M&p 340

[jfh]

jgorniak: don't worry, you didn't kill the thread.

Many of us eventually treat it as a cumulative record to add to from time to time.

In fact, I suspect that some of us who read of your travails with a P3AT smiled a bit at your future experiences in learning to shoot the M&P 340. Once you can repeatably shoot a quad five, some may respond more quickly to your observations.

Jim H.

[Marvin KNox]

Has anyone done the ballistics (velocity and energy) on both of Speer's
38+p and the 357 magnum short barrel ammo from a 1 and 7/8" snubbie?

I know where to find Speer's specs on their site. I'm not sure what length barrel they used. But I'd like to see how they REALLY differ when shot from the really short barrels like our S&W 340's. That's the only gun I carry.

Also, please discuss recoil and muzzle blast with these two "specific" rounds to help me decide if it's really worth it to fire the 357 short barrels or if I'd be just as well off with the 38's.

Also, I suppose, discussion of these rounds compared to, say, the B.B.'s and such for short barrels would be helpful in so far as considering both recoil and muzzle balst and balistics. I have the B.B. site's data already.

Thanks!

MARV

[Marvin KNox]

Well now -

After posting the above post I revisited the Speer site. After looking at the same ballistic charts many times before- I just for the first time noticed that it does say that the data is from a 2" barrel.

Isn't that the way things always seem to go.

Still - any discussion would be helpful, including any personal tests and observations and ideas concerning the two rounds vs. other kinds of ammo.

MARV

[travl4me1]

Marv, someone more up to speed on the ballistics will likely chime in. I carry the 357 short barrels.

I personally don't notice much recoil difference (if any) from the 38+p Speer short barrels. I even recall one day thinking the 38 recoil felt more stout on my hand, but it's been a while since I shot those calibers back to back.

My question is where are you finding 357 Speer short barrel?. I order most of my ammo from midwayusa, and they have been "out of stock, no backorder" for many many months on that round. I'm running out. With the weather starting to turn warmer, my practice will pick up, and I'll be out in no time.

Anyone? anyone?

[FranklyTodd]

where are you finding 357 Speer short barrel

+1 I've searched for them so often online I know the part number by heart 23917. They have been out everywhere I've looked for probably 4 months.

[travl4me1]

I was told in December they would be in production of that round in January. I just called speer customer service (nice as can be) and they said they are Now scheduled to be in production of that 357 short barrel round in mid April. We should be seeing it shortly thereafter. I suggest if you see it, buy what you need for 6 mos or a year cause it obviously runs out with large dry spells.

[Marvin KNox]

I got mine from "Ammunition to go" - just a few weeks ago.

MARV

[travl4me1]

Marv,
That was the last place I found it too...back in November. However, I ordered 3 boxes and I got a call that they could only send 2, as that was all that was left in the 135 grain short barrel 357. Maybe that's changed. I hope so.

There is a 125 grain version that is Not short barrel. In my experience, the 135 grain short barrel round has significantly less recoil than a regular 125 grain speer, remington, etc...they are much more punishing in a small frame revolver.

I'll check out ammuntiontogo !

thanks!

[Marvin KNox]

I just looked over there and they are now out of the Speer 357 short barrel. I guess I got the last box.

Speer 38+p short barrel seems to be around, though.

Anybody out there who comes across info on this stuff - give a shout out. Don't keep it to yourself. This seems to be the popular stuff for snubbies. That's true in 38 and 357.

MARV

[FranklyTodd]

Anybody out there who comes across info on this stuff - give a shout out.

NO, NO, NO. First, PM FranklyTodd, wait 24 hours, THEN shout out!

[jfh]

I've recorded and reported data from Speer's GDSB135-gr. loads in both the 38+P and .357 Magnum version, as shot in both a 640 and an M&P 340, as well as in a M60/3" and a 686P/4".

Use google to search this thread, the 642 thread, and in the Reloading forum for more information, particularly about "replica reloads" of these rounds.

Several of us have worked extensively on reloading recipes for these rounds.

I will have to disagree with travl4me, however, in his assessment of the recoil of these two cartridges as being essentially similar. The 357 Mag / 135 gr. round is much quicker and harder than the 38+P / 135 gr. round--which is full, and a bit sudden, but not hard.

Personally, I would rate the 357 Magnum round at the upper end of tolerance in a lightweight, at least if measured by the criteria of two quad fives fired back to back.

Frankly Todd can probably help fill you in a bit more, too. Meanwhile, look for the posts with Google.

Jim H.

[travl4me1]

I would have to go out and shoot them back to back again to access the perceived recoil difference, but I tend to lean towards your thinking Jim. You've obviously done the research and what I was trying to recall was long ago. I may very well have my wires crossed, or thinking of a memory of completely different gun. its possible.

FYI - I called ammunition to go regarding 357 s.b. speer. Also nice folks.

Said they have it in 158 grain short barrel.

I told them to the best of my recent knowledge the short barrel version isn't made in a 158 grain, at least not for a 357 Mag. (I've not seen the 2008 Speer product catalog)

Put on hold again.

Said they were updating their web site tonight and thought it show up tomorrow.

I asked "in 135 grain, short barrel."

put on hold.

then I was told "I believe so."

