340pd or 640 pro for carry and use cant decide

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Samsonxd

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Hi all I am looking to add my last J frame to the collection maybe get another way down the line other projects are calling :D... I have a 340mp I am currently using every day, I at first thought about getting the 640 pro but handled the 340pd and of course felt a bit lighter then the 340mp I have...I have not handled a 640 pro...I also have a 686+ Talo 3" I carry around in the winter some so the 686 fills my stainless 357 need nicely..

I was wondering if the 340pd would be a worthwhile addition and if it would be better then the 640 pro overall? I have no problem shooting my 340mp with 158gr 357 which is what I carry..is the 640 pro able to be a pocket pistol, or is it more a belt type carry gun?

I was also kicking around a colt mustang 380 but I would think the 340pd would be a better gun overall. Those of you that own both what do you prefer more 340pd or 640 pro, for a carry gun also I do enjoy shooting them as well and have not had a problem with my 340mp w/ct grips. I have many other smiths but only 1 j frame for now so between those two which one should I get?

Thanks for the help..
 
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I'm not sure that the 340pd would be a big enough difference from the 340m&p. Maybe a couple ounces lighter.

To me it depends on how I will carry. I own a 340pd and an early 640 (357 version) and carry the 340 in a pocket holster where I consider 14-16 ounces fully loaded to be a maximum, or the 640 in a belt holster (IWB) where a little more weight is tolerable. I consider the 640 too heavy for comfortable pocket carry.
 
The Model 640 Pro Hands Down

The Model 640 Pro with it's 3 dot night sights and being cut for full moon clips makes it an easy choice. With the right holster (I use DeSantis belt slide and Milt Sparks pocket holsters) and the right ammo, it's a combo that can't be beat. I've stated before that the Model 640 Pro is the best CCW to have come from Smith&Wesson hands down.
 
Hi all I didnt know if I was to far off base with the 340pd being to similar to the 340mp the other thing I forgot about was the wife she has shield 9mm that she carried fora bit but doesnt now to bulky and big in her purse.

I thought the pd might be better for that job maybe I should get both lol 640 pro for fall and winter carry give the wife the 340pd just worried be wasting money if did that though she likes the Colt mustang but I am not liking the SAO and how you have to carry it cocked and locked....so maybe switch with her 340mp and get the pro so the 640 pro doesnt feel like a boat anchor in your front pocket?
 
I carried a Model 60 stainless off duty for years. As of a week or so ago I replaced my 642 with a 640 Pro. for everyday carry. I didn't think I would feel the weight difference but it is noticeable. But I must say after taking my 640 Pro to the range I'll live with the extra weight difference for now. The trigger is smooth and the sights are perfect. I don't think the 640 Pro in my opinion is a gun for pocket carry. I carry mine in a IWB holster, but it would be a good OWB carry with the right holster.
 
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I have a 640 Pro and its my favorite ccw revolver. I agree with the above posters though, it is too heavy for pocket carry.

With a Kramer IWB #2 it completely disappears under a T-shirt.

S&W really hit paydirt with this model.
 
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If you can only have one, I would go for the 340

Personally I own lots of J-frames including 5 centennials.

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I carry the heaviest one that my clothing allows. A 640 is not too heavy for pocket carry if you are wearing jeans or a denim/leather jacket. However if you are working a detail at poolside, then you want a 340 in the pocket of your swim trunks.

If I can ankle or holster carry, I take a Chief's Special or Chief's Special Target. There is no worry about snagging the hammer on the draw like in pocket carry.
 
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If you're thinking of buying one of those for your wife, make sure she is in on the decision or you could end up with another one she won't carry.
 
Samsonxd said:
Hi all I didnt know if I was to far off base with the 340pd being to similar to the 340mp the other thing I forgot about was the wife she has shield 9mm that she carried fora bit but doesnt now to bulky and big in her purse.

I thought the pd might be better for that job maybe I should get both lol 640 pro for fall and winter carry give the wife the 340pd just worried be wasting money if did that though she likes the Colt mustang but I am not liking the SAO and how you have to carry it cocked and locked....so maybe switch with her 340mp and get the pro so the 640 pro doesnt feel like a boat anchor in your front pocket?
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The 640 Pro doesn't feel like a boat anchor, but IMO it is near the maximum comfortable weight for pocket carry in a pair of shorts - less so with more durable pants such as jeans.
 
