Smith & Wesson M&P 340 ammo

[pitbull23]

Just picked up a 340 and looking for 357 magnum ammo recommendations for ccw. I am not recoil sensitive. My other jframe is packing the 38 +p , so really wanted this 340 for 357 magnum. Something that will allow for decently quick follow up shots.
I shot some 158gr federal jsp at the range and it was way to slow to recover for a second shot, wondering if dropping down to a 110gr doubletap or cor bon would help with the follow up shots. Looking for less flash and just a little less recoil. I think the flash was the hardest part to deal with when trying to get back on target.

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[oddshooter]

I have a 360 and I haven't found ammo that allows back on target quickly.
My 360 kicks like a mule. Worse than my 44mag.
It is a horrible range toy, but it can save your life in the backcountry.

It's forte is weight. Mine weighs 13 oz.
There is no weight there to attenuate the recoil.

You might try different powders if you handload to reduce muzzle flash.
Some powders don't seem to burn as complete as others and that can be seen with the flame that comes out the muzzle. Also you might try a magnum primer as they enhance ignition.

Most of the scandiums have short barrels. That doesn't help complete combustion either.

I think your desires may be writing checks your chosen handgun can't cash.

Prescut

 

[BigMoneyGrip]

I carried Remington HTP 125 gr SJHP's in mine and they chrono'd 1200fps. That is a mean round in that gun.

 

[kaaskop49]

The M&P 340 has a steel cylinder so it is not subject to the bullet weight restriction of the 340PD (no less than 120gr bullet). I use the R-P/W-W 110gr .357 JHP in my M&Ps. Recoil is less than heavier bullets with heavier powder charges but it can't be called pleasant. I do not use .38 ammo in these guns: I have .38 snubs for that.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[chief38]

Out of a 2" J the Buffalo Bore 38 spl. +P 158 grain "heavy" LSWCHP-GC will usually have a higher velocity from a 2" barrel than some 158 grain 357 magnum will. When you drop the magnum's grain weights down, the magnums do have a much higher velocity, however the lighter magnums are usually not friendly to small frame forcing cones. Again, comparing only 158 grain bullets here.

Recoil sensitive or not, using magnums in a 2" barrel slows down follow up shots and depending on ammo used can cause large muzzle flash, temporary night blindness for follow ups and create hearing issues. While I do like the 357 magnum, it really comes into its own in longer barrels and offers little over the BB "heavy" 38 spl. +P in snubbies. The BB load I'm referring to should give you 1025-1040 fps out of your 2" bbl. I have Chronographed that load many times.158 grain magnums are sometimes even less out of a 2" tube. Remember, the magnum is usually chronographed from 6" barrels and that's what it was primarily designed for. Not saying you can't use them but don't really see any advantage in snubby's. YMMV

 

[Old cop]

I have a 340PD & haven't found any magnum rounds that allow for quick & accurate follow up shots. Recoil is brutal, like a .44 magnum, and I don't consider myself recoil sensitive. Your mileage may vary.

 

[LDM]

The Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel load in .357 was snappy but manageable when used in my LCR. More pleasant when shot in my all steel Taurus 650. The Hornady Personal Defense is a close second.

 

[joebuck]

Out of a 2" J the Buffalo Bore 38 spl. +P 158 grain "heavy" LSWCHP-GC will usually have a higher velocity from a 2" barrel than some 158 grain 357 magnum will. When you drop the magnum's grain weights down, the magnums do have a much higher velocity, however the lighter magnums are usually not friendly to small frame forcing cones. Again, comparing only 158 grain bullets here.

Recoil sensitive or not, using magnums in a 2" barrel slows down follow up shots and depending on ammo used can cause large muzzle flash, temporary night blindness for follow ups and create hearing issues. While I do like the 357 magnum, it really comes into its own in longer barrels and offers little over the BB "heavy" 38 spl. +P in snubbies. The BB load I'm referring to should give you 1025-1040 fps out of your 2" bbl. I have Chronographed that load many times.158 grain magnums are sometimes even less out of a 2" tube. Remember, the magnum is usually chronographed from 6" barrels and that's what it was primarily designed for. Not saying you can't use them but don't really see any advantage in snubby's. YMMV

This info above is right on. Try the Buffalo load quoted in the text. Good stuff and his chrono info is the same numbers I got.

 

[44R]

I've carried mine every day and shot it almost every weekend for the last eight or nine years.

I have never tried to shoot 158 grain through it but I don't see why not except for the added recoil. I think almost any 125 grain 357 loading is OK. I used to carry it with 100 grain pow'r ball, but then I thought what's the point of a 380 size bullet. The gun handles regular Hornady 125 grain OK, the stuff with the little plastic tip. It's also fine with the Gold Dot 135 grain short bbl ammo. Those are both weak 357 loadings. I shot two rounds from some of my stock of 1980's Remington 125 grain duty loads but that was too hot (1550 fps from a 4" Model 28) for the M&P 340 and I felt it could damage the little J frame. I'd imagine its the same with the hot Buffalo Barnes Heavy Duty 357.

Even with the 1&7/8" bbl, 357 is going to yield at least double the energy of a 38 special. So much of the 357 ammo these days is light loaded (like Gold Dot) that I don't see the point of 38 +P.

It is a hard kicking little gun, but there's worse. The 2oz of extra weight in tthe M&P340 over the 340PD makes a big difference. Still, it is an alloy frame and not "rated" for continuous 357 use (whatever that means). The M&P340 can get some front end shake over time.