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

[hoppes-no9]

A factory load with the case crimped into the bullet ferrule is not going anywhere.

NOT true. Out of the four or five top-tier factory loads I've tested, two were prone to jumping crimp.

Bottom line to all 340 users, test the load you're going to carry -- at least a couple cylinders full, measuring OAL of the fifth round after firing the first four. If the fifth round remains the same length, it's not pulling.

 

[Dale53]

I feel rather strongly that a .357 Magnum in an S&W Airlight revolver is an abomination. Clint Smith talked about one of his students showing up with a new AirLight .357 and the first revolver full actually broke bones in his hand - he had to be taken to the hospital. I do NOT discount that story. These are BEASTS.

My daily carry is a 642. .38 Plus P's are plenty enough for me (I have a pair of Crimson Trace #305 grips on mine). That is my tolerance level.

I am not a stranger to handgun recoil. I have shot my .375 JDJ Contender a LOT and shot it well, but that AirLight .357 you can have! I would MUCH rather shoot a 45/70 in a Contender than the .357 AirLight and, in fact, have done so.

For goodness sake don't buy one until you shoot one.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[M29since14]

They are mean little guns, there is no doubt. But I don't know if they are that mean!

The good thing about the 340PD is that it is lightweight - very lightweight. The recoil is vicious, but if you decide it is just too much, you can still shoot .38 Specials in it - like any other .357 Magnum. But the point is, you still have a VERY light gun.

If you ask yourself the question, "Would I buy this gun even if it was only chambered for .38s?" you will have the answer to whether you really want the gun for the right reason, IMHO. Having the extra power is certainly a plus. You may or may not be able to actually use it effectively. But the light weight is really the big attraction, for me.

I look at the hi-viz sights as being snag nightmares. I would not want them on anything I own, but particularly not on a pocket gun. The red ramp is much better in that context. The choice regarding the CT grips is entirely another thing. The matter of whether to look at the sights or look for the red dot is a problem for me. I have too many different guns and am too old to teach myself that kind of new trick. JMHO.

 

[bobf]

The gun has to be used with jacketed 120-gr or heavier ammo in .357.

I have never seen similar warnings associated with the other J-frames - just the Titanium .357s.

The 337 doesn't say anything about bullet weight but does warn that .38+P must be jacketed.
Bob

 

[Roger S&W]

Points well taken guys and equally as well appreciated.

Two main take away points for me:

1) Test the ammo you plan on carrying thoroughly

2) Use .38 Special +P

Do I have it right? Gee, I'm a quick study!

 

[M29since14]

...2) Use .38 Special +P
Do I have it right?

Not necessarily.

 

[Roger S&W]

Another revolver newbie question, if you can bear it,
I know you can change the grips on the 340M&P or 340PD but can you change the front sight too or is it permanently fixed making that impossible?

 

[Joni_Lynn]

The 340PD is manageable but it's the least pleasant of all revolvers I've fired. That said it's still my carry gun and when I carry it is with me or the 342Ti in 38 Special is.
If you get one and the recoil is just too much don't worry about it, just carry it as a 38 Special. Different grips might help manage recoil as well.
I changed mine out.

 

[Sprefix]

Napolean...............

Yes and yes.............., bullets can jump forward under recoil and the recoil can be just plain NASTY. I have around 1500 rounds through my M&P360 and love to carry it. It is just under 16 oz. loaded. The 125 gr. Gold Dots are clocking 1200FPS!!!!! I vary the fodder in the gun, but enjoy shooting 38 specials out of it. Winter carry gets the heavy bullets and magnum ammo as clothing is much thicker. Here are a few pics of my M&P360.....

 

[luangtom]

I alternate carry of my M&P340 and my 340PD. I love them both. I carry them with Speer 135-gr Gold-Dot HP .38-Special +P for short-barrel revolvers. I have never had bullet-jump in any of the +P loads.

However, I did experience bullet-jump with Remington Golden Saber .357-Magnum load in the 125-gr configuration. That is the only one that I found it in during my testing. I tried Federal HD with 125-gr, Winchester Silvertips and Speer GDHP 125-gr. These three did not jump crimp.

I still decided to remain with the Speer GDHP 135-gr in .38-Special +P for my daily-carry.

I find either of the revolvers I carry to be carried alot and fired little. If I wanna do lotsa range-time, I get out the K-frame Model 65 or the L-frame Model 686.

Oh, I carry right-front pocket-carry in either a Don Hume or a FIST. Sorry to have rambled-on....

