Newbie Shooting M&P 340

[Xchief30]

Hi.
I am a new shooter.I purchased a SA XD9mm for home and a M&P340 for carry in my office (bad neighborhood) . I've been practicing at the range alot . I'm much better with the 9mm than I am the 340. The recoil on the 340 is a bit much for me . I am using 130gr 38 ammo. I ordered 38 wadcutters as well , but have not recived them yet. the guy at the store/range told me AI should get a full size 357 ( he happened to have a used one, overpriced for sale)and practice with that instead of the 340 . His reasoning was when I become a better shot with the 357 revolver ,I'll shoot the 340 better as well. MY reasoning is it's better to practice t=with the gun you might need to protect your life with one day. what's your professional opinions ???
Thanks

 

[bigjerm80]

You should practice with what you intend to carry. The snub nose is a up close and personal firearm.

 

[M29since14]

His reasoning was when I become a better shot with the 357 revolver ,I'll shoot the 340 better as well. MY reasoning is it's better to practice t=with the gun you might need to protect your life with one day. what's your professional opinions ???
Thanks

You're both correct. The skill-at-arms you gain with the larger gun will transfer to your abilities with the 340, but of course it is not a 100% match. If you doubt this, consider that an expert skeet shooter will outshoot a novice with about any gun he picks up, but obviously he will shoot best with his own equipment. I think it folly to assume that only practice with one particular weapon is beneficial. It may be the best way (probably is, particularly for a casual shooter), but it is not the only way. JMHO.

I might add, of course it is good for the dealer's business to sell you another gun. The converse of that is that you might get a lot of enjoyment out of it. A good-quality, full-size .357 revolver is not a bad thing to have around.

 

[P&R Fan]

You say carry IN your office. Does that mean you are not carrying it concealed on your person? The J-Frames are excellent carry revolvers, and the 340 series is, to me, among the best. But if it is not a carry gun I would recommend something larger, a K- or L frame would be great. Even if it is to be carried, these bigger guns are not difficult to conceal, given a proper holster. The very light J-Frames are incredibly difficult to master, especially with full power loads. My every day carry gun is a M340 PD and I carry it with full power .357 Magnums. It is usually a backup to a larger revolver or a Glock. I would look into something larger. You'll be able to shoot it much better.
Practice with any revolver will be beneficial, and this is why we recommend getting a .22. Ammo is cheap, no recoil and it's just plain fun. But you still need to practice with what you may need to save your life someday.

Jim

 

[Cold_DeadHands]

Try some regular 38 special loads from walmart to get used to the gun. When I shoot my MP340 I use the Winchester 125gr 38 special loads for the majority of the session and finish off with 2 - 3 cylinders loaded with my carry ammo which is 125gr Remington Golden Saber in .357 Magnum.

Additionally you can also lighten your Trigger pull a bit with the Apex Tactical Spring kit and try some different grips that give you support for your pinky. Also, make sure you use proper technique (grip & trigger control).

 

[Roadranger]

The M340 or M340 M&P are intimidating little revolvers with Magnums. I carry the latter, and shoot 38's for practice and 357 Hornady CD for carry. I got the best training tool 10 days ago when my M43 .22 arrived. Now I can shoot a J frame all day for the cost of 22's. I'm a retired LE and have been shooting revolvers for over 40 years and have mastered a K or N frame, but the little J frames are another matter. Certainly, other guns are great, but one needs to train with what one carries. Bob!

 

[getoff]

the j is one of the best for concealed carry. i carry at least one every day. like mentioned, shoot some light stuff for the bulk of your practice, and finish with the full power stuff. remember these little guns are meant for close range. if you (god forbid) have to use it, you probably wont see the sights or feel the recoil until its all said and done. i practice with my model 60, and carry a mod. 637, and a 442. all have the same grips, and same size frame. 60 is just all stainless, much heavuer and more comfortable to shoot high volume. then i pick up the 637 and it feels the same, just snappier. good luck, be safe, and above all practice.

 

[photoman]

I recommend...

Apex Tactical spring kit.

Bianchi Speed Strips.

Federal Match wadcutter ammo.

Pachmayr Compac grips.

Mika pocket holster.

 

[Xchief30]

Thanks for all your replies. I carry it in my pocket ,concealed in my building , which is where my office is . It's a great little gun, but I'm still new and need a lot of practice . Hoe would a SW 43C be for range practice , very similar to the 340 but in .22LR

Thanks

 

[wheelyfun66]

Most of us seldom get enough free time and money to practice with our firearms.

You can get some snap caps and practice dry firing.
Practice dry-firing by aiming at a point on the wall or floor (provided that you know that beyond the wall or floor is a safe direction, AND you have double checked to insure that your weapon is EMPTY) and squeezing your trigger.
Did your front sight stay on the object that you were aiming at?
Do this often, and you will build up muscles in your fingers, as well as get a feel for exactly where the trigger breaks and resets.

Practice with live ammo is, of course, preferred. Start up close and work on trigger control. Getting a high grip is imperative (i see many people gripping revolvers with such a low grip) with the airweight revolvers.

Have fun and make time to practice. Like anything in life, it takes practice and work in order to improve.

 

[BobR1]

All the above advice is good.

More trigger time with a bigger steel revolver will help.
Dry Firing will help.
Shooting the lightest 38 Special loads you can get for practice in the 340 M&P will help.
Shooting a 22 Cal. J Frame Airweight size gun will help. The new Ruger LCR-22 should be a very good practice J Frame size handgun. You get the same light weight, but with minimal recoil.

I would probably go with a combination of Dry Firing, Light 38 Practice ammo, and the LCR-22 to burn up bricks of 22 ammo for Quality Trigger Time.

Have a Very Merry Christmas

Bob

 

[Tyrod]

Learning to shoot accurately is a difficult task, especially when your life depends on it. Some folks will say, practice with whatever you intend use for defense. Some will say, use low power rounds to practice with and save the high power stuff for actual carry.

I say, each individual is different and sometimes it takes a second opinion as to what you need. It's very common when shooting high power stuff in a light weapon to develop flinches and other nasty bad habits. Sometimes the shooter doesn't even realize they're flinching. On the other hand, shooting cream puff ammo doesn't properly prepare you for the recoil and muzzle blast of the high power stuff. For self defense, it's very much a case of muscle memory that allows you to shoot effectively.

I recommend getting a shooting coach. Have them observe you shooting the high power stuff and try to discern if you have any bad habits. If so, use the low power stuff to solve the bad habits. Then return to more powerful ammo (not necessarily full power loads) for additional practice and muscle memory building.