340MP or 340PD for same price

[wingslevel]

Hello,
I just got a new 340MP and now a family member has found a shop with a new 340MP and 340PD for the same price.
I have read the choices for night sight and SS cylinder for the MP and lighter weight for the PD but typically with the cost difference as a main point.
If the cost was the same which would you pick?
Thanks

 

[wingslevel]

Hello,
I just got a new 340MP and now a family member has found a shop with a new 340MP and 340PD for the same price.
I have read the choices for night sight and SS cylinder for the MP and lighter weight for the PD but typically with the cost difference as a main point.
If the cost was the same which would you pick?
Thanks

 

[yankee2500]

My choice would be the PD and add a set of Crimson Trace laser grips. John

 

[WildWeasel]

I chose the M&P340

No restriction on ammo due to the stainless cylinder, Xs night sight is nicer than Red Ramp even though you'll never use them in a confrontation.

The PVD coating on the 340 cylinder is tougher than the coating on the Ti cylinder in the 340PD.

You can clean it without worrying about teh coating on the Ti cylinder flaking off.

 

[pinkymingeo]

The 340PD, of course. The name of this game is weight, and the PD is lighter. The ammo restriction is a non-issue, as you're not likely to shoot 357's with very light bullets. My 340PD and 360PD both wear XS standard dot tritium sights. They're easy to install.

 

[mini14jac]

My interest in a J frame is for pocket carry, so weight is paramount to me.
My "heater" is a 340PD.

 

[StuntPilot]

I would take the 340PD...lighter weight for CCW, ammo restrictions not that big a deal, and easy to clean.

I have owned and carried a 340PD for 2 years, and would buy it again without reservation.

 

[jbeckham]

buy them both. then if you decide you don't like the pd you can probably sell it without a loss due to the fact you picked it up for the price of a m&p. i have the m&p, but sometimes i wish i would have gone for the lighter pd. if you plan on pocket carry i would go with the pd. if your going to wear on the hip, then either is a good choice. i really do like the sights on the m&p, and it handles 357 pretty well. i don't carry 357 in it that often. i would be def if i ever fired it without hearing protection. off topic, but it would be sweet if s&w could figure out a way to finish the titanium cylinder with a coating that would hold up, chamber it for +p only, and put it on the m&p frame. then we would have a configuration that people really want, 342pd. i actually considered buying a titanium cylinder for my m&p, but the cost, plus fitting, was too much. also, the sights on the m&p do help if you do have to take aim. i am so pleased with my ability on the m&p that i sold all my other small carry pistols.

 

[wingslevel]

I agree on the ammo restriction not being that large of a consideration for me. Will be carrying 38+P anyway and the 60 or 686 it would backup will have 125g .357 in the speedloaders as well if needed, not 110g.

on the cylinder finish wearing off, is that due mainly to harsh cleaners or just the heat of firing or even holster rub?

 

[mrheythere]

I like the 340 M&P. Why? It is only 1 oz heavier, no ammo restriction, prefer night sight to hi viz, easier to keep cylinder clean.

 

[mini14jac]

I don't get the "ammo restriction" talk.
Maybe because I only shoot .38s in my 340PD, and there's plenty of room left in the cylinder, so I don't have to worry about it?

The S&W website lists the M&P as being 1.3 oz. heavier than the PD, but a few who have tossed them on the scales have found them to a tad heavier than that.
And since my 340PD is a carry gun, I don't sweat a few burn marks on the cylinder.

Night sights? Well, the previous owner of my gun had added a front Trijicon, so I think my 340PD is just about right.

If I had been the original owner, I wouldn't have added the night sight.
-If it's too dark to see the sights, will I be able to safely and clearly see the target?
-Many who have been in real shootings, and who have done force-on-force training say you won't use the sights when split seconds count.

But, as I said, my gun has a night sight, and I'm keeping it.

Either one is the pinnacle of concealable firearms design, so you should be happy no matter which one you get.

Since the PD lists for about $200 more, maybe it's a better buy?

 

[norfdet]

I used to have a 340PD and I now have an 340M&P, I prefer the M&P. I like the night sight and the weight of the M&P is between the PD and an airweight. I pocket carry and don't notice the difference in the weight until I shoot it, although I DIDN'T shoot magnums out of either.

 

[Ed333]

ammo restriction with titanium cylinder????

...snip...on the cylinder finish wearing off, is that due mainly to harsh cleaners or just the heat of firing or even holster rub?

and
"I don't get the "ammo restriction" talk.
Maybe because I only shoot .38s in my 340PD, and there's plenty of room left in the cylinder, so I don't have to worry about it?"

I was hoping to see an answer to these questions, but did not....
Anyone????

 

[Hikertrash98]

I bought the mp for the big dot sight and I shoot .357 in it. I don't notice the weight difference between mine and my coworker's pd except when shooting it. If you only plan on shooting .38 +P, perhaps look for the titanium .38 no lock that S&W put out a few years ago. You could probably get a good deal on one.

 

[Fuego]

The 340PD. There is no better gun for carry. I have the tritium front sight and the CT laser grips. It is accurate, and pwerful. Also, it is easy to carry in a front pocket holster.

 

[Spotteddog]

For the same dough?
What Fuego said, the P/D.
Were I limited to it as an "only" carry gun? The M&P.
So what I'm saying is, if it's to be your one and only get the M&P.
If it's to be your alternate, back up, or warm weather clothing carry option go the P/D.

 

[Nimble Jack B.]

After carrying mine for last few years, the 340PD is the cat's meow as far as I'm concerned. I removed the rubber grips and installed the S&W Silver and Black wood grips and it slips in and out of my pocket with the greatest of ease.

But the M&P version looks like a nice 5-shot too.

 

[Capt. Cormorant]

M&P my .02

 

[gym]

I have to ask this question

No offense, but why would anyone spend a thousand dollars on a revolver made especially to fire 357 magnum rounds, and only use it for 38+p's. I carried a 38 for 20 years, and there is nothing wrong with +p's, but you can buy a J frame that shoots +p ammo for less than half the price, and the weight is about the same on many alloy and Scandium, Titanium etc guns made over the years.
The idea of this gun was to enable one to carry a lightweight 357 magnum pistol. it's like buying a ferrari and diving it at 50 mph. By the way I am in the market for one if anyone wants to sell a nice used one. Or trade for a semi auto 9 or 45.

 

[mkelly]

I have them both ... and added the Crimson Laser grips to them both ... but prefer to carry the M&P 340 loaded with 38 special +P rounds. I just couldn't get used to that gray cylinder of the 340 PD. Looked like a cap-gun I had as a kid ... and as stated in an earlier post, the finish M&P 340 cylinder is much less fussy when it comes to solvents used in cleaning. YMMV ... but I will take the very small difference in weight for a more robust cylinder finish.