S&W 340PD........OMG (Unsolicited range review) - Page 2

usmc3169 · July 2nd, 2009, 07:28 PM

I love my 340... with the CT grips (with the recoil pad on teh back) the recoil is manageable.....

I dont think I have fired over 200 rounds of .357 in a single range day - but gotten up around 200 several times. Its a fun gun as long as you dont mind the snappy recoil.

Rexster · July 3rd, 2009, 05:16 PM

I got rid of my Airlite that was chambered in .38 Special. Just too brutal. I still have my Airweight that weighs a mere three more ounces, but those three ounces are VITAL. I say this as someone who shoots 180-grain monster-slayers and to-the-firewall 125-grain loads in SP101 snubbies, and finds in exhilarating, not painful.

FWIW, my hands are quite skinny. I could put mega-cushion-y rubber grips on an Airlite J-frame, to mitigate the effect of recoil, but that defeats the purpose of concealability.

Thumper · July 3rd, 2009, 05:34 PM

I love my 340... gotta say, I do carry .38+P Gold Dots in it. Usually my BUG, my primary is a 1911, but I also pocket carry it. When you own a 340 there's never an excuse for not being armed!

S&W 340CT in backup holster.

falcon1 · July 3rd, 2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Frame

Is the 340 a K frame? My 386 is the scandium N-frame and the recoil is very manageable. Best -

I'm pretty certain it's a J-Frame:
Product: Model 340PD Revolver

Danimal · July 3rd, 2009, 10:50 PM

Yeah.. shooting .357 out of these things is ridiculous. I am not recoil averse, but these things are insane shooting .357 in them. Any .38 Special +P is just fine. Pachmayr grips help a bunch. Cheers.

ENH · July 3rd, 2009, 11:55 PM

The 340PD is one of my always guns. I put 100 rounds of 158 gr 38 spl through it today. It is fun to shoot with 38's. The load I carry is the Speer 38 Spl +P 135 gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel load. It is very accurate and you do not know you have it in your pocket. You can buy a heavier gun, but you may find you leave it at home allot.

F350 · July 4th, 2009, 12:11 AM

I have heard of cases (and seen 1) where the internal lock on the light weight S&W J frame 357s have locked the guns up under the heavy recoil of hot 357 loads.

I was working at a gun shop/indoor range before coming to Iraq and a guy brings in an airweight J frame, hammer cocked and taped up so it couldn't fire. I took a key from one of the display guns and went to the range. After untapping the gun I tried to unlock and nothing happened, so I locked then unlocked the internal "safety" lock. As soon as the gun was unlocked the hammer fell, since my finger was not on the trigger the internal mechanism prevented firing. He said he had already fired 2 cylinders and had fired 2 rounds of this cylinder when it locked up. Not saying it will happen to your gun but I have seen it with my own eyes.

Super Trucker · July 4th, 2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

I love my 340... gotta say, I do carry .38+P Gold Dots in it. Usually my BUG, my primary is a 1911, but I also pocket carry it. When you own a 340 there's never an excuse for not being armed!

S&W 340CT in backup holster.

Thumper what holster is that?

Super Trucker · July 4th, 2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F350

I have heard of cases (and seen 1) where the internal lock on the light weight S&W J frame 357s have locked the guns up under the heavy recoil of hot 357 loads.

I was working at a gun shop/indoor range before coming to Iraq and a guy brings in an airweight J frame, hammer cocked and taped up so it couldn't fire. I took a key from one of the display guns and went to the range. After untapping the gun I tried to unlock and nothing happened, so I locked then unlocked the internal "safety" lock. As soon as the gun was unlocked the hammer fell, since my finger was not on the trigger the internal mechanism prevented firing. He said he had already fired 2 cylinders and had fired 2 rounds of this cylinder when it locked up. Not saying it will happen to your gun but I have seen it with my own eyes.

I thought that horse was already dead. If you are concerned about the lock, just disable it.

If you are concerned about a Kaboom, don't fire a glock.

usmc3169 · July 4th, 2009, 02:24 AM

that poor horse.....

July 2nd, 2009, 07:28 PM	#11
usmc3169 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 485	I love my 340... with the CT grips (with the recoil pad on teh back) the recoil is manageable..... I dont think I have fired over 200 rounds of .357 in a single range day - but gotten up around 200 several times. Its a fun gun as long as you dont mind the snappy recoil. __________________ S&W M&P340CT, Glock 22, Springfield XDm, SIG Sauer P229 Elite "For those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know". Unknown Marine, Khe Sanh

July 3rd, 2009, 05:34 PM	#13
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 5,586	I love my 340... gotta say, I do carry .38+P Gold Dots in it. Usually my BUG, my primary is a 1911, but I also pocket carry it. When you own a 340 there's never an excuse for not being armed! S&W 340CT in backup holster. __________________ USMC 1968-1971 ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell! *"Don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things!"*

July 4th, 2009, 02:24 AM	#20
usmc3169 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 485	that poor horse..... __________________ S&W M&P340CT, Glock 22, Springfield XDm, SIG Sauer P229 Elite "For those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know". Unknown Marine, Khe Sanh

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July 3rd, 2009, 05:16 PM	#12
Rexster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 895	I got rid of my Airlite that was chambered in .38 Special. Just too brutal. I still have my Airweight that weighs a mere three more ounces, but those three ounces are VITAL. I say this as someone who shoots 180-grain monster-slayers and to-the-firewall 125-grain loads in SP101 snubbies, and finds in exhilarating, not painful. FWIW, my hands are quite skinny. I could put mega-cushion-y rubber grips on an Airlite J-frame, to mitigate the effect of recoil, but that defeats the purpose of concealability.

July 3rd, 2009, 10:50 PM	#15
Danimal Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 433	Yeah.. shooting .357 out of these things is ridiculous. I am not recoil averse, but these things are insane shooting .357 in them. Any .38 Special +P is just fine. Pachmayr grips help a bunch. Cheers.

July 3rd, 2009, 11:55 PM	#16
ENH New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 6	The 340PD is one of my always guns. I put 100 rounds of 158 gr 38 spl through it today. It is fun to shoot with 38's. The load I carry is the Speer 38 Spl +P 135 gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel load. It is very accurate and you do not know you have it in your pocket. You can buy a heavier gun, but you may find you leave it at home allot.

July 4th, 2009, 12:11 AM	#17
F350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Al Taqaddum airbase, Iraq Posts: 697	I have heard of cases (and seen 1) where the internal lock on the light weight S&W J frame 357s have locked the guns up under the heavy recoil of hot 357 loads. I was working at a gun shop/indoor range before coming to Iraq and a guy brings in an airweight J frame, hammer cocked and taped up so it couldn't fire. I took a key from one of the display guns and went to the range. After untapping the gun I tried to unlock and nothing happened, so I locked then unlocked the internal "safety" lock. As soon as the gun was unlocked the hammer fell, since my finger was not on the trigger the internal mechanism prevented firing. He said he had already fired 2 cylinders and had fired 2 rounds of this cylinder when it locked up. Not saying it will happen to your gun but I have seen it with my own eyes.