New guy with a new J frame

[magpul_556]

Hey everyone, I bought my first S&W this week and have some questions about my new 340pd. I bought a brand new 340pd to replace my lcp. The .380 ran fine but just didn't have the proven track record that the j frame offers. I love the gun and have put 310 rounds down the pipe this week. I really enjoy shooting it and have enjoyed the experience I've had with it this week. I've put an apex duty/ carry spring kit in it, added the CT LG405 laser grips and upraded the sight to an XS big dot. After firing the first 110 rounds on the day I got it I began to wonder how many rounds I should expect to be able to fire through it before I begin to wear it out. I intend on firing 500 before I trust it as my everyday pocket carry gun, or back up. I've fired mostly 38's and a box of .357 corbon dpx. It's a joy to shoot and I'm not buying into the fear of .357. Recoil is clearly there, but it's not as bad as people like to say it is. I intend on shooting .38's and most likely carrying it with the doubletap .38 +p. How many rounds of 38 should I expect to shoot before things start to wear out or at least be due for some part replacement? Thanks AC

 

[sophie]

Hello and welcome from Texas.

_________
James

 

[Jeb21]

Welcome to the forum. Good question, unfortunately I don't have an exact answer for you. As a general rule the more powerful rounds will wear out any revolver faster than less powerful rounds. How many is too many is an unresolved question in my mind. Most folks will tell you that an airweight type handgun is meant to be shot a little and carried a lot, but I am sure that many of the members here have put thousands of rounds through their respective scandium revolvers with little to no ill affect, other than normal wear and tear on the finish.

I would say that doing the majority of your practice with standard pressure rounds is the way to go. It reduces wear and tear on you, your revolver and your wallet. But should things go wrong just send the gun back to Smith and they will make it right.

 

[Pisgah]

You have already begun to wear it out. But beginning the job is one thing; finishing it is something else altogether.

Unless you are truly a high-volume shooter, you will not be able to detect any real wear during your lifetime. Make provision for passing it along in your will.

 

[Old cop]

I'm not sure how much this will help, but my 1968 Colt Cobra (purchased new as my first off-duty gun) still shoots great. It was used yearly to qualify over my 30 yr. LE career and still goes to the range from time to time. Since aquiring my M&P 340 the Colt stays in the safe.

All that said the gun will probably outlast you.

 

[ladder13]

If by any chance you do wear it out, send it back to S&W and you'll get a new one.

 

[photoman]

Sounds like you've got a good start at 310 rounds the first week! Don't worry about wearing it out. Highly likely you wont. If you do, send it back and they'll fix it.

 

[mini14jac]

Do a search for posts by "Dr. Snubnose".
(If I'm recalling the name correctly.)
Seems he had two Scandium revolvers that he had put over 20,000 rounds through. (each)
I believe he said those were all magnum rounds.

Any machine can break, but I seriously doubt you'll wear out your gun, even if you only shoot .357s in it.
The alloy guns have proven incredibly rugged and reliable even before they started adding Scandium.
The AirLite guns are looking just as tough, if not tougher.

Shoot it and enjoy!

 

[M3Stuart]

I don't have one of those. But I'm not aware, and have never heard of, anybody having ever worn out a S&W from shooting it. Ever.

If, by chance you do have an issue with it, just ship it back to S&W - they'll fix it!

 

[magpul_556]

Thanks for all the great info. A lot of my questions have been answered.I never doubted the j frame, but at the same time I just hadn't found many examples of high round count scandium j frame until mini14jac pointed me to Dr. snub nose. Thats impressive. Thanks AC