M&P340 - Best Defensive J Frame Ever Made

[Edmo]

I handled a NIB 340 M&P the other day...

Sweet J frame. I had thoughts of my 642 & 640 Pro gathering dust while the 340 rides happily in my pocket. As the OP said, it has a really nice sight picture with the Big Dot up front.

I say "handled", but I guess I really meant to say "fondled". OBTW, it was just like this lemming likes 'em - lockless.

Edmo

 

[psjoe]

In addition to the sights that the OP is in love with, the tougher "DLC" finish on the 340 M&P is heads and shoulders tougher than the black coating on the 442.

You are forgetting about the 442 Pro Series "moonclip". It has the same PVD DLC coating on it's SS barrel and SS cylinder, plus it's cut for moon clips, and no IL. The kicker is that it's MSRP is $370 less than the MP340. With magnas on it I weigh it at 13.7 oz.. It is accurate and not uncomfortable to shoot with 158gr LSWCHP +P.

 

[at_liberty]

I am thinking my 60 Pro is a contender. It performs admirably with Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 357s and is a lightweight ( 1 LB 6 OZ) alloy gun. It is particularly distinguished by a 3" barrel. It is a belt carry gun, not a pocket gun.

 

[at_liberty]

My personal favorite is my 36-1 Chief's Special, a nickel plated 3" pinned beauty in 38.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

The 351c has the XS White Dot and deep u-shaped sight channel. I believe the 43c does also.

 

[Georgia1911]

Still don't understand what all the bad press on the Internal Lock is about. Sounds to me like lemmings going over the cliff. Has anyone ever really had a problem with it. I have six IL guns and shot thousands of rounds with them without an issue...

The IL serves no purpose necessary to the intended function of the firearm, thus its presence violates the philosophy of elegance. That is: keep any design as simple as possible to fulfill its intended role. If the best you can say about a feature is that it doesn't fail often, then perhaps you are better off without it.

 

[HarrishMasher]

You are forgetting about the 442 Pro Series "moonclip". It has the same PVD DLC coating on it's SS barrel and SS cylinder, plus it's cut for moon clips, and no IL. The kicker is that it's MSRP is $370 less than the MP340. With magnas on it I weigh it at 13.7 oz.. It is accurate and not uncomfortable to shoot with 158gr LSWCHP +P.

Yes but the sights are the absolute worst and there is nothing you can to do fix it. The front sight is not pinned and is part of the frame. And it is black which blends right in on any dark target, providing zero contrast. Next time you are at the range, shoot at a black target, you can't even find the front sight.

 

[HarrishMasher]

The 351c has the XS White Dot and deep u-shaped sight channel. I believe the 43c does also.

Yes it does, but 22 is just not a serious defensive caliber.

 

[16thVACav]

Here is my 342PD. Shallow Square Notch rear sight. Can you please post a pick of your 342PD with a deep U notch rear? Thanks!

Just rechecked my 342PD no lock and compared it to a 642. The rear sights are identical, so I stand corrected.

I think what threw me off initially is the fact I have an XS standard dot on the front, and my sight picture with the standard J frame rear notch was actually pretty decent when I compared it to your picture of the XS big dot and the deep rear sight.

 

[psjoe]

Yes but the sights are the absolute worst and there is nothing you can to do fix it. The front sight is not pinned and is part of the frame. And it is black which blends right in on any dark target, providing zero contrast. Next time you are at the range, shoot at a black target, you can't even find the front sight.

Hi, I was addressing the features and finish of the pro series, but you could get xs sights installed on a 442, they even have a glue on version. A quick search here will show some folks who have done it, not sure of the $ and practicality. Or you could get laser grips, or add some paint. I mostly point shoot with mine in DA, it's a great pointer. I have used the sights while staging the trigger and I agree they are indeed poor but when taking your time they work. However, to me this is a pocket gun, belly gun, get off me gun... really meant for up close point shooting. Plus you can pick them up, 442 Pro Series, for around $400 NIB with the features I listed above.

