"Centennial" style in .357?

[Triggernosis]

Is there a Centennial style (ala 442/642) airweight in .357 Magnum?

[les.b]

Oh yes. My 340 PD weighs about 11 ounces empty, and comes without an internal lock. The M&P 340 is two ounces heavier at 13 ounces unloaded. The difference is the M&P has a stainless steel cylinder, and the PD has a titanium cylinder.

I love them both, but they are really light for full fledged .357, but Speer makes special short barrel loads with Gold Dot bullets, which are easier on the recoil.

This is the only photo I have handy, the top is a 640-1 Pro Series, at about 23 ounces empty, and the bottom is my 340 PD at less than half the weight:



There may be others, my mind is a little sluggish tonight....

Best Regards, Les

[kthom]

What you need is the best Centennial style .357 magnum that I know of. It's the Model 640-1 J Frame, which is built on a stainless steel frame with a 2 1/8" barrel. This gun is my all time favorite J Frame revolver. It shoots well and it carries well on a belt holster. I would not say that it's a real pleasure to shoot with magnum ammo, but it's day and night better than the lightweight models available today. But it's very tolerable with +P .38 Special ammo built for serious personal protection needs. This ammo, including the Gold Dot ammo made for short barrels, will do the job if you do yours. The 640 Pro is a nice revolver. I have no personal experience with it. I just prefer the older models and the fit, looks, and function of my Model 640-1, built in 1995. It's what I carry when I EDC a revolver. Since I do not pocket carry except maybe in a heavy coat pocket, I have no need for the lightweights.

This is my choice for me. You may have different needs and likes or dislikes. But my choice has been as reliable as an anvil. There is also a Model 649-5 humpback J Frame made on this same frame, but it's a newer revolver and has the internal lock. I've never personally had a problem with that, but I prefer revolvers without it just because. I also seem to remember that there are some late model 60's that were chambered in .357, but this is not a Centennial style revolver. That's all I can think of at this point.

[raisedin99]

My 340PD carried every day.

terry

[two-bit cowboy]

Here's the M&P 340.

[Triggernosis]

Thanks, gentlemen. I believe the M&P 340 is what I'm after.

[Triggernosis]

Any idea why the M&P 340 is almost $300 more than a 442/642? Just because it's .357? Doesn't make sense.

[two-bit cowboy]

It's the scandium alloy frame (the tritium front site probably contributes, too).

Since you were/are military, seek out one of the shops that participates in the LE/Military/First Responder program -- heck of a discount. Bud's Gun Shop and Quantico Tactical are two of the big ones. Looks like Bud's is out of stock right now, and QT doesn't keep them in stock so they have to special order it -- took about three weeks for mine. Heck of a deal; worth the wait.

[blues7]

Still, if you're not shooting .357 out of them and saving less than an ounce in weight...it seems that you're paying for better sights and the opportunity to shoot a round you have no intention of loading.

Or am I missing something? (That said, I do think it's a pretty cool gun.)

The Bud's price for law enforcement on the 642-1 is still half the price of their L.E. price for the 340 (no lock).

[two-bit cowboy]

Yip, I get your point.

I didn't buy the M&P 340 to shoot .38s.

[Triggernosis]

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

It's the scandium alloy frame (the tritium front site probably contributes, too).

.

I thought the 642 also had an alloy frame.

[blues7]

Originally Posted by Triggernosis

I thought the 642 also had an alloy frame.

Aluminum alloy for the 642 as opposed to Scandium.

[MajorD]

Scandium ( lightweight but very strong) is an extremely expensive metal and this no doubt contributes to the higher cost

[Triggernosis]

And I always thought scandium was just a fancy term for "aluminum alloy".....

[blues7]

Originally Posted by Triggernosis

And I always thought scandium was just a fancy term for "aluminum alloy".....

You must be thinking of scaluminium....

[Amp]

Half the weight as a 640 with a sight you can see.

[ScandiaTitan]

360sc shows up on GB periodically for around
450$; it's 12 oz 5 round .357
Think older/discount version of 360pd

[Mister X]

Originally Posted by Triggernosis

And I always thought scandium was just a fancy term for "aluminum alloy".....

It pretty much is. "Scandium" in the sense S&W uses it is an aluminum alloy with a small amount of scandium in it.