M&P340 and 642

[awmp]

I have been thinking about getting back into snubbies and I already have holsters for the 642 (nice leather from long ago) and I'm curious will they fit a M&P340?

Anyone have an M&P 340? How do you like it?

Afraid to buy a 642 and then just wish I had purchased an M&P 340 later.

Thoughts?

 

[MarkAlt]

I almost always pocket carry. Hard to go wrong with the 442/642 if you just want a workhorse. A lot of people love their 442 Pros and I can see why.

I'm currently carrying the M&P 340. Frankly, I don't notice the small difference in weight from a 642-->340. I DO notice the excellent sight picture on the 340. It could be debated that 'aiming' isn't much of an issue for such short SD ranges.

Don't think you'll go wrong either way. The 340 does offer .357 magnum, but I consider it a .38 :)

The 340, with it's big, bright night sight is certainly a plus in the dark.


PS: Depends on holster, but most 642 holsters would accommodate the slightly larger 340 front sight.


Good luck to you and let us know what you find!

 

[1sailor]

I own an M&P340 and I love it. Very lightweight and rounded (nothing to snag). The recoil is not what you would think even with full house magnums. The pistol does not have a heavy recoil at all. Very controlable. What you do get is a slap on the palm of your hand that feels like it's being slapped with a ruler. While this is not pleasant I would bet it would be un-noticable in a life or death situation. I don't usually carry but when I do I just slip it in my jacket pocket and forget about it. Very easy carry.

 

[HarrishMasher]

Take your time and read through this thread I wrote yesterday. It is about my 432PD, but I compare it to the M&P340.

The conclusion of the thread, I own 8 J Frame snubbies, and the M&P340 is my favorite of the lot. To see the details of why, read this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/404290-shot-my-32mag-432pd-woohoo-review-range-report-plus-m-p340-comparison.html

Yes I know there are only 7 in the pic. Number 8 I am sharing with a friend, we split it. It is a 337ti. I will get a shot with it soon.

 

[awmp]

Good stuff, I had read that post, nice wood grips btw.

Take your time and read through this thread I wrote yesterday. It is about my 432PD, but I compare it to the M&P340.

The conclusion of the thread, I own 8 J Frame snubbies, and the M&P340 is my favorite of the lot. To see the details of why, read this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/404290-shot-my-32mag-432pd-woohoo-review-range-report-plus-m-p340-comparison.html

 

[HarrishMasher]

Good stuff, I had read that post, nice wood grips btw.

Cool, thanks. They are Ahrends grips. I shoot more accurately with the Ahrends on. Kim Ahrends seems to have an understanding of ergonomics that many other grips makers seem to lack.

 

[kaaskop49]

I have been thinking about getting back into snubbies and I already have holsters for the 642 (nice leather from long ago) and I'm curious will they fit a M&P340?

Anyone have an M&P 340? How do you like it?

Afraid to buy a 642 and then just wish I had purchased an M&P 340 later.

Thoughts?

I have 3 "Airlite" guns: a 360, 337, and 342. None weighs more than 12ozs, as per factory specs. ALL 3 are very finicky when it comes to ammo and are subject to the dreaded "crimp jump." C-J, as I call it, supposedly happens principally with certain .357 loads, yet I have experienced it with .38 Spl. loads in all 3 guns. The 642 is several ozs heavier and is less subject to c-j. Only one load, Federal .38 LHP has c-j'd for me in the 642, and that may be a batch that was improperly crimped.

If you intend to use the 340 as a .38Spl, you're going to have to try different loads to see which will not lock up the gun. Hopefully, it will be the first one you try, or better yet, all of them! I'm not a pessimist, rather a realist. I'm not completely satisfied with any of my "Airlites" due to this ammo situation.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[HarrishMasher]

Interesting. I currently own or have owned a 360PD, 342PD, 337ti, M&P 340, and now a 432PD.

I have never had this problem once. I have shot all of them (except the two new ones 337 & 432) extensively with many different kinds of ammo. Including 357s in the 357 guns. I must just be lucky and pick the right ammo. I have seen a few folks on here experience this problem.

 

[629shooter]

If I had to do it all over again, I would just buy a M&P 340. The sight picture alone makes them worth the extra coin. That being said, there is nothing "wrong" with a 642/442.

Yes, I do launch 357 Magnums out of my M&P340 the recoil is not as bad as I was anticipating. But, I have 20+ years of magnum experience.

 

[629shooter]

Interesting. I currently own or have owned a 360PD, 342PD, 337ti, M&P 340, and now a 432PD.

I have never had this problem once. I have shot all of them (except the two new ones 337 & 432) extensively with many different kinds of ammo. Including 357s in the 357 guns. I must just be lucky and pick the right ammo. I have seen a few folks on here experience this problem.

I have heard many instances of "crimp jump" But, I haven't had that happen yet.(I was expecting it with the magnums that I was running with my M&P340.) Then again, I don't own a J with a Titanium cylinder yet....:D

 

[camsdaddy]

I had it happen with Fed 158 LSWCHP+P in my 642.

 

[kaaskop49]

I had it happen with Fed 158 LSWCHP+P in my 642.

Thanks for the back-up. I picked up 14 boxes of this at a good price a few years ago. Next range session, I must try this load in a steel frame 649 and a Model 64 to see if c-j happens in these heavier guns. If so, I'll just make it range ammo, can't trust it at present. Good shooting and happy holidays.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[mj2008]

M&P 340

It's my favorite EDC. I have some fine choices in my carry rotation but at this time this is my favorite. Reliable, compact, extremely light, excellent sights, crimson trace grip, looks great, snag proof, I better stop...