340 M&P No Lock - Pros/Cons?

[wheelyfun66]

Thanks for everyone's input, I ordered one today and will update after the first range trip.

Good choice!
You will love it!
Try out some .38+P from Speer (short barrel)
or...
my favorite load: Speer 130gr .357 magnum Gold Dot short barrel...this stuff is not overly harsh to shoot, and for some reason....I love carrying .357 magnum loads!

If I try to "target" shoot my 340...the recoil seems harsher and I am slower back on target...
but when I draw from under concealment garment and move offline and engage a target that way...I am fast on target and do not notice recoil!

Any way you look at it...this ain't no target gun!
Most comfortable carry gun I have ever used.

 

[Old cop]

UPDATE: I picked up my M&P 340 today and ran 100 rounds of 130 grain WWB through it and it shoots great, very accurate out to 21 feet. Next I ran 12 rounds of the 158 grain +P FBI load, again no problem (no rounds jumped crimp). Finally some mid power .357 for short barrel .357 which I was able to control and was very accurate.

After cleaning I pocket carried it all day and have to say it is very easy to carry, much more so than my 442, at least for me. Great gun!

 

[Phil W]

Love my 340 M&P.. Have the CT grips but really don't need them, the front sight is awsome. Didn't know I could shoot so well with a snub.

 

[Old cop]

Second Range Report: 100 rounds of WWB, 10 rounds of 147 grain +P+, and 10 rounds of .357 Corbon 125 grain. The .357 and the +P+ stings my hand but is controlable. Re: the 158 grain +P FBI load I decided not to use it. In my very unscientific testing the fifth round did jump crimp a little, but not enough to tie up the gun. It did this every time I fired four and then measured the fifth round against others unfired and still in the box.

All in all I really like this gun and it has become my new EDC. The big dot front sight is amazing, contributing to accuracy I could not achieve w/other J's. The older 442 is set back as a spare.

Old Cop

 

[boltonguy]

Anyone know where these are available?

I can't seem to find one and would like to add one to my collection. Help!

 

[RetDep310]

Love mine, but I finally had to break down and install an Apex Duty/Carry spring kit. Filed the rebound slide slightly, trigger pull feels better.

 

[DAdams]

I have had a M&P 340 for over 5 years. It's no doubt my favorite J Frame of three.

Early on I tried it out with a Hogue Monogrip which was great for IO/WB carry and taming the 357 FSB GD.
It didn't work out well for pocket carry with the exception of cargos or very deep pockets.
I ultimately put on CT 405s and they have been on ever since.

Mika Roundcut.

I have also standardized on the SGDFSB 135 grain plus P.

340 vs PM9

 

[wheelyfun66]

To those who have installed the Apex kit....

Does it affect trigger return at all?
I would not want to mess with a positive trigger return, but wouldn't mind lightening my trigger pull....

 

[pazzo]

I had one and it did have bullet jump with 125gr PDX1 JHP. It was also brutal to shoot .357 loads and couldn't get past a box of 50. I then tried the SW body guard and I didn't like it either.

The Ruger LCR in .357 is easy to shoot with 357 loads. All I've shot through it and carry it. I had given up on all snub nose light weight revolvers and didn't care much for the LCR looks, but it'e been a charm. Especially if you want to carry and shoot .357.

 

[Dogmann]

I loved this gun til my frame cracked. Then I did some looking and found more 340's were cracking.

I would love a no lock 340 but I'm hesitant ....

 

[Dogmann]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/186384-340pd-cracked-frame.html

Heres mine....

 

[kcub]

I had a 640 and sold it because I missed the single action capability.
I have an old nickel model 38 when I want to carry a light snub.

 

[slabside2]

I loved mine too until I opened it and the cylinder road passed the cylinder stop and fell on the floor.

 

[cervelor5]

I had 2 340 PD'S and sold them but wished I had not.....until I replaced it with the 340 M&P and I love it! The trijcon sight is unbelievable as far as accuracy compared to the 340 PD and the cyclinder is not as finicky with cleaning and ammo allowance. I put both in my pocket and I sure can't tell 1.7 OZ's. My grouping shot's on the M&P were shocking to me compared to the 340 PD with that night sight bulls eye. I put CT 405's on it more for recoil than anything as I love the stock sight and I don't leave home without it. Even though it's only 5 shot, I find because of my Smith Shield 9mm being heavier i would leave the house with nothing until now. Even if holster carry, I would favor it over the 442/642 because of the sight.

 

[smitty_bs]

Very informative thread and I'm very interested in one. Does anyone know if the XS Sight is the standard size or the big dot size?

 

[Old cop]

CURRENT UPDATE: Still have the M&P340 & it's still my EDC. I picked up the little LCP @ $199 just before the LCPII came out and use it when deep concealment is necessary, but the J frame is where my comfort level is. I carry the Speer +P 135 grain b/c while .357 isn't too bad, follow up shots are difficult to manage.