342PD - Is it Punishing?

[MarkAlt]

Never thought I would buy an Airlite, but here it is. Didn't think the weight difference would be substantial enough to notice, but it is.

I'm very thankful that my nerve endings function so well at this stage of my life, especially after a lifetime of shooting. I am having second thoughts about weekly practice with the Airlite. It apparently has only been shot 10 times and the cylinder still looks like new.

So what are your thoughts... .38 +P in this is going to be brutal? I'm well seasoned with the M&P 340, but nothing with a ti cylinder.

 

[pittpa]

I think more punishing with tiny grips.

 

[eveled]

Doubt you'll notice a difference. 38+p from my 442 and 340 feel the same to me.

 

[Old cop]

I've shot a couple of these and to me they are pretty rough, especially w/follow up shots. I'd shoot it enough to understand how it feels and where it hits, then clean and carry only. From then on I'd shoot another J to keep in practice.

 

[Alk8944]

"Is it Punishing?" Only if you shoot it! It would depend on how well your masochistic tendencies are developed too.

 

[regalsc]

I have a 337ti that I put wood fingergroove grips that cover the backstrap & I can put 3 fingers on & with Hornady 110gr CD +p I don't feel it is punishing to shoot I think up to a certain point it's what you get accustomed to.

 

[JAREDSHS]

that shure is a purty thang !!

 

[mj2008]

Those grips should be ok. If you find its hard on your hand try Pachmayr compact grips. They actually add about 3oz to the weight. But you get a full three finger grip. The gun will still be very light and much easier on your hand.

 

[pmosley]

Nice find - I have the same J - I have Eagle grips on mine - you'll know that you pulled the trigger when you shoot it but the repercussions will depend upon your individual tolerance for recoil overall.

Is it also prelock? Mine is and it's a keeper.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Nice find.
I've got a similar weighted 360PD that is very manageable with 38+P. That said, the CT 405 grips it wears help allot as they allow a better grasp and are well designed to suck up recoil. Grips are everything on these UL guns IMHO.

 

[okiegtrider]

I've shot a couple of these and to me they are pretty rough, especially w/follow up shots. I'd shoot it enough to understand how it feels and where it hits, then clean and carry only. From then on I'd shoot another J to keep in practice.

Exactly what I do with mine. I have one, it's a handful when it goes off. Mine not as pretty as that one. I have carried it a lot, but shot it not so much. I like the little gun for what it is, superlight, but not that much fun to shoot.

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

I don't see how it could be. If you want punishment, put some Remington 125gr HTP's of the 357 type in that M&P.

 

[cuda2045]

38 +p, no problem. Put some 158 357 mag in your 340, you will know.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I used to have a 342Ti & it had more felt recoil than a 442/642 it wasn't the difference between night & day but the small amount of weight relief sure did make that little J Frame dissapear in my front pocket, In fact a Kramer pocket holster weighed more than the revolver itself with 5 rounds of 158gr Nyclads..
I wouldn't plan on shooting a 50 round box of ammo in one sitting but the only Centennial J Frames I ever shot a lot were 640/940s

 

[MarkAlt]

Already did a few (exactly two) .357s (Fiocchi?) in the 340. But... I'm expecting the Airlite to be much more violent with .38s.

 

[MarkAlt]

Why do you expect 38's in the PD to be "much more violent" than .357's in the M&P? Isn't the weight difference on the order of 1-2 ounces?

I thought the same thing. 1-2 ounces? Not even noticeable.

Well, it's quite noticeable. Then, I hear of people splitting the web of their hands. That sounds unpleasant. Never experienced that with an Airweight or Scandium Alloy/SS.

Anyway, the proof will be at the range.

 

[16thVACav]

A 342PD with CT LG-405 grips and Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. +P is not at all unpleasant to shoot. As Wee Hooker noted, your selection of grips makes all the difference.

 

[cmj8591]

Shooting this thing with full house 357's is awful! Suffice it to say that this is not a beginners gun. The ball of flame by itself is incredible. Add to it the wicked muzzle flip and you have a handgun that is right on the edge of control ability. I love it!

 

[KalamazooKid]

I love my 340 PD and pocket carry it almost every day. Even qualified for my CPL here in MI with .357 mags - left my hand bloodied but couldn't wipe that grin off my face for hours! As far as regular practice though? Forget it! I'll practice with the 38's and find that somewhat, um, pleasant?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

123456 Yes.

 

[alexrex20]

342PD with 158gr +P is a *****cat compared to 340PD with 158gr.357s. End of story

 

[Oldog]

I've had a 342PD .38+P for several years; use Speer 135 gr GDHP +P "snubby" ammo for social purposes.
GOOD NEWS: It's so light it feels like a kid's plastic squirt gun. Once you get used to it, it's plenty accurate for defensive shooting -- I can get 18-19 (sometimes all 20) rounds into the X ring on a 1/2 size silhouette target at 21 feet. It's very compact and pretty much proof against fouling on anything during draw. I'm keeping mine. . . .
BAD NEWS: When a +P round comes to life in the li'l sweetie, you can really tell something happened. 50 rounds will usually give me blisters and a sore, shaking hand; 20 proficiency rounds with reasonable results does it for me. When I first got it, I was having accuracy issues and sent it back to Mother Smith. Talking to 'em on the phone, they chuckled politely, told me nothing was wrong with the gun, and to quit flinching. They were right. The Speer "snubby" ammo mentioned above has good terminal performance, somewhat reduced perceived recoil and muzzle flash, and a lot of PDs are using it. It's sometimes hard to find.
IMHO, .357 mag in a snubby revolver is a waste of time -- most of the powder burns out in front of the gun. What you get is an impressive blast, blinding flash, and sore hand. I guess S&W makes little snubbies in that caliber because lots of folks buy 'em.

 

[jimmyj]

S&W "J" Frames I stick with standard velocity ammo.
Does one gain anything by using Plus-P ammo ?
A couple years ago I did my qualification using a S&W Model 642 with Plus-P ammo (60 rounds). This was a lesson learned.

 

[Oldog]

I have the short, boot-type Crimson Trace laser grip on the 342PD, as well as on a standard S&W 640 and a 640-2 (the batch that was made for NYPD Detectives, basically a .38 on a .357 mag 640 j-frame; gun is a tad bigger, barrel a bit longer). Don't have any problem shooting +P out of the steel revolvers, but the lightweight 342PD puts me outta the mood after about 20 rounds.

 

[p8riot]

I run mine with 135gr +P Gold Dots. Not bad at all, but I've had it for a while and have gotten used to it. It's a first year issue. No lock

 

[GeoJelly]

Owning only a 360J and 637 - I can't imagine (although, I hope I'm wrong!) these little aluminum revolvers holding up well with lots of .38+P let alone a few magnums now and then. Ruger puts a steel insert in their alu-framed LCR, even the .22, but neither of my S&W's have a similar insert. Not an engineer, but I assume the steel insert in the Ruger's reduces the chances of play or looseness developing in the frame to cylinder lockup. I suppose the alu-framed S&W's must continue to work fine, without a similar insert, and shoot just as well even though they have loosened up ...

 

[Oldog]

The .38 342PD AirLite is rated for +P -- ".38 S&W SPL +P JACKETED" stamped right on it. Haven't had any trouble with mine. The barrel has a steel insert.