M340 and XS Sights question

[smitty_bs]

I am considering a J-frame 340 M&P. I like that fact that it has XS sights and that nice "U" notch rear sight. Question however; does anyone know if that is the standard size XS front sight or is it the "Big Dot" size?

I was in my LGS today and they didn't seem to be much help; off day as they are usually pretty good to deal with.

[two-bit cowboy]

I highly recommend the M&P 340. I've been carrying mine for about six months. The outside sharp edges of the top strap are starting to show a bit of wear on the black finish, otherwise NO complaints. I am replacing it as my primary ccw with a 640 Pro just because that gun offers so many other features.

I'm not sure where the "Big Dot" term originated. S&W doesn't use it on their site when they describe the M&P 340's front sight. I think it simply means a white outline around the Tritium vile, which my gun has. Mine is the only 340 I've handled so can't say if the outline is on all of them.

I've seen some threads that talked about the white outline being on some of the 640 Pro guns and not on others. My 640 Pro has the white outlines on all three places.

Best of luck with your decision,

Bob

[smitty_bs]

Thanks Cowboy. I do have an M60 and an M442. The front sight on the M60 is pinned so I could replace that with an XS Big Dot. But those 340s and the 640 pros sure are enticing. Very expensive though....ouch!

[two-bit cowboy]

Yeah, I'm quite sure I couldn't have justified the M&P 340's cost if I hadn't gotten the First Responder's deal on it.

The 640 Pro, on the other hand, might be the best bang-for-your-buck J-frame on the market. With literally hundreds of dollars in extras for only a C-note more than the standard 640-1 it's a steal. And we can't ever disregard S&W's lifetime warranty compared to having all that work done by an aftermarket smithy (that's NOT a slam at gunsmiths -- they might well warranty their work, but it's only good for their lifetime!).

I get it that the extra bucks might not be well spent if you're interested in a shooter without all the bells and whistles, but in my time on this planet S&Ws have outperformed the stock market so there is that reason for buying the full-dress model today.

Cheers,

Bob

[snowman.45]

My 340 M&P came with the standard size front tritium sight. However, I put a Big Dot on my 640. Both work equally well. I wish I could put one on my 60 no-dash, but it has a milled front sight that is a part of the barrel.

[gnystrom]

I have a 340pd, 640 Pro and a few others with various stock sights. In reality, the 640 Pro sights are great but this is a gun carried only for SD. Are beautiful dovetailed night sights really needed? I went to Crimson Trace lasergrips and I have painted the front sights on some of my snubbies with fluorescent paint and for quick shooting, they are as good as anything else out there. The 340 weights in at about 10oz. lighter than the 640 Pro. That is a bunch, especially if you plan to pocket carry.
If I need max concealability, I will always revert to my 340pd.

[Rangerpat]

My 340PD has the Trijicon SR 14 F that is made for (pinned front sight) S&W J-frame revolvers, sells for $84 on their website.

On my 329NG I replaced the factory front sight with the Big Dot Tritium pinned front sight only - .205 H, the pin hole must be drilled, model RV-0001N-3

This is the same XS Sight System Big Dot made to fit S&W J-frames and the Ruger SP101.

[smitty_bs]

I just came from my gunsmith. He's ordering the regular sized XS sight. He's installed both but recommended the regular size for my M60. Said that sometimes there is a POI change when switching to the XS System particularly with the Big Dot. The tritium rod is the same size in both; the white ring around it is larger with the Big Dot as opposed to the regular size. FYI The regular sized dot is the one used on the M&P 340.

I still may get that M&P340 one of these days; I like the way that XS front sight settles down in the rear U-notch.

[two-bit cowboy]

I'll be most eager to see what your smithy gets for your 60.

Here are shots of my 640 Pro and M&P 340. I'm not sure if that OEM Tritium sight on the front of my 340 could be any bigger.

[smitty_bs]

He gets them directly from XS Sights. He ordered the same one as on the M&P 340 which is the standard size.

[Mtnfolk325]

I put the XS Standard Dot on my Ruger 2.25" SP101 & 9mm LCR, made them much faster to shoot accurately. Like snowman.45, I wish I could put one on my 4" 64-3.