I'm looking for an ultralight carry piece and I've become intrigued by airweight J frames. I can get an airweight 360 for $460, the PD version is $820. What's the difference, besides the titanium cylinder? If that's the only difference, I can buy a Ti cylinder for $130 right now. Is the weight difference really even noticeable?

I believe the 360 currently available new is in .38 Special (the 360J) with a standard steel cylinder, while the 360Sc has the lighter part and is in .357. Neither is a heavy carry gun.

The former will be tolerable with .38s and the .357 version will recoil...vigorously with .357. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I saw an email yesterday and the 360’s on sale were 357 with unfluted cylinder for $469. Not a bad deal if I was looking for one but I have a m&p 340.

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Hillbilly with a gun

The weight difference is noticible. I've got three 637-2 Airweights that have been converted to titanium cylinders and 9x19mm. Weight is 12.5oz empty with Altamont combat grips.

Depends on who you ask, and how you carry. I think the titanium is worth the cost, the weight savings for pocket carry is very noticeable for me. The other side of this benefit is heavier recoil, it's a personal choice for sure. I first converted a MP340 to a ti-cylinder and it weighs 11.4oz. I liked it so much that I then purchased a 340 PD, and now use the first just for range work and the PD for carry to save on wear. Look long and hard at the threads pertaining to ti- cylinders and AirLite models and their attributes/downfalls before you jump in, lest you find yourself blindsided by the care and restrictions that go along with titanium cylinders.

What grips are you using on the MP340?

360pd=11.7
5 rounds=2.6
total=14.3
2 oz steel cyl=16.3
12% difference
if all equipment could be reduced 12% :-)
put 2 oz on belt and see if you notice

Want to talk about conflicted feelings !

I've had my 360PD for about 8 years and it is my backcountry carry piece. I'm light in the butt and can't carry anything heavier and keep my pants up. I absolutely forget I've got it on.

BUT, that little light-weight beast turns into a monster when shot. I believe the recoil is worse than my 44 mags.

Of course, the one time I've had to shoot it in defense, I didn't feel the recoil at all. Five minutes later, I'm looking at my hand for black and blue marks.

It's the worst range toy I've ever held. The best carry piece I can imagine.

I hate it, and I will always have it on my side when walking.


Prescut

Beware! The 360 number has been reused multiple times by S&W to mean completely different guns. I bought (and still carry as a BUG) the original 360sc: an 11oz scandium/aluminum frame .357 with titanium cylinder. Probably the highest power-to-weight ratio in history. The 360sc hasn't been made for some years now. The only similar (although cosmetically different) 360 model is the 360pd, but it's very slightly heavier. Some 360's are .38 special only, and others are .357mag but with steel cylinders, and quite a bit heavier. I think it was a bad idea by S&W to use the 360 number for so many very different guns.

Hogue bantams on both the MP and PD, best in the pocket.

Now put a 2 oz wheel weight all by itself in the bottom of your pocket and walk around all day with it tapping against your leg. just kidding! but for pocket carry 2oz makes a good difference for some.

I agree completely with your post. My two .44mag revolvers (a 37oz 4-1/4" 69, and a 45oz 5" full-underlug Classic 629), shooting full-spec Underwoods, DON'T punish or hurt me at all when I shoot them, even for a whole range session. That is partly because I put the Hogue X500 recoil-absorbing grips on them, and partly because I use a VERY relaxed grip with relaxed and flexed elbows that soak up the recoil with just the mass of my forearms ... the recoil doesn't reach the rest of my body. Doesn't sound like it would work, but it does. On the other hand, my 360sc positively HURTS when I shoot midpower Federal Classic .357's, and has even drawn blood a few times (from the hammer hitting the web between my thumb and fingers). (I also use the relaxed grip with the 360sc, but it doesn't prevent the hurt and/or damage). It's the nastiest gun in the world to shoot, but it carries easier than anything ... it's in my right-front jeans pocket ALL the time, and I don't even know it's there.

Looking for the lightest J frame for pocket carry I purchased a no lock 340PD a few years ago and have been completely satisfied w/it. Magnum loads are too much for me but +P handles fine. Regular range time is a must w/these little guns.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess what I was getting at, will swapping a titanium cylinder give me a "PD" for $200 less than buying one? The only difference I can see in the two guns, is a fiber sight and Ti cylinder. Wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking a major difference.

So...sometimes the swap isn't just a swap, sometimes the cylinder doesn't just fit in. You may need to stone the barrel to get clearance so the cylinder doesn't rub or have too tight of a gap..or you may have too much gap or need to stretch the yoke or fit shims instead..the timing may also have to be addressed, not like adding parts to a glock you will see. Anyhow good luck on your search, sometimes a bargin and what you are wanting takes a little work and or luck.

