Disappointed with the 340 scandium

[Snowwolfe]

Why in the world would anyone drag up a thread that was started 3 1/2 years ago? lol

 

[poordevil]

Maybe that's why they put the warning in all cap's on the side of the barrel.

Then why does my 520 look like this after 10 (!) 125gr cast HP's...no barrel warning there

That looks like lead splatter and not gas cutting

 

[JParanee]

I have three revolvers that have titanium cylinders and I have not had issue with any

Your friend made a stupid mistake. It is written on the barrel for a reason and to hand the gun around and let people shoot it until that much damage occurred is really kinda dumb

They did have to reload after every 5 shots so the damage should have been noticed

If my car has a 10000 rpm redline and I sit in my drive way and tach it to 14000 rpms for an hour and the engine lets loose is it the engines fault ?

 

[OLDSTER]

Very interesting and informative thread !!!

 

[jaymoore]

Why in the world would anyone drag up a thread that was started 3 1/2 years ago? lol

Other than the good photos? And a fair amount of entertainment value?

I don't mind refreshing useful threads, but often it gets done for the strangest reasons!

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I sure wish we could see a video of what happened. Any chance of that?

 

[66snub]

Ok, so beyond the scuttlebutt of the damage and disregard for the warning, you still have a damaged gun. What is the end result? Can this gun be fitted with another cylinder and returned to faithful duty or is it now a "truck gun"? These are beautiful guns and I would be lying if I said that I haven't coveted one of my own at the LGS.

 

[M29since14]

Why in the world would anyone drag up a thread that was started 3 1/2 years ago? lol

Well, there is obviously some entertainment value to the thread, but more likely he was reading about his gun and felt compelled to comment about his judgment that the stainless cylinder was the superior choice - maybe looking for others to agree... ?

I don't. I bought the 340PD because I wanted the lightest possible gun of that type that still conformed to the normal pattern. (had sights, usable stocks, etc.) I knew when I bought it that it was stretching the envelope, in my opinion anyway, but I have been happy with mine. As Jaymoore says, when using proper ammunition it holds up better than THIS shooter!

 

[jaymoore]

...[H]e was reading about his gun and felt compelled to comment about his judgment that the stainless cylinder was the superior choice - maybe looking for others to agree... ?...

Well it is a pretty first good post, having finally gone back to check where this thread got renewed. But maybe we won't hear from him much if he only posts when he is "The Annoyed Man". After all, he has been lurking since 2009!

ETA: It's quite possible he's been annoyed since Sept 2009 because of this very thread. In which case he's also patient...

 

[Alnamvet68]

After reading the several threads regarding blast shields, ultra light J frames, exotic metals, and factory warnings painted on guns that essentially warn that these premium metal, uber high cost snubbies are very much ammo dependent, and failure to RTFFM of arms will lead to damaging the gun, and perhaps permanently. Well, I trust and enjoy my J frames ever since I first carried one back in the 60's, and have never had issues with either the all steel or Airweight models, especially anything related to what seems to be the focus of these threads. While it is true that many semi-autos can be ammo dependent, the worst that can happen is you get a FTF, a stovepipe, or a FTE....either way, a simple diagnostic of the problem resulting in changing ammo is all it took to get your semi back up to speed; and no damage to the gun. I guess what I'm saying is that I would not spend the kind of money required to buy a lighter than air revolver knowing what I know now about these exotic metals and alloys. I only own one of these "esoteric" guns, and it's a 360 J .38 cal only, an oddball gun not even in the S&W catalog, with a stainless steel cylinder and scandium frame. It remains in my safe, unfired, blast shield and all. The other 360 J I had I sold....I'll keep the one in the safe as a curiosity piece, much like a circus freak, an oddity, but most certainly I will not use it as a carry piece knowing what I have learned so far from these threads. Before I spend near 4 figures for a J framed S&W, I'd rather buy a 642 and a 638, ILS and all, with money left over to buy quite a bit of ammo.

 

[M29since14]

Before I spend near 4 figures for a J framed S&W, I'd rather buy a 642 and a 638, ILS and all, with money left over to buy quite a bit of ammo.

I tend to agree, but really, your sentiment makes perfect sense since a Scandium-alloy frame gun with a stainless cylinder is nothing much different than any other normal, modern Airweight. Like you, I have used Airweights for a long time. I understand things can go wrong with them but the risk is worth it, to me. Things can go wrong with the steel-frame guns, too.

