New 340PD

[357WA]

Hi guys, new member who just picked up a new addition to the family today. Wanted to just give a few shots and impressions to anyone who cares, try to answer some questions I had while I was researching and shopping for a new edc pistol.

I have been carrying a g26 for a couple years and recently bought my wife a g43 which I found myself stealing pretty often because it carried a little better, which meant I carried it more often. Well she wanted her pistol back so I knew I needed a lightweight super easy to carry pistol. I didn't want to carry a smaller caliber, long story short I narrowed it down to the m&p 340 or the 340pd. I have a 327pc and 329pd so the 340pd (no lock) was a natural fit and I wouldn't be sacrificing caliber carrying a .357! Just got home from picking it up, paid $812 shipped, plus another $95 for tax and transfer. Feel like it was an alright deal. Right away I noticed some metal shavings/dust on the pistol in the recess for the ejector rod. Blast shield on the frame is not centered. Trigger was super super heavy. I blew it out, cleaned and stripped the pistol (frog lube is awesome) reassembled it, insert snap cap and dry fire. Trigger feels substantially lighter and smoother. I don't feel the need to do anything else to it. Measured the cylinder gap at .004 which I was very happy with.. I have a holster on order from side guard holsters, I picked up a cheapie Blackhawk from cabelas until it shows up. I plan on getting Crimson trace lg-405 grips but not 100% sure on that yet..

The pistol is extremely easy to carry.. I've never felt anything so beautiful in my pants- haha- I seriously forgot it was there after a few minutes of walking around. I always carry appendix and there was not awkward grip bulge or anything of the sort with a semi tight fitting cotton t-shirt. The g26 and g43 concealed ok, but I was always conscious they were there, and at the right angles the grips could print. I don't wear my clothes baggy, I'd say more fitted is the term so printing is always a concern. I'm going shooting tomorrow so I'll update with a shooting report.. I expect the recoil to be severe.. It'll be interesting to compare it with the 329pd..

Here are some pics of the family

 

[357WA]

View attachment 245760

 

[357WA]

Sorry trying to figure out the picture posting..

 

[slabside2]

Congratulations on your 340pd it is great carry gun. I had one years ago and sold it. I never had any issues with it. Years later I bought a brand new one and the blast shield shifted from side to side it felt like it was go to fall off. I returned it. Rather spending $900.00 and taking a chance on another one I decided to do this. Putting a titanium cylinder in a 442. No lock 14.9 ounces loaded. Shoots great. Good luck with yours.

 

[Old cop]

I picked up a 340pd second hand a couple of months ago but have only put .38 +P through it, no .357 for me. I really like the gun but find that my LCP is carried more often. As to the warning printed on the barrel I called S&W. The bullet weight restriction applies to .357 only. All manner of .38 +P ran fine.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on your new firearm.

My 340PD is old now (got it in 2001) and has had many thousands of full magnum rounds through it. It has held up very well.

Years ago I would have called you crazy if you tried to tell me we would have 357 Magnum J-frames. I would have had you committed if you tried to tell me they would weigh in at 12 ounces.

You might not be aware, but Hogue Grips announced Laser Enhanced grips for the Smith and Wesson J-frame last week

These grips feel very good and one of the things I like is that the laser can be put into blinking mode. If you have ever tried to acquire a red laser in daylight it can be tough. The human eye picks up on flashing lights much faster.

The two I have are purple and pink, but these are part of my teaching and demo inventory so I wanted variety. They are naturally available in black as well. PLUS the MSRP is $199

Give the Hogues some thought

 

[357WA]

Thanks guys, I will be taking it out today for the first time. I loved the look of wood grips on my 329 but after a couple shots needed to get a nice rubber grip, now I can put several boxes of ammo through it no problem. I'm sure this little beast will be the same, I want to keep the grip as small as possible so the lg-405 might be the answer. The question I keep thinking about is, this would be my only gun with a laser, would I form bad habits with my other pistols? Will I start to ignore traditional shooting techniques and be sub consciously always looking for the "dot"? I try to keep things as simple as possible, one reason none of my pistols semi or revolver have safety's.. I want consistincey as much as possible..