Dont hold your breathe, cause I believe MidwayUSA would be showing an actual backordered date if this was correct (assuming both companies would be restocked around the same time) , but I'll be looking in the next 24- 48 hrs. I hope they have it!

[travl4me1]

Ammunition to go , Just posted they have it! Order away! Thanks Marv. You were spot on!

23917

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/p...roducts_id=711

[daehawc]

I just picked up my S&W M&P 360 tonight. This is the first I've heard about .357 short barrel ammo. the only .357 ammo I still have laying around is a few rounds of DoubleTap 125gr. Are these lightweights able to handle these loads or should I be looking at some lower pressure ammo? Looking at the specs it seems the SB ammo puts out significantly less ME.

[jfh]

daehawc:

1. The scandium-framed j-frames will handle .357 Magnum factory ammo, period. Depending on the age of your 360, it may have the warning to NOT use 110-gr. bullets in it. Do heed that warning--apparently doing so leads to cylinder problems. (If yours does NOT have that warning on it, it means that the cylinder is now steel, IIRC.)

I think there is less question about the scandium lightweights being able to handle this ammo; the question is more whether or not the shooter can handle it.

The short barrel ammo does put out less energy--but the bullet is optimized for use that the lower velocities.

The GDSB 38+P 135-gr. round runs about 860-900 fps from a 2" barrel, and the bullet is set up for nominally 850-1050 fps. The GDSB 357 Magnum 135-gr. round runs about 970-1000 fps, with a much sharper recoil.

Unless you're an accomplished short-barrel revolver shooter with a well-conditioned hand, I'd suggest you try the 38+P 135-gr. loads first and see how they feel to you.

Many of us carry them in complete confidence.

Jim H.

[Nematocyst]

[by edit: out of respect for my friend DA,
just to make sure that he and others know
I was just messing around a bit on a night off,
in a frivolous mood with the hope of lightening things up
a bit among folks that I respect who are talking about a really fine little revolver.

Since no banter has ensued, I hope that others were not offended by what I wrote.

Sorry if it was over the top ...

But just in case - I'm going to pull this little fun essay off -
and keep it in a safe place.



<sound of crickets>

[Nematocyst]

{Friday night, almost 24 hrs later}

Hello?
Hello?
Hello?
Hello?
Hello?


Is anybody here?
Is anybody here?
Is anybody here?
Is anybody here?


Do any of you folks have
an M&P340 wearing a set of Hogue Monogrips?

Or an image of one?

[DAdams]

I missed something? I have been busy spinning the hampster wheel of commerce, traveling a great deal and haven't been around THR Ranch much lately.

Tell you what, you can't take your eyes or ears off a thread for a minute and that Nem A. Tocyst fellow comes around raisin-a-ruckus.
We run a family place hereabouts, so be good and be on best behavior

Do any of you folks have
an M&P340 wearing a set of Hogue Monogrips?

Or an image of one?

See Post #2 for photos of the 340 sporting the HM.

I took the Hogue Monos off reluctantly because they were a bit long for many of the shorts and chinos I wear and were easily made while in pocket carry mode. I also missed my laser sighting system.
One of these days I'm going to purchase some 305s which I hope might be the best of both worlds, albeit it again they might be a big long.

Didn't mean to kill this thread...

...or is my range report the definitive word on this fine 13.3 oz hand cannon (doubtful)

jgorniak. Thanks for the report and your impressions. JFH thanks for the cleaning report and to all contributing to the ammunition experience keep it coming.

[Nematocyst]

We run a family place hereabouts, so be good and be on best behavior

Oh, OK. I'll try to be good.

It's just so hard to be good sometimes ...



I'm at work now on a busy day, but I'll pm you the original so you don't miss out on anything.

[FranklyTodd]

Ammunition to go , Just posted they have it! Order away!

Two boxes on the way... I'll post my impressions of the difference, as I have plenty of the +P, too.

Frankly Todd can probably help fill you in a bit more, too.

Actually, no, this will be the first of the .357SB I've gotten my hands on. Can't wait! Don't know why I can't wait - not like it will be FUN to shoot or anything!

[Nematocyst]

See Post #2 for photos of the 340 sporting the HM.

You mean this one? (Yes.)



Now that's a fine, fine looking air-weight revolver. Oh, yes.
The proportions just look ... natural to me.

And if I'm going to try to control that much power in a mule,
gimme something extra to hold onto.

[Marvin KNox]

By the way- do you all know about this place. They don't have the 357 "short barrel" ammo - but they do have the 38+p short barrel ammo.

$26 is a very good price for 50 rounds. I know places that charge over $20 for only 20 rounds.

Check it out.

(Maybe if we all get on them they'll order in some 357 "short barrel" stuff when Speer starts running it off the production line.)

MARV

[Marvin KNox]

http://www.streichers.com/ProductDet...&Prod=CCI-38GD

Doesn't help much with out the site address now does it?

[FranklyTodd]

If anyone's on the fence, here's an M&P340CT for $750, which seems really cheap to me (I've got a lot more than that in mine!). I've bought from this store in person - good folks:

https://shop.vanceoutdoors.com/mp340...g-p-17730.html

[DAdams]

http://www.shootersjax.com/c-197-revolvers.aspx

These guys have the 340 and 360 for $625. Might have to add shipping, CC fees vs cash and of course transfer fees.

I think Marvin Knox purchased his from these guys??