It seen every thread say 357s in a 340 will take your hand off, do these people know how to shoot a j frame. I am wanting a 340 , have 442 shoot 50 +p per range session no problems, so can skilled shooter clue me in on m&p340s?

They aren't bad, but everyone is different. The bigger problem is how the J frame is pushed as a good beginners gun, they aren't and never will be, especially in the ultra lightweight magnums.
So a lot of beginners buy them and then tell horror stories about how they are. Everything takes time and practice, but some people don't mind snubby 44 magnums, like me, others have to comp their 9mms...

A scandium j-frame will recoil. For its intended use of concealed self defense/pocket pistol it will be a joy to carry. Lightweight, powerful, etc. if you want to go to the range and shoot 200 rounds, buy a 27. But you won’t like carrying the 27 in your jacket pocket.......

I've had a 340 M&P for several years and have no complaints about it. I bought it as a BUG/off duty gun, and it's great in both roles. Normally I carry it with .38 135gr GDHP, but I've also run a bunch of .357 thru it. Recoil with .357 is stout, but not brutal. It's very controllable with 125gr JHP, my preferred load being the Golden Saber.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

Grip upgrades help allot....or you could just shoot it with 38+P if you find it punishing.

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Dave

I've not tried mine with the factory grips so can't comment on the M&P 340 with those.

I absolutely love shooting it with the Hogue Tamer grip. Magnums and +P's are simply no problem for me.

One guy's two bits.

Attached Images

M&P 340, Hogue Centennial Tamer grips.jpg (110.3 KB, 241 views)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I don't think its bad at all. Have used full magnums at the range but I carry it with 38+p.

I have both the M&P 340 and the 340 PD. I also have the 640-1 and the 640-1 Pro Series. The scandium framed guns are naturally going to have more recoil than the stainless steel framed guns that have twice the weight. But, they are manageable, and are a joy to carry, which means that you will have one with you, which, after all is the most important thing. My 340 PD is in my pocket as I write this.

Can you tell that I like the Centennial guns? Here are some of mine:



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Same here. I carry mine with CTC grips that have a nicely cushioned back side. And while I’ll always run at least a cylinder of magnums in a range session, it’s in the pocket with 38’s.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Pass it on.
Mark

The Model 340s are not for everyone

A 12 ounce Scandium 357 Magnum J-frame is not going to be FUN to shoot

However it was not designed for FUN.

These were designed to give you maximum power in a minimum sized package, they were designed to save your butt when you end up in a bad situation. For that, they do their job well, Very well.
if you are in a situation where you can carry heavier or larger firearm, then that's great.

I own a dozen magnum revolvers. I reserve magnum loads for magnum duties....that doesn't include paper punching or steel banging.

When my M&P340 goes to the range I shoot 50 regular 38 loads thru it. The last cylinder full of 38's will go into 2" @ 30 feet. I wrap up with 5 light magnum handloads that duplicate my carry load ... those 5 also go into a 2" group. If I were to keep shooting, no doubt the magnum groups would open a bit.

I don't buy into the "practice with what you carry" camp. There's much more to learning to shoot quickly and accurately with a J frame than managing recoil. I know that a few hundred rounds of 38's a year insures those 5 magnums will surely go where I intend them to go.

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Carry.."hope" isn't a strategy

I have both M&P and PD models. The steel cylinder of the M&P allows the use of the lighter recoiling 110gr magnum JHP loads that are taboo in the titanium cylinder PD guns. And while it seems unbelievable, I find those 2 extra ounces of the M&P make the gun a smidge easier to shoot with heavier bullet rounds. A purely subjective side-by-side test of both models, but I find it to be true. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I find my 340MP very uncomfortable with magnums but tolerable with 38’s. I have others for range use and love my 340 for carry but find my old hands can’t take many mag’s.

I have owned an M&P340 for a few years now. Got a great deal from a member. Anyway, I think a lot of people get the wrong idea concerning the recoil. The pistol is not bucking around uncontrollably during firing. They are actually more controllable than you might think. However, it does transmit a very noticeable slap to the palm of your hand which is not pleasant. Feels sort of like somebody is slapping the palm of your hand with a ruler. You are much more likely to have it with you though since it carries so easily. It is not a target pistol although it is more accurate than I expected it to be. It is quickly deployable and except for reloading (not a likely event anyway) all functions can be performed one handed. The chances are that if you ever need to use it your target is likely to be close enough or almost close enough to touch anyway.

My 360PD wears the slightly longer CT 405s. The air pocket padding in the back of the grip works great. By FAR the best recoil absorbing grips I have found (regardless of the laser feature.)

