640 Pro Series or M&P 340 - help me choose!!!

[Jsferrazza]

I don't pocket carry. Since you asked, I plunked the 640, with Federal .357 158gr in my front left Levi's pocket just to see -- almost hides the Nill stocks. The weight was not a big deal, but that pocket is reserved for my S&W clip point knife and puppy snacks.

Lots of info has been thrown at you since the beginning of this thread; I use a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake on a lined Milt Sparks 1¾" belt in either the appendix (easier to hide) or kidney (easier to draw) position. I leave the Nill stocks on when I carry -- they also enhance my ability to draw.

On availability: Bud's has the M&P 340 no lock (sku: 103072) for $721, ships free. The Exchange in Brookings, SD, offers the 640-1 Pro no lock (sku: 178044) for $729, including shipping.

Hope you enjoy the gun show.

Bob

Thanks for trying out the pocket for me! One of my favorite LGS can get either one shipped to them from its distributor in two days , so availability (at the moment) isn't an issue for me. It's really just up to me to decide which one at this point, and it really seems to be coming down to weight for pocket carry between the two... tuff choice.

 

[DelawareDave]

All great points, and all are reasons why I'm considering the 640 Pro Series. I'm curious as to what your take is on pocket carrying the 640 Pro. Thoughts?

Pocket Carry isn't an issue, as long as the holster prevents it from printing. I prefer looser fit jeans and pants, so the gun hides nicely. I often wear a strong DiSantis Belt when I'm carrying, strong enough to support the weight without looking abnormal.

In colder months, the guns slips into a jacket pocket, or else I go back to a shoulder holster.

 

[Jsferrazza]

So, you guys might hate me...I didnt get the 640 Pro or the MP340.

I was at the gun store looking at J Frames, and stumbled across a Performance Center 442 at a price I just couldn't refuse. $414 out the door for a performance center gun! PC tuned action, two tone finish, clip grip (not sure of my thoughts on that yet), polished trigger, cylinder, and screws. It looks as sweet and stands out in a pack of j frames.

I attached some pics that I snapped really quick. They're not the best, so I'll be taking more sometime soon.

Now time to save back up for the 630 Pro or MP340, as one of those two will still make it into my safe in the near future. I may just put the money saved by buying the PC 442 towards one of the two on layaway in the meantime if I come across a stellar deal.

 

[alexrex20]

Still a great choice.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[Mulebuk Sam]

I was at the gun store looking at J Frames, and stumbled across a Performance Center 442 at a price I just couldn't refuse. $414 out the door for a performance center gun!

Wow, I'll say, that's even cheaper than Buds online has them.
And plastic case to boot. (I got cardboard for almost $700)

 

[Jsferrazza]

Wow, I'll say, that's even cheaper than Buds online has them.
And plastic case to boot. (I got cardboard for almost $700)

The performance center case is huge and swallows it whole hahaha. You could fit a whole family of j frames in there, but it's a really nice case.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congrats on picking the 442PC. I handled one at a show last month. The gal at the stand said it had the smoothest action of any J-frame they'd ever carried. I would never ask a dealer if I could dry fire their gun so I took her word for it. She would have come down from $535 to $485 plus the governor's 5% for a cash sale (I'm sure you paid less than her cost!).

I tried the clip grip every way I could conceive it might work, and it just didn't for me. Plus, I'm such a klutz -- my ccw needs an extractor shroud.

Enjoy that little pinto -- it sure is a cutie.

 

[Jsferrazza]

Congrats on picking the 442PC. I handled one at a show last month. The gal at the stand said it had the smoothest action of any J-frame they'd ever carried. I would never ask a dealer if I could dry fire their gun so I took her word for it. She would have come down from $535 to $485 plus the governor's 5% for a cash sale (I'm sure you paid less than her cost!).

I tried the clip grip every way I could conceive it might work, and it just didn't for me. Plus, I'm such a klutz -- my ccw needs an extractor shroud.

Enjoy that little pinto -- it sure is a cutie.

