spine60
Member
I'm looking into a CCW and have sort of narrowed it to these guns. Can someone with knowledge please advise me? Thanks, Greg
Please compare the S&W 340 PD and the Ruger LCR?
- Thread starter spine60
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You're joking, right?
The 340PD is the state-of-the-art, in it's niche. The LCR... ?
The 340PD is the state-of-the-art, in it's niche. The LCR... ?
Careby
Member
For CCW to work, you have to actually CARRY the gun. I would find it very difficult to carry a gun so ugly it makes me want to throw up every time I see it.
Erich
Member
You guys aren't being very helpful.
In its defense, the Ruger is less expensive and its lock isn't going to self-engage when the gun is fired.
Spine, what information are you looking for? They're certainly similar in function and quality. The S&W gives you magnum capability and might have better sights with that PD option. The Ruger is more whizz-bang at the moment and is a teensy bit slimmer. I've friends who like both guns - I don't think you'd do wrong with either. What I suppose you need to consider is whether one or the other has anything about it that makes is more appealing for your specific needs.
Spine, what information are you looking for? They're certainly similar in function and quality. The S&W gives you magnum capability and might have better sights with that PD option. The Ruger is more whizz-bang at the moment and is a teensy bit slimmer. I've friends who like both guns - I don't think you'd do wrong with either. What I suppose you need to consider is whether one or the other has anything about it that makes is more appealing for your specific needs.
The LCR is getting a lot of positive press, is innovative in certain respects, and is made by a company whose other revolvers are well thought of (reliable, very strong, very accurate, but heavy). I have not shot one or even handled one yet.
Personally, I don't like to be the first one in line with a gun like this one, because it's quite a departure for Ruger and I am not certain that all of the bugs were wrung out of the design before it was released. But I understand that they are flying off the shelves.
Personally, I don't like to be the first one in line with a gun like this one, because it's quite a departure for Ruger and I am not certain that all of the bugs were wrung out of the design before it was released. But I understand that they are flying off the shelves.
Pitdog02
Member
Not to be a wise guy but the obvious is that you wont be shooting any 357 from the LCR.
flop-shank
US Veteran
The LCR is too new to have any potential bugs worked out.
Well I'm sure to get flamed here but the LCR is of interest to me. I like the fact that it is supposed to have a great trigger and has less recoil. I'm not interested in firing 357 anyway, my friend has a 340PD and I have shot 357 out of it and am not looking forward to that again. Lastly, I can buy an LCR for around $700 with a crimson trace laser grip on it. Looks are to each his own, I really don't think either look that great. It's funny, I saw this thread on the Ruger forum and the answers are completely different. Still thinking it over and deciding, Greg
Pitdog02
Member
Its got a plastic handle and still weighs 2 ozs more. The best it could do is equal the S&W airweight 38 cal lines. It cost the same as a tried and true S&W and hasnt proven a thing yet. This hype has got the price probably 150 to high, at 350-400 it would be a no brainer but right now to much $ for no track record. Wait a year and buy it for the 350-400 slightly used if they measure up. They do look different and I can see someone wanting something different and new, good luck.
flop-shank
US Veteran
Spine, I don't think anyone here is going to flame you for being interested in non Smith & Wesson firearms. Most of us are as well. Relax, most of us are friendly guys.
We often disagree without being disagreeable.
I routinely carry guns made by North American Arms, Kel-tec, and Taurus, in addition to my various Smith and Wessons. My long gun line up (my serious fighting guns that I keep handy on a daily basis) consists of an Ithaca 87 Deerslayer, Remington 870 an Essential Arms J-15, and no Smiths.
As far as 340 bugs, I'm not aware of any ever excepting internal lock failures.
As far as 340 bugs, I'm not aware of any ever excepting internal lock failures.
Gov
Member
The best way I've heard it put when comparing a S&W to other brands:
You can buy a BMW or a Ford, your choice. Both will drive from point A to point B, but one is a whole lot nicer!
If you're not interested in shooting .357, why not consider the 642? You should be able to get one NIB with crimson trace grips for less than $600. (get the LG-405's... they're rubber and a bit more generous, therefore better at killing recoil...)
Take a look at some of the range reports posted here. You should be able to find them pretty easily using the "find" tool with LCR.
You can buy a BMW or a Ford, your choice. Both will drive from point A to point B, but one is a whole lot nicer!
If you're not interested in shooting .357, why not consider the 642? You should be able to get one NIB with crimson trace grips for less than $600. (get the LG-405's... they're rubber and a bit more generous, therefore better at killing recoil...)