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Dave

My EDC is the no lock 340PD and no fun w/magnum rounds, but I shoot & carry the +P. With wood boot grips it’s the ideal pocket carry, w/a holster to keep it from flopping around in a pocket. It is substantially lighter than the aluminum J frame and thus does not cause the pants to sag or bulge at the pocket.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Its horrible, will take digits off, repeated uses will cause loss of mobility in the hand, arm used. .357 rounds will make you deaf, cause brain damage. Your wife will leave you, your children will disown you. Your cat will and abscound with your 401(k) to Costa Rico.

For your sake PLEASE have it sent to MY EMERGENCY FFL - I will PM his address.

The life you save will be your own.

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Certified Curmudgeon

i do not have a .340 what i have is a 342 - only .38+P, but also lighter than the .340 by several ounces. the lightest revolver S&W has made as a production item.

i used to shoot the "FBI" load - a +P 158 LSWCHP's out of it with zero problems. and i have MS. 3 weeks ago i shot a hog with it using the fbi load and the 5 rounds were not bad in the least

i use a hogue monogrip. it is flush with the bottom of the frame (pinkie underneath) boot on all of my j frames.

They're fine guns. Everybody has their preferences. Personally, I don't think the weight savings, front sight, and magnum capability are worth the extra price to me when compared to the 442/642 series. But that's just me. For other people, it may suit them just fine.

I recently bought another 340 M&P. Missed that first one, even though it had the IL. The new one does not have the lock. I've always liked the ease of carry, even in an ankle rig. The front sight is very nice, and helps improve follow-up shots. I do not routinely carry this revolver with .357 magnum loads, opting for .38spl and .38+P. I have shot it with magnums and while not horrific by any means, it is noticeable in the recoil department. I would not have any hesitation loading it up with .357 if I was packing it as a BUG, in the woods though. J-frames, as stated above, aren't for beginners - but if you transition to these models from a K-frame or other heavier revolver, it's much easier to concentrate on the J-frame's handling characteristics, IMO.

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All true. However, it must be said that it will prevent Communism and also do your income taxes. What more could you want?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. Seriously, nice to read something positive about these guns, for a change. Thanks, all.

thanks for the comments, as i thought a lot pf people don't know how to shoot a j frame, or what it was built for.

Not according to the Factory:
As introduced, the factory configured 340PD weighs 11.4 ounces
As introduced, the factory configured 342 weighs 12 ounces
As introduced, the factory configured M&P340 weighs 13.3 ounces
Not too much difference in these 3. After their initial shipments some of these configurations had grip changes that moved the factory weights up or down a bit

Aluminium frame, aluminium cylinder and aluminium barrel sleeve make the 8 shot, Model 317 the lightest factory production J-Frame at 9.9 ounces Mine has had the rubber grips replaced with the rosewood, this pushed it's weight back above the 10 ounce mark

I have a customer that regularly challenges me to shoot my 340PD and he with his 340M&P offhand at 75'-150'. We each shoot a couple of boxes of handloads or factory 38sp usually in three round segments. I have the Crimson Trace LG405 grips and he uses the stock S&W rubber. After one gets unto the rhythm neither of these guns are painful and the challenge of shooting at that distance if great training.
If you want a snubbie to drop in a good pocket holster and literally forget it is there, go for it. If you want a range gun or a dedicated house gun, go for the all steel 640 or a Kimber K6s.

My problem shooting magnum loads out of lightweight J frames isn't so much pain, but my hand gets the shakes by the third or fourth round. In a self defense situation I doubt you'd have the time to think about it though. For me carrying the little bit of extra weight of a 60 Pro or 640 Pro is well worth the hassle as it makes shooting magnums more palatable.

I shot a friends 340PD, which has a Scandium frame and Titanium cylinder. It was loaded with .357, but I forget the bullet weight. It was very unpleasant to shoot, so I only put 5 rounds through it.

I've owned and shot various J frames since 1978 or so. I'm pretty confident that I know how to shoot a J frame.

A Ergo Delta Grip would probably help, but a lot of people don't like the look of them.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I have the M&P 340 and use it for concealed carry as well. I have put the a set of Crimson Trace on it and had a trigger job done to reduce it to a 5-6 lb pull. That made a world of difference.Range time is fine and I can handle it well. I have shot a few cylinders of 357 thru but stay away from that in favor of38+P. Overall pleased ,

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NRA Bene Life, SWCA 2372

well bought a 340 ran about 65 rounds of golden sabers and speer short barrel 357s works great,recoil no big deal, will admit to a band aid on web of hand but no problems keeping on target. great gun will be my edc

Thanks for the follow-up. Will have to p/u some Golden Sabres since everyone who has mentioned them has liked them. Difficult to find .357 HP ammo here in the valley, tho. May I suggest an inexpensive set of weightlifter's gloves available from WM for about $10 to cover/cushion the web of the hand for range work.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I don't own a titanium revolver built by S&W, but I own one made by brand X.

