Titanium cylinder erosion (340PD) with 125gr factory ammo

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alexrex20

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I just got back my 340PD from S&W for warranty repair (27 days mailbox to mailbox, btw). I sent it in because the crane arm was coming apart... The yoke was pushing through the crane. Check the pic:

16017910583_65e7cb3a35_b.jpg


I also had some cylinder erosion, even though I never fired anything less than 120gr through it. This is ALL that was ever fired through the gun before I noticed the cylinder erosion:

20rds Remington Golden Saber 125gr
35rds Hornady Critical Defense 125gr
35rds Armscor USA 158gr FMJ

16015529824_636620898b_c.jpg


Once I noticed the erosion, I decided to never shoot the 125gr through the 340PD again, and picked up some Barnes Vor-tx 140gr and Speer Gold Dot 158gr. I put 20rds of each brand through it, and didn't notice any more erosion, but the crane arm was continuing to come apart.

I could've lived with the cylinder erosion but not the crane arm issue. Anyway, I got the 340PD back today and took it straight to the range. I only managed 10rds of the 158gr Gold Dots before I called it quits and switch to my Glock 17. :D

16017975423_b00851d51d_c.jpg


The recoil was noticeably stiffer than before; probably has to do with the wood grips. I may carry the 140gr Barnes instead...

Anyway, just wanted to share my experience with the known issue of titanium cylinder erosion. Maybe S&W needs to revise their disclaimer to not shoot anything less than 130gr through the titanium cylinder .357s.

What has everyone else's experience been?
 
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I hate to see this on your gun. I was gonna get the PD, but I'm gonna get the M&P instead. As bad as I wanted the PD, it seems like the Ti cylinder is too finiky.

Does anyone know what the coating is? I'm sure S&W did plenty of R&D on the coating, but I would thing there is something better out there. As many different coatings as there is for carbide tooling, it seems something along those lines would be good.
 
The only Magnum ammunition I have used in mine is 125 gr. I haven't had any issues yet. But, time will tell.
 
I'd really like either of the new 9mm offerings, but have been weary of the damn titanium cylinder. Why do they only offer it in titanium?
 
Brothernov said:
I'd really like either of the new 9mm offerings, but have been weary of the damn titanium cylinder. Why do they only offer it in titanium?
Click to expand...

Since Titanium is lighter than steel, the cylinder has less rotational mass (weight) which translates to a lighter and smoother trigger feel. Sounds like BS but it is true and you can definitely feel the difference.


To the OP, it is too expensive for practice ammo, but for carry I suggest the 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel.
 
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I had a scandium 360 and my friend had the PD version, I thought my gun was beyond light, his was noticeably more light. Maybe it's the D that I received in HS Chemistry but maybe it's too light.
 
Triathloncoach said:
I had a scandium 360 and my friend had the PD version, I thought my gun was beyond light, his was noticeably more light. Maybe it's the D that I received in HS Chemistry but maybe it's too light.
Click to expand...

I think there is only 1.9 oz difference. But yeah, it is surprisingly noticeable.
 
629shooter said:
I really wish I could find the magnums "in stock" somewhere.
Click to expand...

I can't find any in stock right now either. I think they make it in batches so it comes and goes. Keep checking regularly and sooner or later you will find some. Then it is best to stock up.
 
629shooter said:
The only Magnum ammunition I have used in mine is 125 gr. I haven't had any issues yet. But, time will tell.
Click to expand...
Which 125gr Magnums are you shooting?

ridgewalker said:
To the OP, it is too expensive for practice ammo, but for carry I suggest the 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I considered them, but couldn't find any locally or for a decent price online. My online shopping cart has a weird tendency to grow larger and larger to offset the shipping cost... :mad:

NEURON said:
Shoot 38 Special the magnum just wastes powder and blinds/deafens you for a negligible increase in velocity.
Click to expand...
I'd like to see a 125gr+ .38 +P that gets 1200fps out of a snubby. Do you shoot your .38 +Ps without ear protection? It will ring your ears just like a .357 Magnum will. :rolleyes:
 
I have the .44 mag pd model but havn't fired it yet.Being so light I would only use it for carry and not a regular range gun.The cylinder has a dark line where the hot gasses are directed from the little piece of stainless against the forcing cone.Whats the deal for that? Anyone know? The line is about 1/4" from the cylinder end.
 
alexrex20 said:
Which 125gr Magnums are you shooting?


Thanks, I considered them, but couldn't find any locally or for a decent price online. My online shopping cart has a weird tendency to grow larger and larger to offset the shipping cost... :mad:


I'd like to see a 125gr+ .38 +P that gets 1200fps out of a snubby. Do you shoot your .38 +Ps without ear protection? It will ring your ears just like a .357 Magnum will. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

A .25 Auto makes my ears ring if I am stupid enough not to wear them, confused on your point. .38 Special +P max. 20000 PSI .357 Magnum max. 35000 PSI, louder it sounds to me too. Mag Safe makes one that is around 1300-1400FPS for a 2".
What is the load you are talking about.
Longer the barrel with in reasonable constraints more velocity. Why, better propellant burn, do you really think that huge muzzle flash is doing anything to get that bullet to its target faster?
 