The triggee pull is definitely very smooth and has a "crisp" break (for lack of a better word). I haven't really tried the clip grip, but it looks nice for a synthetic grip. It's not an ideal all day carry method (IMO), but may be nice for a quick trip to the store or if I'm not carrying and hear a knock on the door, etc.

 

[les.b]

Well, I'm happy for you, and I think that you will like your new gun, and you got a real deal on it. Sounds like a winner. It still has many of the features that most of us were urging you to adopt; the centennial frame for smooth draw and carry, etc., and hey, it's a Smith and Wesson, ... I think you will be very pleased, and you still plan to add some other choices in the future, anyway. Sounds like a great deal.

Best Regards, Les

 

[alexrex20]

The triggee pull is definitely very smooth and has a "crisp" break (for lack of a better word). I haven't really tried the clip grip, but it looks nice for a synthetic grip. It's not an ideal all day carry method (IMO), but may be nice for a quick trip to the store or if I'm not carrying and hear a knock on the door, etc.

I use hip grips on my J-frame and can easily carry it all day. Even in gym shorts. They're excellent.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[jay72]

Welcome to the Forum

I own several Smith and Wesson Centennials and other J-frames

I carry the heaviest one that my activities and style of dress allow.

Different tools for different jobs. This choice between these two is also dependant on your personal skill level and tolerance, or lack thereof, for recoil

I own the 340s because there are situations where I need to carry but will be in shorts or swimwear. That rules out a 24+ ounce firearm in my pocket

Understand that firing a 357 Magnum round, even in the heaviest of these 2" J-frames, is not fun. These are your "I walked into a bad place and now need to save my butt guns." These are not target guns or plinking guns. They are not designed for spending a day at the range with a few boxes of ammunition

Shooting full 357 Magnums in the Scandium framed pocket pistols is too brutal to be tolerated by 90%+ of the shooters that buy them.

My 340s have more than 7000 full power 357 Magnums through them so far. Myself and probably close to 100 of my associates have used my 340s to shoot for qualification. Not everyone makes it. One of the LTs described firing full magnums in my 340PD Scandium/Titanium J-frame as "A Character Defining Moment," yes he did qualify.

If you alter your profile to let us know where in Florida you are, perhaps a forum member will offer to let you try a 340. If you are in South East Florida, I will gladly meet you at the range so you can try mine.

I actually had a fellow Forum Member at the range today trying one of the 360J Scandium revovlers

I am a little North of you in Delray. I own a 342 PD and am considering selling it and getting a 340 PD or a 640 pro. I like the option of .357. I don't mind shooting 38+p out of my 342. I am used to shooting 44 magnum out of my 29-10 so I do not think .357 out of the J frame will be a problem.

 

[colt_saa]

I am a little North of you in Delray. I own a 342 PD and am considering selling it and getting a 340 PD or a 640 pro. I like the option of .357. I don't mind shooting 38+p out of my 342. I am used to shooting 44 magnum out of my 29-10 so I do not think .357 out of the J frame will be a problem.

Welcome to the Forum Jay

357Magnum out of any of the J-frames, even the steel ones is a bit more perceived recoil than a 44 Magnum from a steel N-frame. However it is not unmanageable for most folks willing to learn.

 

[Czechvar]

JSFERRAZZA...you've had the 442PC since Sept 2016, how is it going? Any further thoughts on the 640 Pro and M&P 340? I dug this Thread up while researching the 640 Pro...I have one coming soon to join the M&P 340 I've been Pocket Carrying occasionally for the past 6-7 Months. There were so many excellent comments made by so many members in this Thread I had to bookmark it.

Well...? What do you think so far? BTW...I use Hornady FTX 110gr 38 Special +P in my 340...Never really had any intention of using 357 Magnum, but I like things that are overbuilt. The plan is for my wife to have the very lightweight 340, and the 640 Pro will be for me. Weight and size aren't a problem, as my normal CCW is a Sig P229 with extra Mags.