This is the first time I've seen a reference to 110gr magnums being verboten in titanium guns.

Could you please elaborate? What specifically is the issue with this load in a titanium cylinder?

Smith and Wesson does not manufacture any Titanium revolvers

Smith and Wesson does offer both Stainless and Scandium framed revolvers that have Titanium cylinders.

Warnings or cautions that Smith and Wesson has made for their firearms over the past 15+ years do not translate to Brand-X.

If you want us to give you our experiences with Brand-X you will need to tell us who Brand-X is so we do not guess incorrectly

However, your best course of action is to contact Company-X about what ever firearm you have a concern over.

Smith and Wesson has ALWAYS has a restriction on using 357 Magnum ammunition with projectiles weighing below 129 grains for personal defense in the 2" Scandium framed, Titanium cylinder Model 340 revolvers. This caution has been etched directly into the barrel shroud of the firearm since their introduction in the late 1990s.

The possible failure is that the firearm acts like a kinetic hammer and pulls the 4th or 5th projectile far enough from the case mouth to lock up the cylinder

OK, it is a Taurus 617Ti.
When I said a "titanium revolver" I meant a titanium cylinder - as I more explicitly said in the last line of my previous post. Sorry for any confusion created by my poor phrasing of my question.

But back to the original question: why specifically does S&W recommend against 110 grain magnums in guns with titanium cylinders?

You responded before I finished my revision above.

I would have guessed that you were talking about one of the Taurus offering, but I like to be sure

BTW, the 617Ti is a Total Titanium firearm from Taurus. You have a Titanium frame, Titanium cylinder and a Titanium barrel shroud with a stainless liner.

Titanium is MUCH heavier than Scandium. The 2" Model 340s in question weigh in at under 12 ounces, your revolver 617Ti hits the scale right at the 20 ounce mark. That is a 65% heavier firearm
The warning has nothing to do with the construction materials. It is a physics issue directly related to weights and recoil

You are correct on all counts regarding my Taurus. One benefit of the Taurus, which is not only heavier than the J-frame it is slightly larger as well (pretty much a L-frame cylinder in a K-frame with a J-frame grip) is that it holds SEVEN rounds instead of 5. Below is a photo of the 617Ti like mine - different finish than the polished on you posted, though I have a much slimmer set of grips on mine to make it pocketable.

So the issue is bullet jump. Interesting. I don't recall having seen that, and from the original post I got the impression that the concern had something specifically to do with titanium, when in fact it has more to do with the flyweight revolvers in general.
Thanks for the clarification.

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617-TT.jpg (87.4 KB, 24 views)

Heres a tip to see if you can use it defensively worst case.
Sprint 100yds. Immediately Pull out your defense loads and shoot 2 targets. Every miss is a lawsuit.
Personally I dont know if I would carry the 357 in the 340 for self defense among 2 legged predators.

Side note: YOU can only bring/use the wrong tool for a given purpose.
I know what you meant in your question but “Is a gun bad?” Is a question best left on the left

Anyone has the disassembled diagram of M&P340? Is it the same as 340PD except with steel cylinder?


More importantly, does it have shrouded barrel like the 340PD?


Thanks

One suggestion I have from my limited experience. To avoid painful recoil, RELAX YOUR HAND. Go with the flow. When the gun kick up, let it kick.


I never fire the scandium J frame, but I have a few Freedom Arm 22 Mag tiny revolver with 1" barrel. They kicked hard as they are like 4oz. I absolutely have no problem shooting, no pain. I just go with the recoil, I never feel any difference in recovery time whether you hold tight or relax.


Even in target shooting at 25yds, I always shoot relax. I am not an excellent shooter, I average 70% or higher into the black at 25yds, definitely above average. I always shoot relax. So it does not hurt accuracy. Just a lot more comfortable shooting.


JMHO

Yes, they both have scandium frames & two-piece barrels.

The M&P340 has a steel cylinder & weighs 13.8oz & the 340PD has a titanium cylinder & weigh 11.8oz & has different front sights.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I know this was just a typo on your part but for anybody who doesn't know it's "not less than 120 grain bullet", for clarification.

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Waiting for the break of day