New 442 Pro/Moon Clip...or M&P 340

[edkato]

I have been spending some time shooting my relatively new (3 months) 442 Moon Clip...which I purchased to replace a 642 given to a lady friend a few years back and a 36 sold years before. I have gone through many years of compact 9s to include the Shield, a G43, and a Kahr CM9 which I liked, but keep coming back to a J frame. I do have a LCR, but it doesn't pocket carry like the Smith. I like the 442 pro for the stainless cylinder and barrel...I don't really use the moon clips with exception of range practice time. Also added the Hogue Bantam grips and the weight unloaded is now 14.2 oz (checked on two difference scales). +P ammo isn't bad at all. IS it worth trading this for the M&P 340 to get the weight down as I pocket carry all the time? (I know, old topic and question) As for 357, I think my 158 grain LSWCHP +p is sufficient for social use, so I'd more than likely stick with those or a 135 GD +p. Regardless, happy to be back to a J frame...though I keep looking at the Kahrs when at the range.

And yes, shooting left!

 

[regalsc]

Looking for weight reduction I would get a 342 ti or pd. 10.8 oz unloaded. I have the version with the exposed hammer 337ti. Hardly know that it's there. The 342's cost a little more because they're discontinued but there are always some on GB.

 

[ridgewalker]

What's right for you might be different for me. But for me I have found 2 significant differences. The few ounce difference makes the M&P 340 more comfortable to pocket carry. On the other hand, the few ounce difference makes the 442 / 642 more comfortable to shoot. So you need to prioritize whichever is more important to you.
Then there is the price difference.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[Macinaw]

Lighter is better. If it is heavy you won't want to carry it. I carry a M&P 340 on the right side. And a 340 PD on the left side. One is none. Two is one. Or so, some wise man told me.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

When my M&P 340 was my ccw I would occasionally plunk my wife's 360PD in my vest pocket when I was planning to go into the woods. Now that my 640 Pro is my ccw I might put my M&P 340 in my vest pocket if I feel a need.

We never carry unloaded guns so I don't put much stock in the unloaded weights. Loaded with Speer GDSB .38 +P's, my 340 weighs a pound and Barbara's 360 is 14 oz. In my vest pocket I can't tell the difference between the two. (The 640, on the other hand, is 1½ lbs so carrying it in my vest pocket is not really an option for me.)

I've listened to avid bicycle riders justify spending hundreds of dollars on accessories that, in the end, dropped the total weight of their bikes by 100 or 200 grams (3½ - 7 oz). I guess if you're climbing one of Colorado's 14k peaks or trying to win Le Tour de France it might make a difference, but for a handgun tossed in a pocket... only you can decide.

(I paid considerably less for my 340 than for either of the others I mentioned so its value-to-weight ratio was the best of the bunch.)

Bob

ps: Now that I've grown fond of the 640's moon clips I wouldn't give them up for any other J-frame. Plus, I'm guessing your 442 Pro's action is probably a tad better than most run-of-the-mill J-frames.

 

[kaaskop49]

Buy both (we're talking about 2 guns here, yes?), find out which one fits your needs best, carry that one, and keep the other. Guess I'm showing my age here: I remember when the antis tried mightily to legislate against 2" bbl revolvers and we were able (with difficulty) to push them back.

Never hurts to have another snub around. Or two. Or...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103