Thanks again for a great discussion! Decided the M&P340CT NoLock was the one. Placed my order and hope to get it this week. Glad we talked before I went with the 340PD (although I'm sure I would have been happy with it as well).
340PD - ultimate lightweight carry gun or bag of frustration?
- Thread starter JTaylor
- Start date
Good choice. If you would have selected the pd eventually you would second guessed. Once you get and use the 340 M&P i feel confident you will never regret your choice and pine for the pd.
The XS dot with tritium vial is a much superior sighting system day or night, as is the DLC coating.
I have been carrying mine off and on and off for over four years and it doesn't show much wear. The DLC gets slightly shiny at the wear points.
Best j frame Centennial snub available IMO.
Speer gold dot 135 gr for short barrel, Mika pocket holster great pocket combo.
The XS dot with tritium vial is a much superior sighting system day or night, as is the DLC coating.
I have been carrying mine off and on and off for over four years and it doesn't show much wear. The DLC gets slightly shiny at the wear points.
Best j frame Centennial snub available IMO.
Speer gold dot 135 gr for short barrel, Mika pocket holster great pocket combo.
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It's VERY nice! Was able to pick it up from the dealer and I'm smitten. I decided to sell the PPK I've been using for my carry gun. This is the one I'm keeping on me all the time. Ordered a DeSantis Nemesis and looking for a good side holster now. Love the Crimson Trace Grips. Hope to get out and shoot it soon. Picked up some 125 Grain NyClad & 110 Grain HydroShock to test out. Can't imagine a nicer gun to carry on a daily basis.
I'll have to pick up some SGD 135 gr for short barrel when I get used to the gun. Mika looks good as well. I emailed him and it's about a three week wait.
Thanks again for all the help,
JT
I'll have to pick up some SGD 135 gr for short barrel when I get used to the gun. Mika looks good as well. I emailed him and it's about a three week wait.
Thanks again for all the help,
JT
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In my 340PD, I do get crimp jumping with Hornady Critical Defense +P 110gr FTX. It's about .17" and it's not enough to lock up the cylinder. Nonethless, the crimp jump is still there. I'm going to try some heavier +P rounds to see if the issue persists.
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UPDATE: My M&P340 had to go back due to the cylinder sliding off the yoke when cleaning (the side plate screw was tight). S&W fixed the problem quickly and I've put an additional 150 rounds of everything through it, to include short barrel .357.
It is my EDC and I could not be more satisfied. Hope yours worked out as well.
It is my EDC and I could not be more satisfied. Hope yours worked out as well.
My 342ti, a .38 gun, had quite snap with +p. It weighs the same as the 340pd. I should never have sold it. I want to get another 342ti, but they are no longer made. I'd rather have a 340pd for the cost that I see 342ti's going for on the used market. A 340pd filled with +p .38 is enough gun in the pocket. I'm getting a no lock soon.
m&p 340
I have the m&p 340 model and its not bad at all with any 38 or 110 grain or less .357 that you put through it. The pain really begins with the 125 grain .357 loads. Surprisingly one of the most accurate bullets through the gun is the 125 grain .357 jacketed softpoint from remington.
I have the m&p 340 model and its not bad at all with any 38 or 110 grain or less .357 that you put through it. The pain really begins with the 125 grain .357 loads. Surprisingly one of the most accurate bullets through the gun is the 125 grain .357 jacketed softpoint from remington.
So in short I don't think that you would find the .357s from the 340 pd to be very fun. The 340 pd is probably fine if your going to shoot mostly 38s however if you want to shoot more than a a few 357s out of it you should opt for the slightly heavier mp340.
elkhunt
Member
I carry a 342ti with smooth wood grips as my constant companion. It goes with me when other guns get left home. You know you have shot it with +p, but not all that bad. Highly recommend.
shooter1911
Member
340PD NO Lock
I have been carrying my 340PD for the past five years, and I can honestly say it is a very practical gun for me. Don't let all these stories about the fierce recoil scare you away. The key is to find the right ammo that is compatible with your tolerance and skill level.
I bought my gun from an idiot who loaded up his new toy with the hottest 357 ammo he could find; fired a few shots, and put it on the market for sale.
I on the other hand worked up to my tolerance level which was the Speer 135gr 357 short barrel. Currently I am carrying the Speer 135gr 38+P because of the availability issue with the 357s.
I am 68 years old and am very proficient with this gun from point blank to 15 yds. Do not be afraid of the 340PD from stories you have heard. It's a fabulous carry gun and all you have to do is match your skill level to a comfortable ammo. Most people feel the Speer 135gr +P is the perfect match.
Good Luck
I have been carrying my 340PD for the past five years, and I can honestly say it is a very practical gun for me. Don't let all these stories about the fierce recoil scare you away. The key is to find the right ammo that is compatible with your tolerance and skill level.
I bought my gun from an idiot who loaded up his new toy with the hottest 357 ammo he could find; fired a few shots, and put it on the market for sale.
I on the other hand worked up to my tolerance level which was the Speer 135gr 357 short barrel. Currently I am carrying the Speer 135gr 38+P because of the availability issue with the 357s.
I am 68 years old and am very proficient with this gun from point blank to 15 yds. Do not be afraid of the 340PD from stories you have heard. It's a fabulous carry gun and all you have to do is match your skill level to a comfortable ammo. Most people feel the Speer 135gr +P is the perfect match.
Good Luck
Mj1268
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2013
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 1
Yes, this is the ultimate ccw, IMO
I have a 340PD. I love it. I carry it with 158grain 357's. The 1st time I fired it with these I thought I was holding the gun wrong so I then regripped and did a double tap. The webbing on my hand split wide open. I cant even describe how it felt without a whole bunch of cuss words. BUT then I decided to try many different grips. To make a long story short I ended up with Uncle Mikes closed back grips with the pinky grip. I also carry it in my pants using the Universal "ClipDraw". It's the NUTZ! I highly recommend these.
