[Ghostrider_23]

I seen that the new S&W 340's are coming with Stainless Steel cylinders and wanted to know why. I heard that when firing the standard models for prolong times the pistol would lock up, has that happen to any of you. How are the 340's compared to the 642??????

Which would you buy and why

[ArmedBear]

Uh, my 642 has a stainless cylinder. Not a problem.

S&W's website lists both a titanium-cylinder (340) and a stainless-cylinder (340SS) version.

I'd buy a 642. I DID buy a 642.

I've shot a .357 Airlite with magnums, and not even really hot ones. It was accurate, but it was a bit hard to handle well. I think I'd be a good deal faster back on target with .38+P, and that my wife could shoot it a lot better, too.

Since I decided I'd load it with +P ammo anyway, I figured I wouldn't pay hundreds extra for a feature I wouldn't use.

[DougDubya]

The lighter cylinder moves more under recoil impulse, making it problematic with hotter loads which may loosen in their cases, or so I've heard. The heavier SS cylinder has more inertia, and as such, doesn't rattle or shake back and forth so much.

[Old Fuff]

Titanium is a very elastic material, and if the cylinder/barrel gap is very tight there can be problems, in addition to issues when cleaning the chambers. The slight additional weight of a steel cylinder is not depremental and the advantages can be considerable, especially if the revolver is chambered in .357 Magnum. :scrutiny:

[ewayte]

Stainless steel cylinder = $
Titanium cylinder = $$$

Smith & Wesson can sell more guns at a greater profit by using stainless steel instead of titanium cylinders. Plus, there's less warranty / repair work on titanium cylinders that people didn't care for properly.

If the M&P revolvers hadn't come out, I would have bought the PD series. What sold me on the M&P series was the night sight.

[Ghostrider_23]

I maybe wrong, but the 642 does not have SS Cylinder. There is a SS sleeve in the barrel, but the cylinder is made from Alloy.

[rdrancher]

I maybe wrong, but the 642 does not have SS Cylinder.

Nope, you're wrong. The cylinder is stainless steel.

rd

[ArmedBear]

Also, my 642 has a stainless barrel, not a sleeve. The barrel/sight/lug, cylinder, crane, pin, latch and latch release, and trigger, are all stainless steel.

S&W makes so many variants of similar guns, though, I can only say that's what I found on the particular 642 I was just fiddling with (wife and I just got done dry-fire practicing with the DAO trigger). For all I know, there are similar guns out there made out of dilithium crystals and wookie hair.

[DougDubya]

For all I know, there are similar guns out there made out of dilithium crystals and wookie hair.

But they only exist within a TARDIS. :D

[Ghostrider_23]

WOW, thank you all, that is good to know. I never planned to fire 357 just 38 +P and did not want any trouble with lock up, that is why I was going for the SS cylinder.

This information you have all given me will save me a couple hundred dollars and I thank you all.

What tpye of special care will I need to give to these pistols as far as cleaning solutions, etc.... What is safe for the material????

[batmann]

Stainless are easier to clean for one thing. Sc cyls have been known to have magnum rounds 'jump crimp' at times, locking up everything.

[mavracer]

340 M&P's have ss cylinders and will do any thing a 642 will do plus they have the big XS night sight.a 642 is a exellent choice to be sure but if you have the extra dough.