Take a look at some of the range reports posted here. You should be able to find them pretty easily using the "find" tool with LCR.
Spine, Gov's got a good point. If you do not intend to shoot .357s, a 642 makes a lot of sense, as does a 442, and you may still be able to find some new ones without the IL, if that bothers you.
As to the 15-oz. weight, yes, you can notice the difference between one of those and 340PD in your pocket, but not really in a holster. Lots of guys who worry about aluminum frames carry steel-framed guns (much heavier) in their pockets and get along just fine. The weight difference is not really a deal breaker on the 442/642, IMHO. I have both 442 and 340 and use them interchangably.
My initial comment was not meant to discourage you. If it was indeed not very "helpful," sorry for that! The two pieces are day and night, in my mind, thus your question led me to believe it might not be entirely serious - as we sometimes see when a troll shows up just trying to start a fight.
My apologies, and good luck with your decision. Both guns are U.S.-made by companies who have a reputation of standing behind their products. Either way, you will be OK.
As to the 15-oz. weight, yes, you can notice the difference between one of those and 340PD in your pocket, but not really in a holster. Lots of guys who worry about aluminum frames carry steel-framed guns (much heavier) in their pockets and get along just fine. The weight difference is not really a deal breaker on the 442/642, IMHO. I have both 442 and 340 and use them interchangably.
My initial comment was not meant to discourage you. If it was indeed not very "helpful," sorry for that! The two pieces are day and night, in my mind, thus your question led me to believe it might not be entirely serious - as we sometimes see when a troll shows up just trying to start a fight.
So, if I'm reading you right, if money is not the main object just go for the 340PD since it's proven and is the lightest. If money is an issue deal with the extra weight of a 442 or 642 but certainly at this point stay with a proven S&W instead of being a test monkey with the new Ruger. I guess the M&P 340 should be considered as well since it is closer in weight to the PD and much less expensive?? Greg
Greg - I would not spend the extra money on the 340 unless you really want to load .357 Magnums. 442s/642s are great little guns. I considered them the standard by which other pocket guns were judged, until the 340 arrived. In truth, they probably still are.
340s are really more of an expert's gun, and I admit that I am not as comfortable with mine as I am with my 442. 340s are just plain mean, with full-charge .357 ammunition heavier than 125-grains. Of course you can always practice with .38 wadcutters. I do not enjoy practicing with .357s, so I handload a reduced .357 with 700X powder and 125-grain JHPs for the range, and shoot a very few Win. STHPs just to stay in touch with it. It's a meanie!
340s are really more of an expert's gun, and I admit that I am not as comfortable with mine as I am with my 442. 340s are just plain mean, with full-charge .357 ammunition heavier than 125-grains. Of course you can always practice with .38 wadcutters. I do not enjoy practicing with .357s, so I handload a reduced .357 with 700X powder and 125-grain JHPs for the range, and shoot a very few Win. STHPs just to stay in touch with it. It's a meanie!
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I have handled, but not yet shot the LCR. I like it, unattractive as it is. I own a 340PD, which wears Crimson Trace LG-405 lasergrips and usually carries Speer 135gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel magnum ammo. I do not mind the recoil of the "light magnums" in the 340, at least with the cushioning effect of the CT grips. I've shot some full-house 125gr. .357s in it however, and they do sting. Figure out what you can handle. +P .38s in the LCR will jump, too, and even the lighter magnum loads, like Speer Short Barrel and Remington Golden Sabre offer a significant increase in ballistics with little more recoil. The LCR will have a better trigger, though, and it has no infernal lock to deactivate or remove. It has the added advantage of being ugly as hell, so you won't cringe as much if you drop it!
Smitty500Mag
Member
3 ounces = 25% more weight than a 12 ounce 340PD. Is that noticeable? Well, S&W spent a lot of money designing a gun that weighs just 12 ounces and if it's not noticeable then they spent a lot of money for nothing.
Carry one of each in a pocket all day and compare. I think you'll come to the same conclusion that I did...yes it does make a difference and it's worth every penny of the extra cost over the heavier guns.
Smitty
Landpimp
Member
I have a 340PD and its my ALWAYS gun in my pocket. Also have a Keltec 380(much like the ruger) and I only carry it when hanging out in the house, in my short or whatever(always bigger guns close)
but there is no comparision.......340PD is a much superior gun and the one I trust me life with daily
but there is no comparision.......340PD is a much superior gun and the one I trust me life with daily