We've said it before around here: If you are worried about the frame of your Airweight cracking, just be sure to buy a new one so you have a factory warranty. Chances are good you won't need it, but if you do, you will have it. Also agree the IL is not much of factor. Stupid and unnecessary, yes, but easily deactivated if it worries you.

 

[shipwreck2]

Old post I know:

I own the M&P version of this scandium J-frame .357, and I've had none of these problems:

This model has a stainless steel cylinder, coated with what appears to be melonite. The worse that has happened is a little bit of what I would call "scorching" on the front face of the cylinder, which is apparent in this picture. I have fired 110 grain .357 Winchester White Box in this gun, as well as my 125 grain .357 Critical Defense carry load, and even a 158 grain jacketed soft point white tail hunting load.....which beat the hell out of my hand, but didn't seem to hurt the gun one bit.

I initially bought the M&P340 when I was shopping for a PD model, but the store I bought from didn't have the PD. I "settled" for the M&P. The reason I initially thought I had "settled," was because I really had my heart set on the additional 2 oz less of weight that the PD offers compared to the M&P. But in hindsight, 2 oz doesn't matter a hill of beans when you're comparing an 11 oz gun to a 13 oz gun—both are insanely light—and I'm actually happier for having the more robust cylinder of the two pistols.

I also prefer the huge Trijicon "express" front sight on the gun. This is not my primary carry weapon, and all of my carry guns have Trijicon sights on them, but with the exception of the orange Trijicon HD sights on one of my semiautos, this system on the M&P340 works better than the rest of of them.

The M&P340 is the best snubby I've ever owned, and that includes an 642 I used to own, and a 2" 640, plus the 642CT that my wife still owns (and never carries because she can't handle the trigger pull....something about carpel tunnel...).

I just bought a 642 but the 340 will be my next. Anything else you can say about it?

 

[David Sinko]

I recently bought a 340PD and my only complaint would be the slightly canted front sight due to the off center barrel shroud. Some of my .38 Special handloads use Alliant Power Pistol and 125 gr. jacketed and cast bullets. This creates a huge fireball at the muzzle but there is no cylinder damage with this combination.

The savings in weight compared to my other J Frames is amazing. This revolver definitely serves a vital purpose and I'm glad I bought it. And this is coming from a former non-believer.

Dave Sinko

 

[M29since14]

The savings in weight compared to my other J Frames is amazing. This revolver definitely serves a vital purpose and I'm glad I bought it. And this is coming from a former non-believer.

Another convert. I remember the day I picked up my 340PD at the gun club. I suppose at least 10 guys handled it before I left. In about half of the cases, you could see the light go on when they picked it up. The other half immediately launched into (uninformed) huffing and puffing about how 4-5 ounces didn't make any difference to them and the gun was "worthless."

You can learn all sorts of things at a gun club if you keep quiet and listen.

 

[Realgunner]

I've had my 340SC (silver colored) quite a few years now and no problems whatsoever. I have put approximately 50 rounds of 125gr JHP 357 ammo, and many more assorted 38 rounds through it. I have added Crimson Trace Laser Grips. It is quite accurate and is my EDC, loaded with 38 target wadcutters.

 

[hotrod150]

Every action has an equal & opposite reaction. The lighter a gun is, the easier it will pack & the more it will recoil. You could say that these airlites "float like a butterlfly and sting like a bee". I own several steel & stainless Chiefs as well as an airweight Chief & an airweight Centennial. Esp considering the price on the scandium/ti revolvers, I'm satisfied with what I have.

 

[Rick_A]

Right click...save under "play stupid games, win stupid prizes."

 

[daven59]

Mod 360

Very informative. I have a 360 scandium with steel cylinder. It too has the no less than 120 grain on barrel. The response from S&W (per op)said that was for 357 only and didn't seem to apply to the use of 38 spl. I just purchased critical defense 38 +P for my 638 38 spl and was hoping I could use it in my 360 as well.
Defiantly going to the manuals on both as soon as I finish typing.1

 

[The Annoyed Man]

Well I guess after looking at that photo,
none of my guns are flame cut... lol

This one’s not flame cut either. It’s just the finish on the front of the cylinder that is a little scorched. BTW, my blued all steel 5” Model 29 has slight scorch marks in the exact same spot, and there’s not a spec of scandium on that gun. So......

 

[Well Armed]

This one’s not flame cut either. It’s just the finish on the front of the cylinder that is a little scorched. BTW, my blued all steel 5” Model 29 has slight scorch marks in the exact same spot, and there’s not a spec of scandium on that gun. So......

Over 5 year old thread boss...