is a m&p 340 that bad?

[jerry52]

It seen every thread say 357s in a 340 will take your hand off, do these people know how to shoot a j frame. I am wanting a 340 , have 442 shoot 50 +p per range session no problems, so can skilled shooter clue me in on m&p340s?

 

[uncleted327]

They aren't bad, but everyone is different. The bigger problem is how the J frame is pushed as a good beginners gun, they aren't and never will be, especially in the ultra lightweight magnums.
So a lot of beginners buy them and then tell horror stories about how they are. Everything takes time and practice, but some people don't mind snubby 44 magnums, like me, others have to comp their 9mms...

 

[LPD256]

A scandium j-frame will recoil. For its intended use of concealed self defense/pocket pistol it will be a joy to carry. Lightweight, powerful, etc. if you want to go to the range and shoot 200 rounds, buy a 27. But you won’t like carrying the 27 in your jacket pocket.......

 

[31FordA]

I've had a 340 M&P for several years and have no complaints about it. I bought it as a BUG/off duty gun, and it's great in both roles. Normally I carry it with .38 135gr GDHP, but I've also run a bunch of .357 thru it. Recoil with .357 is stout, but not brutal. It's very controllable with 125gr JHP, my preferred load being the Golden Saber.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Grip upgrades help allot....or you could just shoot it with 38+P if you find it punishing.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I've not tried mine with the factory grips so can't comment on the M&P 340 with those.

I absolutely love shooting it with the Hogue Tamer grip. Magnums and +P's are simply no problem for me.

One guy's two bits.

 

[Amp]

I don't think its bad at all. Have used full magnums at the range but I carry it with 38+p.

 

[les.b]

I have both the M&P 340 and the 340 PD. I also have the 640-1 and the 640-1 Pro Series. The scandium framed guns are naturally going to have more recoil than the stainless steel framed guns that have twice the weight. But, they are manageable, and are a joy to carry, which means that you will have one with you, which, after all is the most important thing. My 340 PD is in my pocket as I write this.

Can you tell that I like the Centennial guns? Here are some of mine:

Best Regards, Les

 

[KalamazooKid]

is a m&p 340 that bad?

I don't think its bad at all. Have used full magnums at the range but I carry it with 38+p.

Same here. I carry mine with CTC grips that have a nicely cushioned back side. And while I’ll always run at least a cylinder of magnums in a range session, it’s in the pocket with 38’s.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[colt_saa]

The Model 340s are not for everyone

A 12 ounce Scandium 357 Magnum J-frame is not going to be FUN to shoot

However it was not designed for FUN.

These were designed to give you maximum power in a minimum sized package, they were designed to save your butt when you end up in a bad situation. For that, they do their job well, Very well.

if you are in a situation where you can carry heavier or larger firearm, then that's great.

 

[mike campbell]

I own a dozen magnum revolvers. I reserve magnum loads for magnum duties....that doesn't include paper punching or steel banging.

When my M&P340 goes to the range I shoot 50 regular 38 loads thru it. The last cylinder full of 38's will go into 2" @ 30 feet. I wrap up with 5 light magnum handloads that duplicate my carry load ... those 5 also go into a 2" group. If I were to keep shooting, no doubt the magnum groups would open a bit.

I don't buy into the "practice with what you carry" camp. There's much more to learning to shoot quickly and accurately with a J frame than managing recoil. I know that a few hundred rounds of 38's a year insures those 5 magnums will surely go where I intend them to go.

 

[kaaskop49]

I have both M&P and PD models. The steel cylinder of the M&P allows the use of the lighter recoiling 110gr magnum JHP loads that are taboo in the titanium cylinder PD guns. And while it seems unbelievable, I find those 2 extra ounces of the M&P make the gun a smidge easier to shoot with heavier bullet rounds. A purely subjective side-by-side test of both models, but I find it to be true. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[DRJ]

I find my 340MP very uncomfortable with magnums but tolerable with 38’s. I have others for range use and love my 340 for carry but find my old hands can’t take many mag’s.

 

[1sailor]

I have owned an M&P340 for a few years now. Got a great deal from a member. Anyway, I think a lot of people get the wrong idea concerning the recoil. The pistol is not bucking around uncontrollably during firing. They are actually more controllable than you might think. However, it does transmit a very noticeable slap to the palm of your hand which is not pleasant. Feels sort of like somebody is slapping the palm of your hand with a ruler. You are much more likely to have it with you though since it carries so easily. It is not a target pistol although it is more accurate than I expected it to be. It is quickly deployable and except for reloading (not a likely event anyway) all functions can be performed one handed. The chances are that if you ever need to use it your target is likely to be close enough or almost close enough to touch anyway.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Same here. I carry mine with CTC grips that have a nicely cushioned back side. And while I’ll always run at least a cylinder of magnums in a range session, it’s in the pocket with 38’s.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 360PD wears the slightly longer CT 405s. The air pocket padding in the back of the grip works great. By FAR the best recoil absorbing grips I have found (regardless of the laser feature.)

 

[Old cop]

My EDC is the no lock 340PD and no fun w/magnum rounds, but I shoot & carry the +P. With wood boot grips it’s the ideal pocket carry, w/a holster to keep it from flopping around in a pocket. It is substantially lighter than the aluminum J frame and thus does not cause the pants to sag or bulge at the pocket.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Its horrible, will take digits off, repeated uses will cause loss of mobility in the hand, arm used. .357 rounds will make you deaf, cause brain damage. Your wife will leave you, your children will disown you. Your cat will and abscound with your 401(k) to Costa Rico.

For your sake PLEASE have it sent to MY EMERGENCY FFL - I will PM his address.

The life you save will be your own.

 

[mstokeld]

i do not have a .340 what i have is a 342 - only .38+P, but also lighter than the .340 by several ounces. the lightest revolver S&W has made as a production item.

i used to shoot the "FBI" load - a +P 158 LSWCHP's out of it with zero problems. and i have MS. 3 weeks ago i shot a hog with it using the fbi load and the 5 rounds were not bad in the least

i use a hogue monogrip. it is flush with the bottom of the frame (pinkie underneath) boot on all of my j frames.

 

[ContinentalOp]

They're fine guns. Everybody has their preferences. Personally, I don't think the weight savings, front sight, and magnum capability are worth the extra price to me when compared to the 442/642 series. But that's just me. For other people, it may suit them just fine.

 

[XAVMECH]

340 M&P - great BUG

I recently bought another 340 M&P. Missed that first one, even though it had the IL. The new one does not have the lock. I've always liked the ease of carry, even in an ankle rig. The front sight is very nice, and helps improve follow-up shots. I do not routinely carry this revolver with .357 magnum loads, opting for .38spl and .38+P. I have shot it with magnums and while not horrific by any means, it is noticeable in the recoil department. I would not have any hesitation loading it up with .357 if I was packing it as a BUG, in the woods though. J-frames, as stated above, aren't for beginners - but if you transition to these models from a K-frame or other heavier revolver, it's much easier to concentrate on the J-frame's handling characteristics, IMO.