 

[M29since14]

...can you change the front sight too or is it permanently fixed making that impossible?

It's secured with a pin, but it's best to decide which front sight you want and just order the gun that way. Installing and pinning a new front sight is possible, but would be best left to someone with experience in that type of thing.

So when are you buying the 340?

 

[luangtom]

Another revolver newbie question, if you can bear it,
I know you can change the grips on the 340M&P or 340PD but can you change the front sight too or is it permanently fixed making that impossible?

I have had the front-sight changed-out on my 340PD, twice. First, I went with the Meprolight. It was installed by my local 'smith in 15-minutes.

I replaced that with the XS Sights Regular-Dot due its having a great white-outline for these old eyes. I need it for quick acquisition. This one took a bit longer to drill through, as it has a harder composition than the Meprolight. All told, maybe an extra five or six minutes for a total of 20 or so to change it and pin it. It took but a few swipes of the file to seat properly before pinning.

 

[Old cop]

I own the 360 M&P but found that I do not shoot it that well compared to my aluminum frame model 638. I have tried .357 and .38 in the 360 M&P without any problems, but the issues of bullet pull concern me enough that I have decided to sell/trade it.

It does carry great but I have to have confidence in my daily carry and find it lacking with the extremely light weight guns (my mental issue only). The alloy frames are only a couple of ounces heavier so I really don't notice the difference.

All that said, they are fine weapons and I do not discourage anyone from purchasing or carrying them.

 

[Roger S&W]

Helpful info. and VERY NICE pics of those wood grips look great! (Both of you guys)

Think I'll go .38 Special +P...now if I can only find a new 340PD or 340M&P with "no lock" I'm go ahead and pull the trigger. (DAO of course)

Old Cop, thanks for your views and I'll be thinking about that too...the heavier the gun, the more comfortable it is to shoot and the less likely of a bullet pull issue...(do I have that right?)

 

[Roger S&W]

It's secured with a pin, but it's best to decide which front sight you want and just order the gun that way. Installing and pinning a new front sight is possible, but would be best left to someone with experience in that type of thing.

So when are you buying the 340?

Thank you sir. That's what I thought, the sights are much more easily replaced on Glocks, etc...than they are on revolvers.
What ever gave you the impression I'm interested in a 340?

Once I decide between the 340PD and 340M&P AND which one I can find new with "no lock" AND hopefully at Buds for a good price... These little babies are expensive! Might have to thin out the semi-auto collection a bit to make room for a different kinda gun altogether!

 

[PetersCustomLeather]

I doubt that you'll find a no-lock for less than $850. Wholesale price (with shipping) is pushing $775. And.... I think these will be very limited as only one distributor is going to have them. I'm getting one for me!

Thank you sir. That's what I thought, the sights are much more easily replaced on Glocks, etc...than they are on revolvers.
What ever gave you the impression I'm interested in a 340?

Once I decide between the 340PD and 340M&P AND which one I can find new with "no lock" AND hopefully at Buds for a good price... These little babies are expensive! Might have to thin out the semi-auto collection a bit to make room for a different kinda gun altogether!

 

[Roger S&W]

Only one distributor??? Why's that? AAwww, you're just yank'in my chain...

 

[Roger S&W]

I alternate carry of my M&P340 and my 340PD. I love them both. I carry them with Speer 135-gr Gold-Dot HP .38-Special +P for short-barrel revolvers. I have never had bullet-jump in any of the +P loads.

However, I did experience bullet-jump with Remington Golden Saber .357-Magnum load in the 125-gr configuration. That is the only one that I found it in during my testing. I tried Federal HD with 125-gr, Winchester Silvertips and Speer GDHP 125-gr. These three did not jump crimp.

I still decided to remain with the Speer GDHP 135-gr in .38-Special +P for my daily-carry.

I find either of the revolvers I carry to be carried alot and fired little. If I wanna do lotsa range-time, I get out the K-frame Model 65 or the L-frame Model 686.

Oh, I carry right-front pocket-carry in either a Don Hume or a FIST. Sorry to have rambled-on....

Not at all, I appreciate it. Why did you get the two guns that are so similar to eachother? Just curious as I'm trying to decide BETWEEN the two. Is the 2 oz. difference really noticable? Do you prefer the sights better on the 340PD during the day? And the 340M&P at night, obviously? Curious.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Well, maybe one distributor with several locations. It was RSR wasn't it?

 

[Roger S&W]

Yes, it was...do they have several locations nationwide?