New 340 m&p no lock

[American1776]

Had my LGS order me a new 340 m&p without the lock.

I wanted a lightweight revolver for pocket carry.
It's a nice little gun. The only thing I'm disappointed in is the cylinder lock up with trigger held back. There's rotational wiggle on all five chambers.

Barrel is pretty straight, and there's no endshake.

I'm going to accept the loose lockup as long as the gun is accurate and doesn't spit. It's a last ditch self defense tool, not a piece of art.

Anyone have this model? Does it hold up long term? I'm planning on carrying 38 plus p, practice with standard 38 spl. Hopefully the gun will last a long time with minimal magnums.

I do appreciate how light it feels

 

[Ray1970]

I could be wrong, but I think that little "rotational wiggle" is actually a good thing and may even be normal. It allows the projectile to sort of "self center" as it makes the jump from the cylinder into the forcing cone of the barrel. I don't know if I've ever had a revolver that didn't have a little bit of wiggle like you described.

 

[American1776]

I could be wrong, but I think that little "rotational wiggle" is actually a good thing and may even be normal. It allows the projectile to sort of "self center" as it makes the jump from the cylinder into the forcing cone of the barrel. I don't know if I've ever had a revolver that didn't have a little bit of wiggle like you described.

yes, that's why i'm not going to obsess about it. assuming the bore / cylinder alignment isn't 100 percent (it rarely is), it'll be good that there's a little play.

 

[Model39]

Model 340 M&P "Gemini Custom"

I ordered my Model 340 about 2 years ago, and sent it to Gemini Customs to make it a special CCW for myself. I got the one with a stainless cylinder so I could get a bright two-tone finish look, and had it cut for full moon clips. I also added S&W/Crimson Trace laser grips to it.

 

[31FordA]

I've carried a 340 M&P no lock on and off the job for over two years now, very happy with it. Still looks pretty good, and shoots great. I have the old Uncle Mikes boot grips on mine, and have it loaded with Speer .38+P GDHP.

 

[kaaskop49]

I've never heard that cylinder "wiggle" when the trigger was in the full rear position was normal and acceptable in a brand-new gun. It isn't with me. Seems like the hand and cylinder ratchet should be checked and, if necessary, replaced. I have 2 M&P 340s and cylinder lockup on both is solid with the trigger fully back and the hammer in "fire" position.

I would report it to S&W and return it for correction.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[American1776]

I've never heard that cylinder "wiggle" when the trigger was in the full rear position was normal and acceptable in a brand-new gun. It isn't with me. Seems like the hand and cylinder ratchet should be checked and, if necessary, replaced. I have 2 M&P 340s and cylinder lockup on both is solid with the trigger fully back and the hammer in "fire" position.

I would report it to S&W and return it for correction.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

In the new revolvers, some cylinders are tighter than others in full lock up. This varies greatly from revolver to revolver. I once inspected 10 brand new J-frames at a local store, and many of them had loose lock up on some or all chambers. I've shot new revolvers that are wiggly in lock up that were accurate and that didn't spit. I've shot tight lock up new revolvers that slightly spit at me on one or two chambers with magnums only.

I believe that the way they assemble the revolvers today, they want the cylinders to lock up a little looser, because they don't hand fit and align the bore to each chamber like they used to. This allows the forcing cone to align a slightly off-center chamber as long as there's some rotational play.

I don't like it, but I'm coming to terms with the *new* specs.

 

[GCF]

Had mine for over a year now. Goes everywhere w/ me - in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Speer 135 / .38+P / GDHP-SB.

If the side play is excessive - & it bothers you, just do a warranty fix (shoot it a bit first), & get on w/ life.

You're gonna' love it!

 

[cleans up]

I've enjoyed my 340 since getting it. Have shot less than 50 rounds of 357 doubt it'll see many if any more of those. Many hundreds if not over the 1k mark of mixed 38spl and 9mm (I modded mine to accept 9)

It's a great gun and often carried. Of all the currently available J frames I think it's the best over all. Congrats

 

[shooter1911]

I have had my 340PD (lock removed) for over 10 years and it has held up great. The M&P version should be even stronger than mine due to the stainless cylinder in stead of my TI cylinder. The M&P was not out when I bought mine. No worries, they are great companions.

 

[Eagle1*]

OP, you mind telling what you paid for it?

 

[kaaskop49]

OP, you mind telling what you paid for it?

Eagle1*: I'm not the OP, but I paid $712 and change each for my 2 M&P 340s in 2015. IMO, partner, you need this gun. Be safe. Check 6.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[oddshooter]

I have carried the 360 scandium with 357mag for several years. It is the only gun that doesn't pull my pants down. I forget it's there.

The scandium in 357mag is the most painful recoil of anything I've felt. It's a different kick than a 44 mag, but just as nasty or even more. The lack of weight is hard to get a hold of.
I replaced the S&W rubber grip with a rubber that covers the metal of the backstrap (DUH). I shoot with a weight lifter glove at the line and Jerry Miculek's death grip; one cylinder only.

Don't worry about the recoil in the real world. I was in an emergency and I didn't know it hurt me until 5 minutes later. I looked down and my palm was black and blue.


Prescut
I luv em for when you need em.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Congrats on the new gun!

 

[les.b]

I think you will be very pleased with the M&P 340. I am a big fan of the Centennial style guns, here are four that I sometimes carry:

From top down, 340 PD, M&P 340, 640-1 Pro Series, and the 640-1.



None, you will note, with a lock. The 640-1s that I show are about twice as heavy as the 340s, and have less recoil, but are heavy for pocket carry.

I also have a couple of the early Centennials, a "pre 40", and a 42. Any of these make a great carry gun. In the .357 versions, I like to carry Speer's ,357 magnum 135 grain Gold Dot for the short barrel. I believe that it is one of the best factory loads for these little guns, but are very pricy, and hard to find.

Best Regards, Les

 

[American1776]

OP, you mind telling what you paid for it?

My LGS ordered it for me for $750 OTD