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

LeCalsey · July 2nd, 2009, 03:35 PM

I was at the range this morning for my normal range outing. While there I test fired a 340PD that my friend had brought along.

It is a .357 airweight in scandium & titanium. Phenominal power from a small and VERY lightweight handgun. NOT fun to shoot in .357 but a formidible package for CC in a tiny platform. Snappy is not the word for that SOB in .357 BTW...downright nasty would be a little closer. IT IS NOT A RANGE GUN FWIW. Although it's not for me, I think the gun is awesome in all other respects.

The gun is remarkably accurate and was almost enjoyable with .38+P ammo but the .357 RUINED me for shooting my 9mm H&K afterwards. I had shot 100 rds of 9mm through my H&K (Nice & tight) before I was offered a chance to shoot the 340. Glad I had done that already because I pulled the snot out of everything from the H&K afterwards.

I think that the small framed airweights are an amazing advancement in CC handgun technology.....especially in the wheelgun category. Those are mean little powerhouse handguns.

Stav · July 2nd, 2009, 03:50 PM

I am really wanting one of those little Airweights. A lot of people have a love/hate relationship with them. I want to try one out before I buy one.

Lecalsey - its a good thing you tried one on for size.

I heard some folks change the grip ; using a Houge Monogrip helps.

LeCalsey · July 2nd, 2009, 04:02 PM

I am still considering one in .38 but not likely in .357. I like to be able to practice with a gun and I can't see more that 15 or 20 rds without a glove. I already have a SS full-size .357 that IS fun to shoot in .357

glock45 · July 2nd, 2009, 04:29 PM

I took my SP101 .357 mag to the range and felt the same way. I shot some Double Tap 125 gr. loads from it and WOW!!! Even though the SP is a steel gun and recoil is a bit more manageable, those Doubletaps kick!
After that, shooting my G30 with +p rounds was like shooting an airsoft.

jwhite75 · July 2nd, 2009, 04:48 PM

My friend EDC one with CT grips on it. He loves it but knows it is a fire breather and says it is not for the faint of heart.

Stav · July 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM

Me too, I love to practice with my guns. Its no fun for me, if I cant shoot at least 50 through it. I have a Colt Python that is FUN. That bad boy is a powerhouse.

I can't begin to imagine cracking off a 158 grn fullhouse .357 mag, in a 13 oz gun, with a 2 handed grip. I want to try it though :)) . OUCH!! comes to mind.

The S&W 642 or 638 bodyguard seems more user friendly.

Warmon · July 2nd, 2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeCalsey

NOT fun to shoot in .357 but a formidible package for CC in a tiny platform.

I agree. Brutal. Not fun at all. Don't even think about buying one until you shoot it first. I was ready to quit at 3 and 5 was more than enough. The only thing they are good for is pocket or ankle carry.

Jay Frame · July 2nd, 2009, 06:11 PM

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

BamaSteve · July 2nd, 2009, 06:14 PM

I read about this little thing in a magazine this past weekend. I was thinking about looking at this when I go to purchase my first wheel gun. I figured the .357 would be ruff, but I was thinking about just practicing with .38 spl and carrying .357 in it. That a good idea, or is it better to just stick with a 642 or similar?

SelfDefense · July 2nd, 2009, 06:22 PM

I love my 340.

I don't seem to have the problem that others have, even shooting .357. Perhaps that is because I am not a gun hobbyist. I hate the noise; I hate wearing the eye protection; I don't go plinking. I carry, practice and train for a single purpose: to defend myself in the slight chance it is required.

Yes, it is different than plinking with a .22. So?

I practice with +p (with a few .357s thrown in) and carry .357. I have no qualms at all being able to hit COM from 7 feet and getting following shots quickly on target. And if I hit the throat instead of COM? My bad.

I carry the 340 often, especially during the summer. I can clip it on shorts,it disappears under a shirt and is almost imperceptible to me because of its light weight.

Thumbs up for the 340.