One other thing off topic.. Does anyone know how the blast shield is held in? Is it just a press fit or is there a secret pin that locks it? Functionaly I think it's ok where it is, but being off center 1/16 is driving me crazy.. Yes I need to talk to my therapist about that

 

[orangehole]

Just be prepared to shake hands with Satan when you fire .357mag in that lil guy

 

[357WA]

Well I'm back from shooting.. I managed exactly 9 rounds today. I came to the immediate conclusion that I need the Crimson trace grips.. 95% for the cushioning effect! I fired Remington 158gr sjhp and Federal 140gr Barnes copper. The federal was slightly better to shoot. But that is the lightest 357 mag ammo I have. Accuracy was surprising awesome! I hit clay pigeons 7 out of 9 shots at 10 yards and the 2 misses were pretty damn close. I had the same issue with my 329 when I first shot it.. Managed about a cylinder before I had to get different grips. And now it's perfectly shootable. The recoil from the 340pd isn't particularly horrible.. It's the was its transferred to your hand that makes it painful.. I'd say it kicks the same as my 329. Just half of the surface area putting the force into your body. I think I'll be ordering grips when I get home!

 

[ridgewalker]

I don't find the CT LG-405 provides much cushioning for recoil reduction. So don't expect a big difference.
I also have some CT grips on a N frame and they do make a big difference with recoil reduction. Can't remember the model #, they are a round to square conversion.

 

[357WA]

They do cover the upper blackstrap correct? If they help a little that's still better than nothing.. I'm trying to find a grip that's still lightweight.. Stops at the but of the piston (no additional length) not overly grippy so it won't snag on clothing and covers the blackstrap.. Not an easy task!

 

[ridgewalker]

Yes they cover the backstrap.
I haven't tried it myself but I have seen it mentioned on here that there is a Taurus grip that fits the j frame and covers the backstrap.
Personally I like the old Uncle Mikes boot grip or Esmeralda boot grips but I have decided long ago that I don't really like to shoot 357 magnums in a J frame. I'm okay with 38 +P.

 

[357WA]

Thanks, I'll look for an older uncle mikes boot grip.. I love the looks of Esmeralda's grips but her website shows no listings for the j frame and I think she only makes wood grips.. I'm not expecting this to be comfortable to shoot.. I'd just like to fire off 20 rounds without doing any permant damage to my hand.. I think I must have bruised a bone in my palm today haha. Hard to move my thumb.

 

[Paul105]

If you are at all handy, you might want to try the Hogue Tamer's as modified by one of our forum members.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...modded-concealment.html?highlight=hogue+tamer

Here's a picture of 3 J Frames -- 340 w/Hogue Tamers, 360 w/Crimson Trace LG-305's", M60 w/Pachy gripper decelerators.

The Tamers make a big difference "taming" recoil for me.

FWIW, I've shot the 329 and a Freedom Arms .475 Linebaugh a lot, and for me anyway, the Ti/Sc J Frames, with 357 Mag ammo, are the most obnoxious guns I've ever shot.

Paul

 

[kaaskop49]

The titanium cylinder of your PD precludes the use of the 110 JHP .357 loads I favor in snub mags. However, the CCI Blazer 158gr JHP "medium" load in .357 can be safely fired in the PD and is controllable. Relatively.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[ridgewalker]

Thanks, I'll look for an older uncle mikes boot grip.. I love the looks of Esmeralda's grips but her website shows no listings for the j frame and I think she only makes wood grips.. I'm not expecting this to be comfortable to shoot.. I'd just like to fire off 20 rounds without doing any permant damage to my hand.. I think I must have bruised a bone in my palm today haha. Hard to move my thumb.

Just to be perfectly clear, the old Uncle Mikes boot grips and the Esmeralda boot grips don't cover the backstrap. But somehow I have gotten used to them just fine. Gradually increasing the number of rounds you shoot during practice will help so you don't get those hand bruises. YMMV

 

[357WA]

I'm hoping to get 15 rounds next time! I'm looking at taking the ammo down a notch too, instead of full power 158 or 140s I'm looking at the Barnes 125 solid copper load.. 1200fps from a 2in barrel should be a little tamer. 1 day later my hand is feeling better and I've regained movement in my thumb. Honestly the kick isn't horrible.. The bare metal blackstrap just amplifies it.. A little cushion there and I think I could fire a box of ammo no problem!

 

[ridgewalker]

I've finally accumulated enough 357 brass that I load fairly light loads for range practice for all my guns chambered for 357. I think it makes it a bit easier to clean the cylinders than shooting 38 special cartridges. I mostly load heavier bullets because I think it's more accurate for me. But you're right, the lighter bullets should be a little more comfortable to shoot. But heed the warning about shooting too light bullets.

 

[Signal_20]

I have Altamont wood finger groove grips on my 360PD and shoot Blazer 158gr 357 every time I go out and the recoil is very manageable. I carry a Kahr PM40 also but the 360PD is so light I don't even know I have it and I tend to leave the Kahr at home now in favor of the 360PD.

Jim - Signal_20