I know I asked a lot of questions regarding the M&P 340 and had several posts. I want to thank everyone for their help and for the knowledge you shared. I did buy the gun yesterday and hopefully next week I can get to the range to try it out. JL
M&P 340
- Thread starter John Law
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Excellent choice!
I still have not put mine through it's paces...but will eventually.
We will wait for the full report!
I still have not put mine through it's paces...but will eventually.
We will wait for the full report!
Marshal Tom
Member
I have one and it is my daily carry. Great choice. I carry .38 GDHP for short barrels in it and will probably switch to the same load in .357.
Tom
Tom
J-Frame carry veteran of over 40 years. M&P 340 is the first new Smith of any variation I've purchased in well over a decade. Bought it for the light weight with +P capability and the front sight. I suspect after tuning it will move to the top of the pile.
I first started carrying a J frame as a bug when I was on NYPD and have had one in some form or other for over 30 years. I have to admit that the technology in materials has passed me by, thats why I asked for help. I thought the 340PD was nice but way to light, I was also unsure about the Titanium cylinder. When I bought the M&P 340 I wanted something light but not 11 ozs, this is nice because it falls between the Airlite and Airweight. I do plan to try some 357s but I think it will be punishment, my carry loads will be 38+P Gold Dot 135gr short barrel.
In checking Speers LE site they show three loads in 357, two are standard GD, one is Short Barrel. The short barrel load has pretty light specs, just a bit hotter than 38 +P. The 357 135gr short barrel specs are listed as having a muzzel vel of 990ft/ sec with muzzle energy at 284 ft. lbs. Thats way lower than the standard GD 125 gr and 158 gr.
Has anyone tried this load ? I also apologize for not posting pics I dont have any way to do it. JL
In checking Speers LE site they show three loads in 357, two are standard GD, one is Short Barrel. The short barrel load has pretty light specs, just a bit hotter than 38 +P. The 357 135gr short barrel specs are listed as having a muzzel vel of 990ft/ sec with muzzle energy at 284 ft. lbs. Thats way lower than the standard GD 125 gr and 158 gr.
Has anyone tried this load ? I also apologize for not posting pics I dont have any way to do it. JL
I think you are by now enjoying or soon will be; your new M&P 340. If I didn't post this link before you may find it interesting. I believe it to be largest dedicated thread to the M&P 340 on the Web.
M&p 340 - THR
I have had one for over 4 years and have a few hundred rounds through it. I feel that it is the ultimate carry snub.
Light weight at 13.3 ounces. Stainless cylinder. XS dot night sights, DLC coating for durability and stealth, shoots .38spl, plus P and .357. Add Crimson Trace grips if you are a believer (405 or 305) and a Mika Roundcut pocket holster for pocket carry. Carry ammo, you will have to come to the conclusion what you like best. I still fall back on SGDFSB 135gr JHP Plus P as my first choice.
When I first bought it I tried some Hogue Monogrips just to run a few boxes of .357through it (worth the $20 bucks) to make sure it would stand up to the load. The 340 had just come out, so no one I could find had really wrung one out other than I'm sure S*W. What fun. 7 Yards and a variety of .357 over a few trips to the range and in addition .38spl and plus P.
M&p 340 - THR
I have had one for over 4 years and have a few hundred rounds through it. I feel that it is the ultimate carry snub.
Light weight at 13.3 ounces. Stainless cylinder. XS dot night sights, DLC coating for durability and stealth, shoots .38spl, plus P and .357. Add Crimson Trace grips if you are a believer (405 or 305) and a Mika Roundcut pocket holster for pocket carry. Carry ammo, you will have to come to the conclusion what you like best. I still fall back on SGDFSB 135gr JHP Plus P as my first choice.
When I first bought it I tried some Hogue Monogrips just to run a few boxes of .357through it (worth the $20 bucks) to make sure it would stand up to the load. The 340 had just come out, so no one I could find had really wrung one out other than I'm sure S*W. What fun. 7 Yards and a variety of .357 over a few trips to the range and in addition .38spl and plus P.
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The Speer Short Barrel .38 round was designed specifically for the NYPD and their snubnose revolvers. According to Massad Ayoob's articles, it has an excellent track record in actual shootings. He is a big proponent of that load.
Here are a few of my favorite snub and ammo websites. Some of this is dated but makes for good reading. New ammunition better or not has come out since some of these tests were published. YMMV. I'm looking for POI more often than not close to POA. Then expansion and penetration not necessarily in that order. All the action is going to be within 10 yards so plus minus 75 FPS isn't really germane again my opinion.
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101
.38 Special
Handguns
Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo
Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business
The Snubnose Files
The J-Frame solution
Snub Training Reviews
A
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101
.38 Special
Handguns
Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo
Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business
The Snubnose Files
The J-Frame solution
Snub Training Reviews
A
TC I have been carrying the Speer GDSB 135 gr in my older 637. I believe it to be one of the best available and it has taken the place of the Remington LSWCHP 158gr which I used to carry. Reading the other posts, everyone seems to concur with that.
DAdams thanks for all the additional info. Your 340 looks brand new and you mention you've carried it 4 years, Troopers looks the same. Does the Matte Black finish hold up that well ?
I have carried my 637 daily for 2 years and the back strap has taken the brunt of the wear, the coating has a lot of chips, the rest of the gun has mostly holster wear where the finish has been rubbed shiny. When you look at it there is no doubt its been used. I have read that the Matte Black guns, M&P 340, 340PD and 442 hold up better than the Matte Silver on the 637 & 642.
DAdams thanks for all the additional info. Your 340 looks brand new and you mention you've carried it 4 years, Troopers looks the same. Does the Matte Black finish hold up that well ?
I have carried my 637 daily for 2 years and the back strap has taken the brunt of the wear, the coating has a lot of chips, the rest of the gun has mostly holster wear where the finish has been rubbed shiny. When you look at it there is no doubt its been used. I have read that the Matte Black guns, M&P 340, 340PD and 442 hold up better than the Matte Silver on the 637 & 642.
Heres my two. Lets see if anyone can see the differences in a 11/2010, and a 11/2011 built model? If yours is like the one in the top picture, I want to know about it. I think it was a mistake by S&W.
I have put Wolff spring kits, old style S&W firing pins, and Hogue bantam grips in both. And I only shoot .357s in both. It is a real pocket rocket at 15.9 ozs. loaded!
I have put Wolff spring kits, old style S&W firing pins, and Hogue bantam grips in both. And I only shoot .357s in both. It is a real pocket rocket at 15.9 ozs. loaded!
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