Thinking about getting the S&W 340PD but have questions please.

[Roger S&W]

That was the one rare exception where is was indeed safe to assume.

OK, how bout this?

1) White sight paint for the front integral 442 sight. Good idea? Any experience with it? Is it effective and stays put a while?

2) Best ankle holster in your opinion.

 

[Bob K.]

I have a 340PD and carry it constantly.
It is easy to carry. I use a DeSantis front pocket holster, and the gun just disappears.
As for shooting, it is not a pleasant pistol to shoot with 158 Gn FMJ full power magnum loads.
I carry with Federal factory 125 Gr. JHP .357 Mags, and have never had a bullet pull problem. I don't think anyone will unless they are shooting taper crimp handloads.
A factory load with the case crimped into the bullet ferrule is not going anywhere.

I do get some crimp jump with Hornady Critical Defense .38 +P 110gr FTX. The bullet is cannelured and roll crimped. By the 5th round, the bullet has jumped about .17", not nearly enough to lock up the cylinder or cause other problems, but crimp jump nonetheless. I sent an email to Hornady asking if I received a bad batch, but the email went unanswered.

 

[ladder13]

I am probably one of the manly'est man you willever meet. I own a 337 and when I shoot it with my 148 gr Fiocchi's-it literally brings tears to my eyes.. I can't imagine shooting .357's out od a scandium J frame. Plus, I always wondered why Smith discontinued K frame .357's but then chambered teir J frames in .357. What's up wit dat

 

[skeete]

Both my 340PD and 329PD are very uncomfortable to shoot with magnum loads. In the 340 I only carry 38sp +p and while the whole purpose of the 329 is a trail/woods gun in mountain lion/bear country I do carry full magnum Garretts in it. They actually hurt to shoot but i figure not as much as a bear.

 

[DonDee]

Can anyone clear up something for me on the Speer rounds made specifically for "short barrel" revolvers?

Are they loaded hotter in order to make up for less velocity from a short barrel, or are they loaded lighter to make recoil more manageable on a short barrel gun?

If it's the latter, does anyone feel they are giving up much using them in .38 Spl. +P for a SD round? And again, if it's the latter, in .357 would the SB round make the 340PD a little more tolerable?

 

[M29since14]

...or are they loaded lighter to make recoil more manageable on a short barrel gun?

Probably that.

To answer your other question, what makes the 340PD "more tolerable" is less bullet weight. They really are not all that terrible with 125s. As you head up towards 158s, the full-charge .357 Magnum rounds can make the 340 get pretty wild. The few cylinders-full of Federal 158-gr Hyrdashoks I have fired through my 340 convinced me of that.

 

[HLShooter]

340PD

I have had a 340PD for 8 or so years with Crimson Trace LG-405 grips. I use Federal JHP 357 for carry. I'm not a big man 5'9", 210 lbs, Wear a size large glove.
When at the range I shoot about 50 rounds of 38sp+p and end with 10 to 15 rounds of 357. I'm old +65 and not the best shot to come down the street. I can fire 5 rounds of 357 in 3.5seconds with a draw from my pocket and have a 5-6" group at 25 yards.
Does it hurt, yes a little, but you will not feel the recoil or see the flash if you find you must use it to defend yourself BELIEVE ME. I do hope it never happens to you but if it does and you have someone high on dope you will need all the stopping power you can handle. Good luck and be well.

 

[luangtom]

Thanks for your reply. "The heat of battle" does blur recoil and pain. Use the best for you and be safe.

 

[TAKJR]

I am glad you purchased a revolver for your needs but just think about this a moment. When the Dirty Harry movie came out, many novice shooters bought Model 29s at whatever prices, loaded them up with full-power .44s, shot a few rounds, and then sold the guns.

The same goes for the 340 and the "novice" shooter. I recently obtained one from a person who did the like-thing. I got it for a lot less, and he (then) got a steel, J-framed gun.

So, after all the advise and your new purchase, I would still look for one to fill in your armory, but remember it is a "mission-specific" gun when using magnums. It's no party firing it. It was designed for serious, close-up use. It's not a "shoot-a-lot" gun with magnums. Fire enough to make sure there is no bullet crimp and leave it be.

TAKJR

 

[M29since14]

...It's no party firing it. It was designed for serious, close-up use. It's not a "shoot-a-lot" gun with magnums. Fire enough to make sure there is no bullet crimp and leave it be.
TAKJR

Rare to see anyone say such a thing! And true - as far as I am concerned.

It doesn't hurt to drag the 340PD out and shoot a few rounds a couple times a year, but beyond that... why would you?

 

[beewiz]

I just picked up a 340PD and fired it for the first time last weekend. The 38's are no problem in it, I could fire a hundred of them without trouble. I put a laser grip on it, and after a bit of fine tuning it is extremely accurate. I have a very big hand but it works fine for me. I love the simplicity of it. I also have Sig Sauer 290 which is about the same size but it jammed on the first round. If I had to protect my life, I'd never reach for a semi-auto. I'd reach for the S&W 340pd, no brainer. I had to try shooting it with a .357 mag bullet. I shot once and that was it, I was done. Didn't break any bones but it hurt like hell. Holy ****! I'll be loading it with 38s for self protection. Plenty good enough.

 

[Eliakim]

My 340SC has been my normal daily carry for over two years. It can't be beat for ease and comfort. It has plenty of power with magnums but it is not bad with the Speer 135 grain short barrel .357 magnums. their not loaded all that much hotter than the Speer 135 gr +P 38 Special loads.

The 340SC doen't have a red plastic insert or dot on the front sight so I painted my front sight with blaze orange surveyor marking paint for better visability

 

[85ChadS]

My 340PD summary: federal 158g hydra shook 357 mags.

 

[acpjim]

I disagree that only reloads back out and jamb the 340pd. I had it happen several times with factory loads when I owned a 340pd. If I recall it was with Corbon (110 gr. ?). I traded for a 340 m&p p and hasn't happened since.

 

[acpjim]

Sorry, just realized this is an OLD thread!

 

[luangtom]

Yup, it is an old thread, but still pertinent. I, too, carry a 340PD almost daily. I stuff it with the Speer 135-gr for short-barrels. I have never had one of these back-out. I did, however, have Remington Golden Saber rounds back-out more than once. I shoot those in my M65 with no problems. So, I do stick to the Speer stuffings for my 340PD and my M&P340. Shoot safe.