NEURON said:
A .25 Auto makes my ears ring if I am stupid enough not to wear them, confused on your point. .38 Special +P max. 20000 PSI .357 Magnum max. 35000 PSI, louder it sounds to me too. Mag Safe makes one that is around 1300-1400FPS for a 2".
What is the load you are talking about.
Longer the barrel with in reasonable constraints more velocity. Why, better propellant burn, do you really think that huge muzzle flash is doing anything to get that bullet to its target faster?
Click to expand...


You made the point that .357Mag is a waste over .38Spl because it blinds/deafens you. Now you make the point that even .25ACP will deafen you if you don't wear ear-pro. Get your story straight.

I don't notice any large muzzle flash in my .357 snubbies with the ammo I shoot. My 10mm shoots fireballs and even still, the extremely brief muzzle flash does not blind me in the least bit.

Sorry that you can't handle it.
 
bob richardson said:
I have the .44 mag pd model but havn't fired it yet.Being so light I would only use it for carry and not a regular range gun.The cylinder has a dark line where the hot gasses are directed from the little piece of stainless against the forcing cone.Whats the deal for that? Anyone know? The line is about 1/4" from the cylinder end.
Click to expand...


That shield is to prevent flame cutting of the topstrap.
 
My 340PD has been misbehaving again. I just noticed that the trigger pivot pin has moved in the frame. It's now slightly recessed.

bc7d95baf3f91ae0554eec0750a879b5.jpg


I really hate sending guns back, especially my EDC. Is this really an issue? I mean, the pin can only move so far before it bottoms out in the side plate right? :D

Ugh.
 
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alexrex20 said:
Which 125gr Magnums are you shooting?





Thanks, I considered them, but couldn't find any locally or for a decent price online. My online shopping cart has a weird tendency to grow larger and larger to offset the shipping cost... :mad:





I'd like to see a 125gr+ .38 +P that gets 1200fps out of a snubby. Do you shoot your .38 +Ps without ear protection? It will ring your ears just like a .357 Magnum will. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Check out Underwood Ammo.
They have a .38+P 125 grain Gold Dot at 1250 FPS.
It is HOT!
And very accurate.
It's what I carry most these days.
Like all Underwood Ammo, it is very very very good.
 
How many rounds do you have through your 340PD? I have several PDs and have shot them a fair amount, even with 357s and have never had any of these issues.

The erosion could also be from improper cleaning.
 
The 340PD has never had a brush to it, let alone any harsh solvents. The extent of my cleaning is Ballistol and a wash rag. Same with all my guns. The erosion was definitely not my fault.

I've put about 600 rounds through it, most of them .357Mag. Almost half of those are post-repair and the cylinder is just fine.

I guess I just got a lemon...
 
I only use hoppes elite on my ti cylinder guns. It's mild & has not caused a problem yet. I don't know what is in ballistol maybe someone here knows.
 
I have little faith in TI cylinders. When I read in the manual that aggressive cleaning could compromise the TI cyl finish in my 296 .44 Spl, which gives the cyl part of its strength, I thought forget it! The alloy frame is light enough so I bought a 696 SS cyl. It dropped in and I never looked back.

I can now shoot heavier bullets and they don't pull under recoil.

orig.jpg
 
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BTW, after sending it in for the loose trigger pivot pin, S&W decided to replace the gun. They actually offered me the .500 S&W but I got the 340PD again and sold it as soon as I got it back. The trigger pull on it was terrible. The star was so poorly fitted that the trigger would basically lock up as the hand tried to override the star on two of the charging holes. Instead of dealing with another hassle with warranty, I just sold it, got my money back, and bought one at the LGS - one I could put my hands on before pulling the trigger....

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
 
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Just for the record, I have owned a 340pd for a dozen years. Very few 357's but a lot of 125gr handloads. No special care while cleaning and other than some holster wear, the gun looks like new. This is a great carry gun and if it ever becomes a problem I will immediately replace it with another.
 
Threads like this are why I'm getting the 627 instead of the 929 for USPSA Revolver Division. The titanium cylinder of the 929 is giving to many problems.
 
alexrex20 said:
BTW, after sending it in for the loose trigger pivot pin, S&W decided to replace the gun. They actually offered me the .500 S&W but I got the 340PD again and sold it as soon as I got it back. The trigger pull on it was terrible. The star was so poorly fitted that the trigger would basically lock up as the hand tried to override the star on two of the charging holes. Instead of dealing with another hassle with warranty, I just sold it, got my money back, and bought one at the LGS - one I could put my hands on before pulling the trigger....

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

So I'm not the only shooter encountering these exact same problems straight from the box. For a while there, I thought I was marooned on a desert island. A shame to have to deal with these issues!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
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