I like the revolver because it will never jam, no stove pipes, no safety needed, no cocking as its always ready to go just point and shoot. With 357's its my main gun.
I also tried plain old 38's, Specials and +P's but I really like the power of the 357. I especially like it after reading a recent article about a home invader ( Atlanta Area) being shot 5x with a 38 special and still being able to flee on foot. I do not think that would happen with 357's and if it does the intruder is a level 10 Zombie and you will need 10lbs of C4 to take it out!
The goal it to never have to use it but if I do I want some firepower in it which is why I bought a 357 in the 1st place.
The Pro's far outweigh the Cons IMO!!!
I have a 340PD. I love it. I carry it with 158grain 357's. The 1st time I fired it with these I thought I was holding the gun wrong so I then regripped and did a double tap. The webbing on my hand split wide open. I cant even describe how it felt without a whole bunch of cuss words. BUT then I decided to try many different grips. To make a long story short I ended up with Uncle Mikes closed back grips with the pinky grip. I also carry it in my pants using the Universal "ClipDraw". It's the NUTZ! I highly recommend these.
I like the revolver because it will never jam, no stove pipes, no safety needed, no cocking as its always ready to go just point and shoot. With 357's its my main gun.
I also tried plain old 38's, Specials and +P's but I really like the power of the 357. I especially like it after reading a recent article about a home invader ( Atlanta Area) being shot 5x with a 38 special and still being able to flee on foot. I do not think that would happen with 357's and if it does the intruder is a level 10 Zombie and you will need 10lbs of C4 to take it out!
The goal it to never have to use it but if I do I want some firepower in it which is why I bought a 357 in the 1st place.
The Pro's far outweigh the Cons IMO!!!
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luangtom
US Veteran
I have had a 340PD since they came out. It is one of those shoot-a-little-carry-a-lot guns. I have had no hiccups with it. I stoke it with Speer GDHP with the 135-gr .38-spl +P for short-barrels. The option to carry the .357 is still there. Oh, I also traded the red-ramp front-sight for an XS Regular-dot.
I also have a M&P340, stoke it with the same rounds and only one issue and S&W fixed that. Loose barrel that got tightened.
I also have a M&P340, stoke it with the same rounds and only one issue and S&W fixed that. Loose barrel that got tightened.
myhardtop
Member
360 PD
I own 2 of these and love them. Sure they are alittle dicey with full load 357's. I have Esmeralda open back wood grips that fit my hand great and a bobbed hammer. Shooting 38's is alot of fun. It is in my front pocket and the other in my coat. Both are loaded with 2 each of Plus P's. and the last 3 are 158 grain HP 357's. If you are afraid of recoil, this is not for you. I have had my right thumb rebuilt a few years ago and has no effect at all. Love it!! I am also in my mid 60's. Another great carry is the N frame 327 PC. I carry this one when I have a long shirt or jacket on. Now thats a great carry with 8 shots. They are pricey but worth every penny.
I own 2 of these and love them. Sure they are alittle dicey with full load 357's. I have Esmeralda open back wood grips that fit my hand great and a bobbed hammer. Shooting 38's is alot of fun. It is in my front pocket and the other in my coat. Both are loaded with 2 each of Plus P's. and the last 3 are 158 grain HP 357's. If you are afraid of recoil, this is not for you. I have had my right thumb rebuilt a few years ago and has no effect at all. Love it!! I am also in my mid 60's. Another great carry is the N frame 327 PC. I carry this one when I have a long shirt or jacket on. Now thats a great carry with 8 shots. They are pricey but worth every penny.
beemerphile
Member
The 2 ounce difference between the M&P and the PD is significant for some forms of carry - like pocket carry (with a pocket holster) in dress pants. For other forms of carry, like IWB, OWB the difference is insignificant.
For pocket carry it is unsurpassed. I have the 342PD too and since I only carry the 340PD with .38 Spl. Short Barrel Gold Dots, it would have been as good. Knowing what I know now, I would have bought the 342PD instead. I have gotten over any desire to load the 340PD with .357's. Kills on one end and maims on the other.
For pocket carry it is unsurpassed. I have the 342PD too and since I only carry the 340PD with .38 Spl. Short Barrel Gold Dots, it would have been as good. Knowing what I know now, I would have bought the 342PD instead. I have gotten over any desire to load the 340PD with .357's. Kills on one end and maims on the other.
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Maybe a little overly dramatic, but I have to agree.
Hind-sight is usually 20-20 (or better!) and I too can honestly say I would prefer a 342PD to my 340PD, knowing what I know now. That is not to say I have anything against the 340. It's a great little gun. I am just confident the 342 would do anything I want a gun like that to do. Maybe someday one will come along...
tomcatt51
Member
Yep. I have a 342 and like it. 357's in a gun this weight are nuts. Even with pachmayrs modified to actually fit my hands, Speer 135 SB HPs loaded to just over factory velocities are all I want to shoot. Scandium and titanium, great carry gun.
I bought one for the same reason you did. After shooting .357 magnums through it several times I sold it, bought a 640 Pro and never looked back. SC/TI are cool high strength alloys. Steel is old school, weighs more and therefore I can handle .357s with it with no problems. It's now my EDC.
Bag of Frustation to answer your question
Bag of Frustation to answer your question
sourdough44
Member
Plenty of opinions, here's another. I have the 340PD, easy carry. I don't see any reason to shoot full house 357 loads in it, 38 spcl +p is plenty for me. I also don't consider it a 'range gun', a little testing then carry. I have no intention if running up a high round count with mine.