I didn't realize the tolerances were that loose. I just saw videos of the swap on YouTube and assumed it was plug and play... Thanks for the heads up on that.

It usually takes an average of 5 minutes per chamber to time a new extractor.

If you reuse the original extractor, that eliminates the timing issue, right?

Yes, but that means you have to swap the extractor into the new cylinder whenever you change cylinders, and that is a slow process. Also, if you have converted to 9mm as I have, the extractor has to be milled.

For each my 637-w J-frames, I have three separate yoke, cylinder, extractor, extractor rod, center pin, and spring assemblies so I can swap the entire assembly by just removing the yoke retainer screw. That cuts the time for swapping cylinders from about ten minutes down to two minutes.

The three assemblies are
original stainless .38Sp
titanium .38Sp/.357Mag
titanium 9mm with moonclips.

I usually have the 9mm installed.

This is the most succinct description of the 340 PD I have ever read.

I used to describe the sensation of shooting this revolver as like slapping mailboxes from the passenger side of a car going 40 mph, but the above is a much more elegant description of this little Smith & Wesson.

Yeah, I saw the same deal today and snagged it! The 360 is about 3 ounces heavier than the PD, and half the cost. A 14.5 ounce .357 magnum is plenty light enough! It weighs the same as my 642 with the more potent caliber.

This brings to mind all of the threads on this forum about broken hammer pivot pins, but it's amazing that there are none on broken pins from the PD/MP line of revolvers, maybe because the pivot pins are also titanium...and if you are willing to pay, this is another benefit other than weight loss to titanium...Oh, and a lighter double action trigger pull from a lighter cylinder/ less rotational mass..it's all in the details but to some it'll never be worth the coin.

I went ahead and bought a used M&P340 on GunBroker. The 360s they are blowing out appear to be airweight, not airlite and slightly heavier than the 340 I got. I'm really impressed with the pistol so far. I've been carrying "Mexican style" around the farm, because I'm waiting on a holster. It's the best packing pistol I've ever carried.

I agree. And when they added a suffix to the 360 model number, to differentiate it, they still ended up creating confusion. The original 360J had a steel cylinder, a scandium frame & was in 38 Spcl. The latest 360J is constructed the same but in 357 Magnum.

But maybe it's no different than with the 25/625's? They come either in 45ACP or 45 Colt.

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I hear what you're saying, they're not easy shooters. But like with your 44 Magnum you shoot it (at the range) with big soft grips.

Add some big soft grips to the J-frame's range time & it's easier to hang on.

And if you're shooting the lightweight 329PD 44 Magnum, with full loads, it too is best served up with big soft grips.

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A stainless steel cylinder adds 3.65oz to a 329PD over the Ti cylinder.
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Waiting for the break of day

Thats one of my favorites. Congrats on a great revolver!

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

I owned a early 2005 ish 360Pd for years. Never liked the da/sa, Hammer would snag in pocket, the sight wasn't that good, and it hurt to shoot. I upgraded to a M&P340. The big dot sight is much more accurate to me, and the extra weight of steel cylinder made it more pleasant to shoot IMHO.

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340 M&P 686 MM 432UC Inbound 😎

LG 405 from Crimson Trace and the little air pocket is very effective. They also are small enough for great concealment.
Remember, these are not range guns. They are for close encounters at bad breath distances.

Well i carry a 340pd in either a Mika pocket Holster or a Galco Ankle Glove...i have owned many different small revolvers...and this one hands down is the lightest....i agree that the crimson trace 405 grips are the way to go...this can be punishing for some as it does hit hard with 357 mag rounds...i also carry a 40 cal Glock 27 so to me...it is a sweetheart to shoot...to the OP's question...to me...the extra cost is worth it...lighter is the key when u carry this every day...trust me when i tell u spend the extra dollars and get the one u like...i would highly suggest handling both before any purchase...
That way u know for sure if the extra weight will bother u...God Bless,John

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Where did you get it from?

Check this thread

Model 360 without logo or "Airweight" engraving

And let me know if yours is the same way

You sir, are the master of understatement!

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I just got a 360 and outfitted it with the Crimson Trace green laser grips. 125gr Golden Saber 357 mags and 125gr Win PDX1 Magnums are very easy to shoot, even 1 handed. It's a little heavier and a little bulkier with the laser grips, but its worth it in the shootability aspect. Recoil is a touch more than my 442 with 38+P Speer Gold Dot 135s, but running the speer 135 38+ps is cake in the 360.