Qualifying with a 340PD

[Cal44]

Here in California, we have to qualify with each gun we want to carry when we renew our CCW licenses.

I just did my 2 year renewal yesterday. Figured I'd better do it before they closed down all the training classes.

One new gun I wanted to put on my license was a 340PD.

Had to shoot 30 rounds to qualify. I as using 130 gr FMJ practice rounds.

It was painful to shoot, but I did manage to pass the qualification.

But after I finished, the instructor/RO told me I was bleeding.

My trigger finger was all covered with blood. Must have smacked it on the trigger guard with each round. I didn't even notice the blood until the RO pointed it out.

So my question is:

I plan to pocket carry this gun. I'm wondering what grips people who pocket carry these 11 oz micro-cannons use.

I figure something a little larger than the Bantam that came with the gun. Perhaps with room for three fingers.

But it can't be too big as the 5.11 dress pants I wear have pockets just about right for a J frame with a small grip.

Any ideas?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

My solution is to take my 340PD to every trip the range and fire at least two cylinders of 357 mag. to get used to it. Pocket carry is just too convenient. In the alternative, you can carry 38?

 

[kaaskop49]

There is a slightly larger UM grip, basically a boot grip with an add'l finger groove. I find in both the PD and M&P 340 styles, nothing helps to soften recoil, so I stick with the boot grip. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[colt_saa]

You want a grip that fits you. That does not necessarily mean rubber

My 340PD wears the Pachmayr Compac grips while my M&P340 wears a set of Crimson Trace model 405 laser grips

At the moment I am carrying the M&P 340 because I an having some vision issues in my right eye and the laser has given me my speed back while the eye heals

My favorite J-frame grip, even for the big kickers like 357 Magnum and 356 TSW are the old combat grips that ACE used to make in the days that Smith & Wesson owned them

These fit my hand the best and spread the recoil out over a much larger area than the rubber Bantams you are currently using

I am not sure which 5.1 pant you are wearing, but these slip nicely into the front pocket of the 5.11 Kovert Khakis

 

[lkabug]

I use Hogue Tamer grips. Makes for a slightly larger profile, but greatly helps with recoil.

 

[just plain joe]

I have a 340PD and experienced similar problems. I wanted a set of grips that permitted the use of a Safariland speed-loader. The two-piece grips that came with the 340PD precluded speed-loader use. I settled on the Hogue Bantam (one-piece) grip.

I also have a set of Butler Creek two-piece rubber grips. These permit a full grip but sacrifice conceal-ability a bit. You may wish to consider them.

As an aside, I find the use of .38 Special +P ammo more controllable than any .357 Magnum ammo no matter what grip I try. I've settled on the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain .38 Special +P.

HTH.

JPJ

 

[KalamazooKid]

I’ve carried a 340 PD for 13-14 years now, most of them with these CT laser grips that have great padding on the backstrap. And always in a Mika Pocket Holster.

I did my original CPL qualification with this setup. 100 plus rounds of 357 Mag which left the webbing between thumb and index bloodied. Dang that hurt! These days it rides with 38’s. [emoji3]

 

[michpatriot]

Hogue Bantam's everyday for years and years in my front jeans pocket...

 

[Cal44]

I had an Crimson Trace LG-350G on another gun.

I moved it over to the 340PD today. It fits just fine in my pocket.

That grip is comfortable and fits well with my small-medium sized hands.

Now I'll have to try it at the range. That assumes any of the ranges around here open back up to the public.

(Yesterday's qualification was on private property of a guy my instructor knows.)

 

[usmc2427765]

I thank the Good Lord everyday that I do not live in Kalifornia and greatest sympathy to those do.

 

[v84x4]

I Pocket carry a 340PD and 442
I love the S&W extended grip (It comes on the model 640)
I've ordered many aftermarket grips and never found one better than this.

I always switch out all of my J Frames to this gip and I don't think
many people know that they can use this grip
It's just about an inch longer and perfect for my pinky finger
for added stability

Best regards, Rick

 

[Guevera]

I like this arrangement as an old-school minimalist approach (Pocket Concealment Systems made the holster).

Of course, I am not out plinking at cans down by the creek all afternoon with this thing either.

 

[Donn]

I'm with you in one respect, Cal. The stock grip checkering on my Model 29 would draw blood on the heel of my hand every range trip.

 

[krutsch]

...

It was painful to shoot, but I did manage to pass the qualification.

But after I finished, the instructor/RO told me I was bleeding.

My trigger finger was all covered with blood. Must have smacked it on the trigger guard with each round. I didn't even notice the blood until the RO pointed it out.

So my question is:

I plan to pocket carry this gun. I'm wondering what grips people who pocket carry these 11 oz micro-cannons use.
...

I just purchased an M360PD (like the 340PD, but with an exposed hammer).

I put 100 rounds through it this afternoon and you can see what it did to my hand (a little bruising that is hard to see in the photo).

Three things: 1) I use shooting gloves to protect my trigger finger (I was having the same issue with the trigger guard smacking my finger). I know ... it's cheating, but I am new to J-Frames and I am working on my sight picture and follow-ups with full-load .357.

2) I changed my grip to control recoil, using a tip suggested by the speed shooting king: Miculek. He suggests wrapping your support hand's thumb back over the main/grip hand - like you are squeezing your grip hand with the support hand from the back. Really helps me control the recoil.

3) Added Crimson Trace LG-405 grips. These I just added, so I need range time to be sure... but the CT grips are longer and thinner, if you know what I mean, and the backstrap has a firm rubber cushion, which Miculek also recommends to save the webbing on your shooting hand. I love the feel; we will see how it works at the range. And, my HKS 36 speed loaders fit perfectly!

 

[scruffy]

Try a set of Pachmayr 03252. Possibly too large for pocket carry, but absolutely helps with recoil and control (accuracy) for follow up shots.

 

[OttoLoader]

I unexpectantly learned the hard way shooting .357 mag in my 60-14 with hogue wood grips. Nice rosewood.

I only did it one time.

I shot the first round but my trigger finger was letting up at the shot and recoil slammed the finger into the trigger guard. Really unpleasant.

Next shot. I choked up on the trigger finger placement and positioned the gun inline with my wrist and elbow. This prevented recoil from forcing my hand off axis and kept the trigger finger on the trigger.

Choking up and follow through , the finger did not flip into the trigger guard.

I changed my technique,
not my grip.

A few years later I wanted a CT laser so got the boot grip that also had the backstrap covered. Works great.

 

[joebuck]

I'm surprised it drew blood with wimpy .38 FMJ loads. I would grip the gun firmer maybe? I've shot everything possible in these and yes .357's can draw blood but I just don't see that happening with standard pressure .38's with a proper grip. Some good suggestions here on aftermarket grip choices however which could solve your issue. Shoot some .357 125 gr Buffalo Bore "heavy" loads in it to find out why it really is a pocket cannon.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

I've shot my every-3-month qualification schedule in a 340PD with 158 gr +P. Frequent practice with the same load.
The web of my hand would be bleeding after the 50 rds. After doing that for about 20+ years, the web of my hand may never recover. Even 130 gr std pressure hurts now, so I switched to a Glock 42 which feels like shooing a .22

 

[Old cop]

Find a wood grip that covers the backstrap and modify the bottom by sanding it down for a better pocket fit. I found an old set of Herritts & a TGrip on mine.

 

[studenygreg]

I've been carrying a 340pd for at least 5 years. I have xs big dot sights and vz grips.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk