M&P 340 Vs. 340PD

[WildWeasel]

Trying to decide on whether to purchase the M&P or the 340PD.

Titanium cylinder vs. stainless other than weight what does one buy me over the other?

Red Ramp sights Vs. XS 24-7 Tritium

I'm looking at a $100.00 differnce in price. That's around $50 an ounce if you buying by the Oz.

Any suggestions, mainly will be for CCW.

Thanks

 

[WildWeasel]

Trying to decide on whether to purchase the M&P or the 340PD.

Titanium cylinder vs. stainless other than weight what does one buy me over the other?

Red Ramp sights Vs. XS 24-7 Tritium

I'm looking at a $100.00 differnce in price. That's around $50 an ounce if you buying by the Oz.

Any suggestions, mainly will be for CCW.

Thanks

 

[i8mtm]

Lighter is better for CCW.

I chose the 340PD. You may not notice the difference in jeans, but if you pocket carry as I do in light khaki's or dress slacks, the lighter weight is definitely better.

I consider my 340PD with Hi-Viz sight and CT Laser grips (Model LG-405) to be the finest pocket carry weapon ever yet devised. It is wicked accurate. The Speer 135gr. .357 Magnum "Short Barrel" load is stout but controllable (for me) and I "pity the fool" on the receiving end of such a projectile.

I think the price of titanium has gotten so high that S&W wanted the option of offering the gun at a lower price point, hence the stainless cylinder M&P.

If you are going to carry, why not carry the lightest package available?

 

[Stainz]

Titanium is harder to machine properly - galls easily. It doesn't clean easily, either. I have my only Ti cylindered revolver - a 296 - nevermore! I'd go for the SS cylinder. Of course, I'd go for a 642, too... as I did. The Al/Sc/Ti 340 with CorBon .357Ms is just brutal. A 642 with +P 158gr LHPSWCs is no 'walk in the park', either, but at least I'll still have it in my hand after that first trigger pull.

Stainz

PS The 296 has a home here, I just wouldn't buy a new one - or a new 396NG, either - too pricey! I do applaud it's SS cylinder, however.

 

[WildWeasel]

Thanks

My concern was the Ti cylinder.
The additional weight is ok for me. I have a 4" 686 that I can carry easily but not all day long!

I like the 1911 platform and own a full size. It's a toss-up, I find I'm going back and forth between a Colt Commander and the S&W revolver.

My dealer stated the Colt is hard to get/unavailable at this time. I'm not so sure that's the reason. I'd like to say I believe him as he's always taken care of me when I purchase. I'm thinking they can't make as much when they sell a Colt versus a S&W.

My other option is a DW Bob-Tailed Commander.

I have $1200.00 burning a hole in my pocket that I need to spend before the little lady spends it for me!

Yikes! I need help! Thanks

 

[pinkymingeo]

I have three revolvers with Ti cylinders. No issues. There's no way I know of to clean the cylinder face, but I don't do that on my SS revolvers, either. One needed replacement after a few K rounds, but that's what warranties are for.

 

[gonnagetmine]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/8871047703

 

[snowman.45]

I have a 340 Sc. I never had any problems with the Titanium cylinder, but I decided to change it out for a stainless one instead. I can't really tell much difference carrying it, but I do in shooting it; the recoil with magnums in particular is reduced.

 

[big moe2]

Carried my new MP 340 this weekend and was with 3 other CCW friends. I was concerned about the pocket bulg (normally carry Seecamp 32 with not concerns...ever). They did not notice. I challenged them...Where is my gun..they looked did not identify it. So the front pocket carry with Uncle Mike passed the test. I have a Mika on order that is supposed to be even better. I am very happy with my choice, glad to hear that the extra 1.3 oz noticibley dampens recoil would not know that cuz I don't have a PD to do direct comparisons. I could tell the slight difference in weight between an empty PD and MP in the store in my pocket. When loaded the difference between these two will be less noticable. The greater the weight of an object the less discriminable slight weight changes. Anyway, in the pocket of pleated or cargo pants I soon forgot it was there. Amazing how when you first put it in your conscious of it and then it fades to nothing within a very short time. Later, when you first put it in the body does not notice. Get what you like. Mine has the CT 405 and my wife loves it...I will just use the nite sights. I am glad I went with the MP.