640 Pro is definitely not for pocket carry. It's just to heavy. You will never forget it is there. When I carry my 360PD or 342PD in my pocket, I often have to check if it is still there. That will never happen with the 640 Pro.

As far as IWB carry it is much heavier than a 340PD. I have a 342PD and a 360PD. The 342 is the 38+P version of the 340PD. It is 10.8 ozs unloaded and 12.2 ozs loaded. The 640 Pro is 27 ozs loaded. More than twice as heavy as the 342 and 340. You will notice it. It is a significant difference.

A 640 Pro loaded is as heavy as many excellent semi-autos with higher capacities. Might want to consider that. My Glock 19 is 30 ozs loaded with 16 rds. Just 3 ozs heavier than a 640 Pro with 5 rounds. My SW Shield 9mm with 8 rounds is 24.5 ozs. Almost 3 ozs lighter than a 640 Pro.

Not only do the G19 and Shield have an initial load of ammo much greater than the 640, it is much easier to reload. Even the diminutive Shield has 16 rounds on tap with a quick mag change. My shield has almost 1000 rounds down the pipe and zero malfunctions. My G 19 has over 2K rounds fired, zero malfunctions. I trust those 2 guns as much as any revolver I carry.

I love the 640 Pro, just hard for me to justify when there are so many other better choices in that weight class. For me CCW is all about weight. I live in South Florida and I own my own business. I wear shorts, t shirt and flip flops every single day year round. Yes I sometimes carry a Glock 19, but I am more likely to carry a SW Air Lite or Air Weight. If I am going to carry something in the 30 oz range loaded, it going to have a large capacity magazine in it.
 
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Lighter is better! I couldn't have said it better than HarrishMasher!




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HarrishMasher said:
640 Pro is definitely not for pocket carry. It's just to heavy. You will never forget it is there. When I carry my 360PD or 342PD in my pocket, I often have to check if it is still there. That will never happen with the 640 Pro.

As far as IWB carry it is much heavier than a 340PD. I have a 342PD and a 360PD. The 342 is the 38+P version of the 340PD. It is 10.8 ozs unloaded and 12.2 ozs loaded. The 640 Pro is 27 ozs loaded. More than twice as heavy as the 342 and 340. You will notice it. It is a significant difference.

A 640 Pro loaded is as heavy as many excellent semi-autos with higher capacities. Might want to consider that. My Glock 19 is 30 ozs loaded with 16 rds. Just 3 ozs heavier than a 640 Pro with 5 rounds. My SW Shield 9mm with 8 rounds is 24.5 ozs. Almost 3 ozs lighter than a 640 Pro.

Not only do the G19 and Shield have an initial load of ammo much greater than the 640, it is much easier to reload. Even the diminutive Shield has 16 rounds on tap with a quick mag change. My shield has almost 1000 rounds down the pipe and zero malfunctions. My G 19 has over 2K rounds fired, zero malfunctions. I trust those 2 guns as much as any revolver I carry.

I love the 640 Pro, just hard for me to justify when there are so many other better choices in that weight class. For me CCW is all about weight. I live in South Florida and I own my own business. I wear shorts, t shirt and flip flops every single day year round. Yes I sometimes carry a Glock 19, but I am more likely to carry a SW Air Lite or Air Weight. If I am going to carry something in the 30 oz range loaded, it going to have a large capacity magazine in it.
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I've pocket-carried a 640 no-dash for a long time, and am perfectly comfortable with it no matter how I'm dressed. Personally I don't actually want to forget it's there, but that's just one of my many peculiarities. It's like walking with an old friend.

Is your wife experienced in shooting very light revolvers with sharper, quicker recoil than her Shield? Is she aware that many people don't find doing it a pleasant activity?

Just asking.
 
Personally I go by the pound rule, if it weighs in at 16 oz or less empty, then it is a pocket gun. Anything heavier is a belt gun. But if you compare shooting qualities, the 640 pro is much more than twice as shootable as any of the fly weights. And shooting is the idea isn't it? with the fly weights training is no fun, it may be true that in a pinch you may not notice the recoil, but you have to train to be effective. I do have a 442 for a pocket holster for those extreme summer days (not so many in MN), but the 640 is just perfect for a coat pocket or IWB or OWB holster. And you can shoot mags through it with no discomfort, not to mention the reloading advantage with moon clips and the night sights.
 
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