 

[ibewbull]

I wouldn't want to choose my 36,640,or 642-2
The 642 is a bit different. Pic here.
Realistically I doubt the sights would be used by me in a SD shoot.
It would most likely be close up and last resort with no time maybe while still in a pocket. I can not even guess.
If I had no other J I would look at the M&P 340 hard though.
I notice there are no comments here by any LEO. Just saying.

My J is a backup or NY reload.
The sights on my 29-2 or 66-2 would be used for accuracy if need be.
The one time I did use the 640 with sights other than on the range was for a wounded deer which was moving in circles on her side. The head was bobbing all over and it took a 2nd shot after the miss.
Range was about 3-4 yards.Head shot.
I hope that will be all of my shoots.

 

[JFrames4ever]

oh Well

I own a 340 PD with the fiber optic front. During qualifying with it I shot the front sight off. Actually the FO was standing straight up. I still finished qualifying. I like my 340 PD, but I also have a 642 with Magnaporting. Later I got a 442 moon clip that I liked so well, I bought another. Painting the sights on the 442s works well enough. My favorite shooter is my 940. Best sight picture is my 3 inch 60 Pro series. For me the best compromise for carry is a 442 moon clip, all things considered

 

[Cal44]

I think the three inch M60's are the best defensive guns around.

Heavy enough to make shooting full power 357 doable. Three inch barrel makes 357 faster with greater muzzle energy (also true when you shoot 38 special). It has target sights. And is still small enough to conceal -- even pocket carry if you have deep enough pockets.

Holster is from Mika designed for pocket carry.

You could argue that the 686 is the best defensive revolver of any size, and the M60 3" similar except scaled down just enough to make it easy to carry.

 

[at_liberty]

I think the three inch M60's are the best defensive guns around.

Heavy enough to make shooting full power 357 doable. Three inch barrel makes 357 faster with greater muzzle energy (also true when you shoot 38 special). It has target sights. And is still small enough to conceal -- even pocket carry if you have deep enough pockets.

Holster is from Mika designed for pocket carry.

You could argue that the 686 is the best defensive revolver of any size, and the M60 3" similar except scaled down just enough to make it easy to carry.

Would like to find a 60-10 to check it out. I certainly like my 36-1 (38) and 60 Pro (357). I have two shorter 38s, but 3" is the shortest 357 I care to shoot, custom ammo or otherwise.

 

[Rick_A]

While what you say is true, I have more suitable guns to shoot magnums through regularly, hate the looks of two piece barrel shroud, and don't think it's worth nearly double the price.

As I shoot and carry 38spl/+p in the alloy frames, love the feel of this grip...and don't mind the fancy sighting device.

20140721_092358 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

I can shoot it as good or better than anything I own.

Not saying it's the best...just the best for me.

 

[rmcnelly]

I had the opportunity to handle the M&P340 today at a gun show. The sight picture is awesome! Gun was noticeably lighter than my 638, and I'd love to have one for daily carry. Just can't justify the price.

So I picked up some Crimson Trace LG-405 grips for the 638 ;-)


--Rick

 

[rmcnelly]

But there is a 340PD for sale locally with Crimson Trace grips for $850. Ugh.


--Rick

 

[DAdams]

I purchased one right after they came out and as a result of finding a 642 excessively heavy to me for pocket carry.
Weight, sights/night, finish, .357 capable sold me. Early ones were only available with locks. I have hundreds of rounds through mine, .38 spl, plus P and about fifty various .357...no deleterious issues. After 7 years I find the tritium in the vial not as bright. Not a big deal though as I tried a number of grips and prefer the Crimson Trace.






Hogue Monogrip .357 fun early on.


I have tried many vendors rounds but have stayed with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain plus P for short barrels.

 

[DAdams]

The early literature describes the XS as the Standard Dot, which I believe to be the case.

 

[dhtwalden]

342ti
Carry in ankle holster and forget it's there. I've put 100's of rounds through for annual qualifications. It is not a gun you shoot for fun. For me, it's all about being light enough to encourage frequent carry.