 

[Joe A]

I have a 642 and then purchased the M&P 340. Love my 642 but the XS standard dot front sight makes a huge difference in being able to quickly pick up the front sight (the front has a tritium insert and an improved U-shaped notch in the rear). Combined with a Crimson trace LG-405 it's pretty amazing for a tiny gun. It's so light that some times I forget it's in my pocket. A couple of ounces lighter won't make much difference except when you pull the trigger during practice; lighter is not an advantage when touching off + Ps.

I also like the black finish they put on the gun; it's very easy to clean and hasn't marked yet. Any of the J-frames require a little practice to develop proficiency but if you're willing to put in some time they are great pocket guns.

Good luck!

 

[SAWBONES]

The 340PD can be had with a fiberoptic front sight which is extremely visible and offers an even better sight picture than on the M&P340, IMNSHO.

I have two 340PDs as well as various other J-frames, and say what you will, the Scandium alloy construction makes for a truly-noticeably-lighter package.
You can't get the cylinder fronts clean of burn rings, but who cares? This is a true niche gun, made to be as effortless to CCW as possible.

 

[Carver]

I just won a 340PD on auction... I can hardly wait for it. I am way excited.

 

[Carver]

Just back from the range... the 340pd is where its at.

Accurate, light, reliable... It was lots of fun to shoot, not to hot at all with the white box range ammo I was shooting. I can hardly wait for my 'choice' ammo to get here

 

[wingslevel]

I got the M&P without really knowing much of the differences and not really being able to "feel" the difference in weight unloaded.
This is the first Tritium sight I've had and will now be installing on my 686/60 it was that much of an improvement for me.

However most of my carry will be as a second piece in cargo pants or jeans and the M&P is much easier to carry then the 60, my keys outweigh it. Would be nice to have the 12 oz PD but am satisfied with the M&P especially with the sight and price difference that I was facing.

 

[WoodsCustom]

My Dad has been packing the M&P for about 4 months now. He really likes it. He must, because he has it on him all the time. We shot at the range the other day and it shot very well. Even with the Full Power 357's it was very controllable.

I have an Uncle that got the M&P 340CT & Loves it.

WoodsCustom

WoodsCustom

 

[Spotteddog]

If I were buying today, I'd go the M&P 340 even at $100 and 3 ounces more. You'll spend more time by a times 10 factor with your carry gun, than anything else you own. The Tritium front blade, and the MUCH improved U notch on the rear, were very needed and welcomed improvements. And if your going to carry the loads the gun is capable of using, the extra 2-3 ounces will be welcome as well! If you can live with the weight, and are planning on running .357's, it's hard to do better at under 1 pound loaded.

 

[Firehouse]

I have a M&P 340 myself and it's like American Express. I forget I even have it with me most of the time. I have carried several guns trying to find the best for me and I settled on the M&P. I had carried a M36 (too heavy), then a M37 (trigger spur), and a NAA Guardian .32NAA (brick), so I opted to ante up for the M&P 340. I love it. 357mag in a pocket cannon with tritium site and low profile black finish. I'm satisfied.

 

[big moe2]

Great to hear so many folks extremely happy with their 340MP's. Me too. Got it just a few weeks ago and reported positively in this line. I now have procurred some Gold Dot 357 short barrel. Have not yet been able to shoot it..the 38 + P by same is very fine. Not too hot. I hope I can manage the 357's. Thats what the gun is made for. Anyone with feedback on that round and the 340MP or PD?

 

[mini14jac]

I went with the 340PD.
Wanted the least weight I could get.
(Wish I could find one of the even-lighter-discontinued Titanium .38s.

)

I've carried over a dozen guns over the years, and every ounce counts when a gun is going to be in your pocket 8-12 hours a day.

 

[luangtom]

I have both the 340PD and the M&P340. Both fill a niche in the spectrum. I like the XS front-sight of the M&P340. I put a Meprolight on the 340PD and it serves its purpose. If I had to choose one, I guess it would be the M&P340 due to its stainless cylinder. Personal preference. No tests done, no graphing. Personal preference. Both are controllable with the Speer GDHP 135-gr Short-Barrel rounds, though I would not shoot it all day at the range....