Anton Chigurh
Member
Going to get one of those, and have some definite thoughts on the matter, but wonder what those of you who have owned, fired, or carried both have to say.
Others are welcome as well
Others are welcome as well
340 PD vs M&P 340
- Thread starter Anton Chigurh
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I have both but my preference is the M&P b/c it has no lock and that nice big front sight. The PD is carried when I need to wear light dress slacks. It may only be a couple of ounces but the PD does not cause the pocket to pull away. If I had to get rid of one it would be the PD.
As far as shooting them, they are about the same w/respect to recoil and getting back on target quickly. The short barrel .357 rounds are okay but I do better with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P. Neither is much fun and I suggest shooting gloves to save your hands. WalMart or Target has mechanic's gloves that do the job at a reasonable price.
Hope this helps.
As far as shooting them, they are about the same w/respect to recoil and getting back on target quickly. The short barrel .357 rounds are okay but I do better with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P. Neither is much fun and I suggest shooting gloves to save your hands. WalMart or Target has mechanic's gloves that do the job at a reasonable price.
Hope this helps.
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I am also considering one of those two guns (and also the 640 PRO). The PD version is 2 oz lighter and I am thinking of getting it because of that. I will be adding laser grips, so the front sight doesn't bother me much. I have not played with the PD yet, but the M&P had a nice smooth trigger.
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OP
Anton Chigurh
Member
A lot of factors are pushing me toward the M&P, but two things are holding off my final choice: 2 ounces.
I've had a M340PD for a few years now. I carried my M640-1 for about 15 years and really liked it. I always thought nothing could be worse than the recoil that one produced with full power Magnum loads, which is what I used for carry. Then I got the M340PD. The steel gun is easy on the hand now. If I thought it was bad at 23 oz, 12 oz is torture.
That said, the M340PD lives constantly in my left side pocket. I'm right handed. I put my Eagle Secret Service wood stocks on it for carry. It hurts BAD to shoot with Magnums, but again, that's what I use for carry. Every time I go to the range I shoot a least a cylinder full left handed only, with Magnums. It ain't pleasant, but I can do it well. These revolvers are supposed to be used to save your hide. I'll bet if I ever have to use it in that manner, recoil will be the last thing on my mind.
Besides, I'll bet it will hurt a lot worse on the front end than on the back.
Whichever one you get, you'll like it.
Jim
That said, the M340PD lives constantly in my left side pocket. I'm right handed. I put my Eagle Secret Service wood stocks on it for carry. It hurts BAD to shoot with Magnums, but again, that's what I use for carry. Every time I go to the range I shoot a least a cylinder full left handed only, with Magnums. It ain't pleasant, but I can do it well. These revolvers are supposed to be used to save your hide. I'll bet if I ever have to use it in that manner, recoil will be the last thing on my mind.
Besides, I'll bet it will hurt a lot worse on the front end than on the back.
Whichever one you get, you'll like it.
Jim
OP
Anton Chigurh
Member
"Besides, I'll bet it will hurt a lot worse on the front end than on the back."
That, sir, is the point of these little beasts, as you so well pointed out.
One other question: does the Hi-Viz front sight hold up well under the conditions the gun will be exposed to? Doesn't seem fragile looking, but its not as sturdy looking as the dot/post on the M&P.
That, sir, is the point of these little beasts, as you so well pointed out.
One other question: does the Hi-Viz front sight hold up well under the conditions the gun will be exposed to? Doesn't seem fragile looking, but its not as sturdy looking as the dot/post on the M&P.
calviroman
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I have owned both -- the 340PD weighs 15% less than the M&P340. They both have pinned sights so it is easy to install the sight of your preference (most 340PD's come w/ HI-VIZ and I believe most M&P340's come with XS night sights).
I prefer the 340PD as the weight difference is quite noticible when the revolver is in your pocket all day, day after day. If you're going to carry it in a holster -- might as well save the money and buy a 15oz, $350, S&W 340.
IMHO the best carry load for either is either the .357 CORBON DPX or the Speer .357 135gr Gold Dot. Both are very very mild357s...just a bit hotter than a hot .38 +P. In fact I have a difficult time telling the difference between my training load (Lawman 158gr +P .38) and my carry load (.357 DPX).
I prefer the 340PD as the weight difference is quite noticible when the revolver is in your pocket all day, day after day. If you're going to carry it in a holster -- might as well save the money and buy a 15oz, $350, S&W 340.
IMHO the best carry load for either is either the .357 CORBON DPX or the Speer .357 135gr Gold Dot. Both are very very mild357s...just a bit hotter than a hot .38 +P. In fact I have a difficult time telling the difference between my training load (Lawman 158gr +P .38) and my carry load (.357 DPX).
OP
Anton Chigurh
Member
"the 340PD weighs 15% less than the M&P340"
I too had just put it into %, and it is more telling than merely say "2 oz" as I had earlier.
It's about the same as two iPhones with sturdy cases.
I think the weight will be much more noticed in cary, than in recoil, which will be pretty grim either way.
I too had just put it into %, and it is more telling than merely say "2 oz" as I had earlier.
It's about the same as two iPhones with sturdy cases.
I think the weight will be much more noticed in cary, than in recoil, which will be pretty grim either way.
Packard
Member
I have the 340PD. I practice with .38s; I carry four rounds of .38+P and one round of .357 (the last shot is .357).
I like the front sight. It makes for quick aquisition.
It carries in the packet very well, and I carry it there everyday.
I wear batters' gloves while practicing. They have the padding in all the right spots.
But still, shooting this gun is not much fun. I run 10 rounds through it every time I go to the range. So the shots add up over time.
If I shoot much more than that I get a tingling in my hand and I worry about nerve damage.
I like the front sight. It makes for quick aquisition.
It carries in the packet very well, and I carry it there everyday.
I wear batters' gloves while practicing. They have the padding in all the right spots.
But still, shooting this gun is not much fun. I run 10 rounds through it every time I go to the range. So the shots add up over time.
If I shoot much more than that I get a tingling in my hand and I worry about nerve damage.
I'm fortunate enough to have one of each. The weight difference, while seemingly small, does make a real difference when carrying in a pocket. Also, the extra weight of the M&P seems to be in the cylinder. The lighter weight of the cylinder on the PD -- at least on my sample -- leads to a lighter trigger pull -- less mass the action has to move. That all being said, the triggers on both my samples are good and I like them both. Between these two, I give a slight nod to the M&P due to the more durable finish and slightly greater shooting comfort. If I was typically carrying one of these in a pocket however, my nod would probably go to the PD.
luangtom
US Veteran
I fully concur with malph...I, too, have both and do carry the PD most often and the M&P sits in the console of the Mustang most days. Speer GDHP 135-gr stoke each one.
shadow1
Member
I carry the MP 360 daily with Speer SB .357's
I do not have the PD to compare it to.
I do have an all steel M36 and there is a great weight difference there.
I like the tritium front sight on the MP.
I also see there is a warning about flame cutting and lite weight bullets from the PD I assume because of the titanium cylinder.
The MP has a stainless cylinder. No issues there. Of course you would still need to check you carry rounds for jumping crimp but I've not seen that problem yet with the PD.
Dave N
I do not have the PD to compare it to.
I do have an all steel M36 and there is a great weight difference there.
I like the tritium front sight on the MP.
I also see there is a warning about flame cutting and lite weight bullets from the PD I assume because of the titanium cylinder.
The MP has a stainless cylinder. No issues there. Of course you would still need to check you carry rounds for jumping crimp but I've not seen that problem yet with the PD.
Dave N
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