SW-340PD - Is This a Problem?

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druryj

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I picked up a up a used 340PD yesterday that was quite dirty. I cleaned it with Breakfree CLP and then found what looks like wire brush marks or scrapes in the finish on the front of the cylinder around just a couple of holes. So what do you think? Is this erosion from firing .357 mag loads that were too light, despite the warnings on both the gun and in the manual, or is it just what I think it is; scratches in the finish from somebody trying to clean it with a wire brush or scraping at it with something?

But most importantly, do you think the gun is safe to shoot? Can these scratches affect anything other than appearance?
 

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druryj said:
I picked up a up a used 340PD yesterday that was quite dirty. I cleaned it with Breakfree CLP and then found what looks like wire brush marks or scrapes in the finish on the front of the cylinder around just a couple of holes. So what do you think? Is this erosion from firing .357 mag loads that were too light, despite the warnings on both the gun and in the manual, or is it just what I think it is; scratches in the finish from somebody trying to clean it with a wire brush or scraping at it with something?

But most importantly, do you think the gun is safe to shoot? Can these scratches affect anything other than appearance?
Click to expand...

Absolutely cylinder erosion. Time for a call to S&W. Can you shoot it, I wouldn't. Your cylinder gap is getting out of spec.
 
Yup. It almost certainly needs a new cylinder. Some folks will replace the Titanium cylinder with a stainless steel cylinder when they get to this point. I believe I’ve seen Midway selling the cylinders, both types, if you can fit it yourself, or have a local smith who can do it for you. Probably best to send it to S&W. The barrel requires a special wrench.
 
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My guess is, S&W will replace the Ti cylinder with a steel one at no cost. They did a lot of this shortly after the gun was introduced.
 
gnystrom said:
My guess is, S&W will replace the Ti cylinder with a steel one at no cost. They did a lot of this shortly after the gun was introduced.
Click to expand...

I know better then to buy a dirty gun, or one that's coated real good with heavy grease...both of which can easily hide scratches and gouges etc. but I let my guard down and bought this one from a guy on a local forum on trust. I sent the pictures to SW Customer Service, we'll see what they have to say about it. I wanted the gun as an extremely lightweight pocket option, it looks like I got burned on this deal.

Oh well, it's my fault for trusting the seller.
 
[QUOTE Oh well, it's my fault for trusting the seller.[/QUOTE]

No, it's not. In my 'world,' we don't blame victims. Anyhoo, if the factory does replace the cylinder with a stainless one, you will have the equivalent of an M&P 340. This will allow you to use the 110gr Magnum loads that IMO are ideal for this gun: much lighter recoil. My 2 M&Ps are loaded with these rounds and I've had no problems. Good luck and good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
Thanks for the kind words, but I guess i should have heeded the old adage "let the buyer beware" and I didn't.
 
Yes, the erosion of the cylinder is a problem. It is simply caused by shooting .357 Magnums in the gun! The bullet weight restriction is to reduce the chance of bullet pull when shooting the gun, nothing about the cylinder itself. Many opt to have the cylinder replaced with a stainless one if they intend to shoot the gun at all. S&W will replace the cylinder with either stainless or titanium at your option, but be aware that the guns with the titanium cylinders are really intended to be carried, but not shot a lot! S&W won't tell you that! They should probably have hard chrome plated the cylinder instead of the coating they used.


And, BTW, the gun is not dangerous to shoot, but the erosion will get worse quickly once the protective coating is gone. My recollection is there have been posters who experienced similar erosion with fewer than 50 rounds of .357 fired from new guns with titanium cylinders, so possibly there really wasn't any yet before you shot it. Then maybe there was, who knows.
 
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I’ve owned the 340PD for several years and have shot mostly standard pressure and a few +P through it. My experience w/five rounds of .357 taught me that accurate follow up shots were next to impossible, at least for me. Most of my range time is done w/a Model 37.
 
I’ve made the same mistake. It can be corrected, I would send it back to S&W for evaluation.

Thanks,
 
kaaskop49 said:
[QUOTE Oh well, it's my fault for trusting the seller.
Click to expand...

No, it's not. In my 'world,' we don't blame victims. Anyhoo, if the factory does replace the cylinder with a stainless one, you will have the equivalent of an M&P 340. This will allow you to use the 110gr Magnum loads that IMO are ideal for this gun: much lighter recoil. My 2 M&Ps are loaded with these rounds and I've had no problems. Good luck and good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103[/QUOTE]

Having owned a 360pd, and a Mp340, IMHO the mp340 is a much better gun for all around actually use.

Smith & Wesson will take care of you. Keep us posted.
 
druryj said:
I know better then to buy a dirty gun, or one that's coated real good with heavy grease...both of which can easily hide scratches and gouges etc. but I let my guard down and bought this one from a guy on a local forum on trust. I sent the pictures to SW Customer Service, we'll see what they have to say about it. I wanted the gun as an extremely lightweight pocket option, it looks like I got burned on this deal.

Oh well, it's my fault for trusting the seller.
Click to expand...

Smith lifetime warranty is only to the original owner....Just an FYI.
 
Edknn123 said:
Smith lifetime warranty is only to the original owner....Just an FYI.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am aware I may probably sink more money into this. Either as a matter of "have to" or just because I may decide to change the cylinder out, possibly to a stainless one.

Thanks to all who replied. I am going to go shoot some .38 standards out of it this coming Tuesday then re-evaluate.
 
UPDATE: WEll, I heard back from S&W; they said it could be light erosion or lead residue/splatter. The tech advised me to keep and eye on it, but if I intended to just shoot .38 through it, I should have no problems. So, went to the range this morning, fired some 130 gr and 158 gr .38 through it and was very happy with how she handled and shot. I like the big fiber optic front sight and the deep ditch rear. Very nice DA trigger; the best I've shot in a J-frame. No further evidence of anything amiss. I will keep an eye on it, but for now anyway, she fills a need for a light pocket gun so I am satisfied all is okay. I have no intention of shooting .357 from this little gun. Been there; done that.
 
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Update:
After I cleaned it last, it looked like the erosion or whatever it is is worse, so I called S&W, talked to them about it, and they sent ,me the pre-paid label. So off it went. I just got notice it's being delivered back to me today by FedEx sometime...a little over 10 days time! I'm interested in seeing what they did. Whatever, they didn't charge me a thing. Will post up once she's back in my hands.
 
bigggbbruce said:
Probably dropped a new cylinder in there.. sweet..
Click to expand...

Yes, that's exactly what they did, and at NO CHARGE to me. They replaced it with a brand new Titanium cylinder. And S&W paid for shipping both ways too. Folks, this is what I call excellent, above and beyond even, customer service. I was so happy with S&W as a company that I ran out and bought a new M&P .22 Compact. :)
 
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