogue stocks/grips on everything that I own except for hunting rifles(gotta have wood) I feel your pain, I've got a snub ruger security six in .357 mag, the factory grips are BRUTAL with magnums. I would look for a hogue grip compatible with your gun.

Hogue Inc.

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Still waiting on a .44mag AR15

Groo here
Those who don't shoot mags because of ability or preference may do so.
Many worry about being able to shoot fast, that is just a carry over
from mouse guns of limited effectiveness.
As in hunting , the first shot is the most important.......
The more shots fired, the better the chance of hitting someone else.
Make your first shot the most powerful/ accurate one possible,
after that , if another is needed there will be time.
Though , with a true fighting cartridge ,the chances of another will be passing small.
My short 357's have rubber grips and Remington 125gr express 357's
Old school but doing the job for a Long Time.

Microgunner, there is not a set of grips that will make your 340 PD fun to shoot with .357 Magnum ammo. My M-66 2 ½” weighs about twice as much as your 340 and it’s not a lot of fun to shoot with stout .357 Magnum loads. So I shoot a lot of 38 special +P ammo at the range, and finish my session with 18 – 24 rounds of .357 Magnum ammo.

For S/D I load the Buffalo Bore 38/44 heavy duty round. They have plenty of power and enough snap that I know I’m shooting a power full round. The only drawback is the price, at $1.75 per round they are not range ammo.

If you insist on loading full Magnum ammo in your 340, and ever have to shoot it for real you will not feel the recoil.

I can no longer shoot .357 Magnum due to arthritis in my hands and wrists; but when I still could I thought one would have to really like hard recoil and unholy flash and blast to shoot the stuff in a J-frame. There are plenty of excellent .38 Special loads that are much more shootable. Buffalo Bore sells a couple of good ones that offer reduced flash.

The flash factor is a concern to me. In the event that I were forced to defend myself with a .357 Magnum in the dark I would be afraid the first round fired would temporarily blind me. Even if the first shot is a good one, what if there is more than one assailant to watch? In a snubby that can be a risk even with +P .38 Special ammo, but not like the horrendous fireball of the .357 from a short barrel.

Just one old guy's opinion.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I have a 329PD, the .44 Magnum. I got it for backpacking and was sorry the first time I fired it. I had almost given up on it until I read an article by John Taffin about shooting handguns with heavy recoil. I was military trained to hold a very tight grip and not let it kick up very much. OK for steel guns, instant bone bruises with a PD. It helped, but not enough to suit me.
Then I put Crimson Trace Hog Hunter grips on it. CT does offer a "Combat Rubber Laser Grip" for the J-frames, so that might help you.
The last thing I did might not work so well for you. I had Mag-na-port cut four trapezoid holes in the barrel. I have an unmodified 329 to compare it to, and the ports definitely make a difference. Maybe not so much in that short barrel of the 340, not to mention the blast would be magnificent.
Attached photo shows the grip I developed before all the work on it.
10 329grip small.JPG

This is the early attempt to control recoil, first tried on my 500-Linebaugh Ruger, and a way of dealing with the blast.
100_0828.jpg

100_0829.jpg

Get Hogues or get a different gun. All kidding around, if you dont like what you got, get something milder.

The good news was that with 300-gr Garrett Hammerheads, even a close hit evaporated the target.
100_0823.jpg

LOL @ Harkrader.

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My M&P 340CT came with Crimson Trace laser grips (compact size, not the extended) that has a little air pocket at the upper end of the backstrap area. Very comfortable with +P's and tolerable with 125 grain 357's.

My airweight J frame with wood grips and power loads bothers me more than my 460ES with 260 grain Fusion 460 mags.

The Crimson Trace grips are a lot nicer with S&W logos versus the "CTC" logo. Available directly from S&W. Here's a link
Product: Crimson Trace J/E Round Butt Compact Laser Grip

I own quite a few J-frames, including two 340PDs.

In those two 340PDs, I've shot ALL the major factory .357 Magnum loads from 110 to 158gr bullet weights, as well as a number of factory .38 Special loads, and the guns are MORE accurate and more precise with certain of the .38 Special loads, including the Gold Dot 135gr+P JHP.

I'm not overly bothered by felt recoil, and shot 20-50 rounds of every major commercial .357 Magnum load through my 340PDs, and am convinced that these little lightweight guns are generally better loaded with .38 Special+P loads than with .357 Magnum, but, as always, YMMV, etc.

I wish I could quote, but I cant remember what post,,,,, but I previous LEO had stated something to the effect of " In my 30years experience, I saw (BLANK) amount of .30 cal gunshot wounds, everything from .380 to .357, but the folks who were shot with Winchester 158 grain LSWHP +P always proved fatal, with one shot only.

Sounds like good advice to me. You dont need .357's in that. +P ammunition is good enough, you aint on Safari !!

The best advice you've gotten is to switch to some high quality .38+p ammo. It will be much easier to handle and is plenty hot for SD.

And frankly, I'd sell a gun before I put those hideous ergo delta grips on it. I googled them and I may have nightmares tonight.

The 340PD is listed as 12 oz. I believe. If I owned one I'd never shoot the first .357 cartridge out of it! Most folks who buy these super light J-Frames are unhappy with the recoil of magnum rounds.

I use a bobbed hammer Model 60-7 (all steel) chambered in .38 Special. IMHO the J-Frame works best with .38 Special loads, +P if you like. Even in an air weight like a 442 (about 16 oz.) +P feels pretty stout.

Magnum in a feather light J-Frame just doesn't make sense. Just shooting a cylinder full of .357 in an all steel 640 was disagreeable enough for me and my friend who owns it to decide never to do it again.

Load that sucker with .38s and you won't dread pulling the trigger.

Pachmayr Grippers

Agreed.

I've seen - and continue to see - plenty of magnum handguns that get sold/traded or put away and hardly ever used.

Ergo Delta Grip came in yesterday. Fast shipping.

They are hideously ugly but surprisingly comfortable.

First off, they are the same length as the factory boot grips but allow all three fingers on the grip instead of two as with the Smith grips.

They cover the backstrap, huge improvement.

They are very soft tacky rubber giving a very secure feeling hold.

The grip angle is superior IMO making the revolver point more naturally.

They feel great in my hands.

The trigger is easier to stroke at this angle.

Down side. Your hand does not naturally find the proper grip at first. You have to adjust your grip to get a proper hold. This may change with use.

They do not fit my Don Hume pocket holster but do fit my Galco belt holster.

Did I mention they are hideously ugly? The only thing that will hinder their sales.

I think they are a very positive addition.

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