 

[Edknn123]

A lot of people, including me, feel that 38 special ammo is fine for a snub nose defensive carry pistol. With 357 magnum there is the risk of over penetration, increased blast and recoil and slower follow up shots. With the right ammo choice the 38 special is preferred in most cases. So that may affect your choice of an airweight vs an all steel snubbie

If I was going to shoot .38 spl in an airweight, I'd save $300-400 and get a 442 or 642 at just 15 oz. For .357 mag, I would definitely be inclined to get the 640 unless the 340 recoil was not as bad as many say. How are follow up shots with .357 mag in the 340?

 

[michpatriot]

bullet issue?

I actually saw thr first link the other day, but haven't seen the second one. I would be getting the non-lock model if I got the 340. Do you think the bullet issue could be something to turn someone away from the M&P340?

I don't know of any bullet issues with the M&P 340 if you're thinking of the 340pd with the titanium cylinder, that one you are restricted to use above 120ground bullets. Personally I pocket carry exclusively so on my M&P 340 I replaced the stainless cylinder with a titanium one to lose 2 ounces I like this revolver so much for pocket carry that I ended up purchasing a second revolver, a 340pd. I do get your dilemma though... having a heavier 357 on the belt would probably be the ticket for longer range shots.

 

[GCF]

Any preference to one or the other? What about for pocket carry?

Thanks!

Own both a 640-1 (not a pro), & an M&P340.

The 640 is a bit heavy for pocket carry, so rides around in an Andrews Custom Leather pancake (Saddle Style), & conceals well. The 340 is the absolute ticket - for pocket carry.

Equally fond of both. Speer 135 Gold Dot SB / .38spl+p, is carry ammo of choice. 158LSWC handloads (.38spl vel) at the range.

Both carry well, but the 340 carries better. I do prefer the finish durability of the stainless 640, but the black coating on the 340 is holding up well - so far.

Action on the 640 is "a bit" smoother, but the 340 is improving w/ use.

Recommend you buy the M&P340 new, & look around for a used M640-1, in good condition. You will love 'em both...

 

[Czechvar]

I got the 640 Pro yesterday, cleaned and lubed it this morning, and swapped the Hogue grips from my M&P 340 over. Today I'm carrying it around in my right front pocket in a Mike's #4..loaded...to check out carry weight. I do notice a significant difference in heft from the 340, but I like it. My wife really likes the lightness of the 340...so right now things appear good. I'm going to do some errands this afternoon and see how that works out.

LATER: Went around all day doing stuff, and while the weight is more noticeable...it's not uncomfortable. As I said, I prefer the heft. I like it and my wife gets her 340 back...everyone's happy.

 

[digiroc]

One to shoot and one to carry ...

I bought a 360PD specifically for it's light weight. It is a joy to carry, like it's not even there. Even in an ankle holster it is comfortable.

Shooting it is less of a joy, even with +P's the recoil is significant. When I got it I was aware of the recoil factor with such a lightweight gun and I figured I'd shoot .38's and carry .357's.

Then one day I decided that if I was going to carry .357's I'd better shoot some. 5 rounds of .357 was enough to convince me that .38's were the way to go with such a light gun.

So I bought a 640 Pro Series to handle .357's and shoot more range time with it. I also put a CT 405 laser grip in the 340PD with an air channel over the backstrap to cushion the recoil.

digiroc

 

[lowriderfxr]

I'd buy both. Seriously.

I agree. I of course understand that people, or at least most of us around here don't have unlimited funds, but I was right where you are. After a while I came to the conclusion that both had qualities I liked or thought I needed. If you can swing both, you won't regret it.

For pocket / motorcycle vest etc. carry, you can't beat the 340. I had to buy another one because my mom saw my first one and confiscated it.

For belt carry , and honestly pride of ownership, I just really like the 640 pro.

I don't really worry about recoil because I didn't buy them to target shoot, I have other revolvers (686s and 27s etc) for that.

I'm sure if I need it , I probably won't feel it or even hear it for that matter.

Good luck, the only bad choice is neither