July 2nd, 2009, 03:35 PM	#1
LeCalsey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St Augustine, Florida Posts: 686	S&W 340PD........OMG (Unsolicited range review) I was at the range this morning for my normal range outing. While there I test fired a 340PD that my friend had brought along. It is a .357 airweight in scandium & titanium. Phenominal power from a small and VERY lightweight handgun. NOT fun to shoot in .357 but a formidible package for CC in a tiny platform. Snappy is not the word for that SOB in .357 BTW...downright nasty would be a little closer. IT IS NOT A RANGE GUN FWIW. Although it's not for me, I think the gun is awesome in all other respects. The gun is remarkably accurate and was almost enjoyable with .38+P ammo but the .357 RUINED me for shooting my 9mm H&K afterwards. I had shot 100 rds of 9mm through my H&K (Nice & tight) before I was offered a chance to shoot the 340. Glad I had done that already because I pulled the snot out of everything from the H&K afterwards. I think that the small framed airweights are an amazing advancement in CC handgun technology.....especially in the wheelgun category. Those are mean little powerhouse handguns. __________________ "I am glad you asked that question. Uh.....Aaaa....Err....uh....um.....err............ .where is my teleprompter?" Barack Hussein Obama (Teleprompter In Chief)

July 2nd, 2009, 03:50 PM	#2
Stav Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spring , TX Posts: 33	I am really wanting one of those little Airweights. A lot of people have a love/hate relationship with them. I want to try one out before I buy one. Lecalsey - its a good thing you tried one on for size. I heard some folks change the grip ; using a Houge Monogrip helps. __________________ Come to the Darkside. We have Cookies.

July 2nd, 2009, 04:02 PM	#3
LeCalsey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St Augustine, Florida Posts: 686	I am still considering one in .38 but not likely in .357. I like to be able to practice with a gun and I can't see more that 15 or 20 rds without a glove. I already have a SS full-size .357 that IS fun to shoot in .357 __________________ "I am glad you asked that question. Uh.....Aaaa....Err....uh....um.....err............ .where is my teleprompter?" Barack Hussein Obama (Teleprompter In Chief)

July 2nd, 2009, 04:29 PM	#4
glock45 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: florida Posts: 228	I took my SP101 .357 mag to the range and felt the same way. I shot some Double Tap 125 gr. loads from it and WOW!!! Even though the SP is a steel gun and recoil is a bit more manageable, those Doubletaps kick! After that, shooting my G30 with +p rounds was like shooting an airsoft. __________________ G30 .45 ACP G21SF .45 ACP Ruger SP101 DAO .357 Mag. S&W 642 .38 +P

July 2nd, 2009, 04:48 PM	#5
jwhite75 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,243	My friend EDC one with CT grips on it. He loves it but knows it is a fire breather and says it is not for the faint of heart. __________________ Friends don't let friends be MALL NINJAS.

July 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM	#6
Stav Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Spring , TX Posts: 33	Me too, I love to practice with my guns. Its no fun for me, if I cant shoot at least 50 through it. I have a Colt Python that is FUN. That bad boy is a powerhouse. I can't begin to imagine cracking off a 158 grn fullhouse .357 mag, in a 13 oz gun, with a 2 handed grip. I want to try it though :)) . OUCH!! comes to mind. The S&W 642 or 638 bodyguard seems more user friendly. __________________ Come to the Darkside. We have Cookies.

July 2nd, 2009, 06:11 PM	#8
Jay Frame Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hiram Ga Posts: 54	Is the 340 a K frame? My 386 is the scandium N-frame and the recoil is very manageable. Best -

July 2nd, 2009, 06:14 PM	#9
BamaSteve Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 663	I read about this little thing in a magazine this past weekend. I was thinking about looking at this when I go to purchase my first wheel gun. I figured the .357 would be ruff, but I was thinking about just practicing with .38 spl and carrying .357 in it. That a good idea, or is it better to just stick with a 642 or similar? __________________ Smith & Wesson M&P9cCrossbreed Supertuck EDC Light:Nitecore EX10 R2 EDC Knife:Remington Sportsman Series “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” --Thomas Jefferson 1816

July 2nd, 2009, 06:22 PM	#10
SelfDefense Restricted Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 2,737	I love my 340. I don't seem to have the problem that others have, even shooting .357. Perhaps that is because I am not a gun hobbyist. I hate the noise; I hate wearing the eye protection; I don't go plinking. I carry, practice and train for a single purpose: to defend myself in the slight chance it is required. Yes, it is different than plinking with a .22. So? I practice with +p (with a few .357s thrown in) and carry .357. I have no qualms at all being able to hit COM from 7 feet and getting following shots quickly on target. And if I hit the throat instead of COM? My bad. I carry the 340 often, especially during the summer. I can clip it on shorts,it disappears under a shirt and is almost imperceptible to me because of its light weight. Thumbs up for the 340.

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