M&p 340

[Marvin KNox]

I 'm aware that there is a certain amount of hand conditioning that is required while working up to 357's for carry. But even 38+p's aren't pleasant to shoot for 50 rounds or more.

So, considering all that, what do you guys think of the use of a shooting glove in these range sessions.

Would the fact that the recoil isn't going to be felt as much during an actual life or death situation make the use of a glove more palitable etc. etc.

General comments on gloves would be of interest to me. If they are OK, would a cut down golf glove work and what is needed in a glove etc.?

MARV

[FranklyTodd]

These guys have the 340 and 360 for $625

But that means with my local guys, you get the CT grips for $125 more - I still think it's a steal - I have $605 in the gun, and $260 in the S&W grips!

General comments on gloves would be of interest to me.

I didn't like it, myself, as I just didn't get the same feel. I was probably using too much padding, as I just grabbed an old fingerless weightlifting glove. Having said that, I tried it for probably 10 shots, so maybe one could get used to it. I'd think going no glove w/ std. 38 loads then to +P or even 357 in a real situation would be less difference, at least the gun would feel the same in your hand/pointing.

[Marvin KNox]

I paid $770 + $25 for shipping for my M&P with S&W factory grips. (from "Shooters") My local dealer charged me $35 for his trouble in delivering the gun and doing paperwork etc. No problems with the buying experience.

[DAdams]

So, considering all that, what do you guys think of the use of a shooting glove in these range sessions.

It ain't natural. When my hand gets that beat up it's time to go home and clean em up. Or take a break.

I will also switch over to a semi-auto at that point. 9mm with standard loads, works different muscle groups and isn't as obnoxious.

[Dan-O]

Thanks for the good word on Shooters Supply. I just purchased one from them for $625 and that included shipping. Am going to Vegas over the weekend, but I think it will be there ready for pick up on Monday, or Tuesday morning.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I am really excited about adding this gun to my carry rotation, especially in the summer time.

[DAdams]

Dan-O.

We will want a comparison between that Kahr PM 45 and 340 with full house
.357.

[Dan-O]

DAdams,

Yowser, full house .357 makes me flinch just thinking about it. I will have to wait till I pick up some of those hogues that you have pics of out here before I shoot .357 through the gun.

Anyone know if Wolff Springs for J-Frames will fit on this gun? It does not reference the 340 on the Wolff website. I am assuming they do fit, but just wanted to know if anyone else has any first hand experience. Thanks,

Dan-O

[FranklyTodd]

I will have to wait till I pick up some of those hogues that you have pics of out here before I shoot .357 through the gun.

Yeah, we'll see... I bought mine planning to NEVER shoot .357s, I just wanted the lighter gun, and appreciated that it was tough enough to handle a .357. First trip to the range the curiosity got the better of me, and the counter guy just GAVE me a handful so he could see me cry.

Honestly, it wasn't all that bad at the time - sore for a few days (ok, a week) after, but it was fun!

BTW, can you share why you are already considering aftermarket springs? Never considered such a thing...

[Dan-O]

Todd,

I have replaced the factory springs in my Taurus 85, and Ruger SP101 .357, and man alive, what a difference it makes on the action. I think it really smoothes things out.

Just a personal preference is all.

[ijay]

Hi All, Just got a M&P340,Traded in a Kahr pm45. What I'm looking for is deep pocket jeans. Cherokee use to make jeans But theye don't anymore, I carry in a Mika front pocket. And need long pocket jeans. Love the 340, thinking of getting ct grips, don't know which ones yet.

Thanks IJ

[FranklyTodd]

What I'm looking for is deep pocket jeans.

I haven't tried a Mika yet, mine is on order. In a Desantis Nemesis, I find pockets that are too big more of a problem than those that are too small. I wear loose-fit Levi's from Target (the Levi Strauss is in script, if that helps), and if anything the gun flops around in there too much for my taste. If it's sitting right, it doesn't print at all, but sometimes it rotates 45 degrees, then the outline of the grip is much more pronounced. My cargo's with smaller front pockets actually carry better - I guess the bulge is slightly more obvious, but it stays in place, and doesn't look like a gun IMHO.

Just something to watch for... Love the CTs, I have the 405s. I think the 105s are cheaper, and the 305s are more comfortable, but harder to conceal. You can get them from S&W directly with the S&W logo instead of CTC (as I did), but they are list price, period - $259 when I got mine (and they don't sell the 105s). I think you can get CT branded for just over $200 online.

Good luck - would love to read a range report contrasting it with the PM45.

FT

[ijay]

pm45 less felt recoil than 340 with 357, but 38+p is less recoil than pm45. Both are are accurate at 7yds.[thats what I practice at]. I got rid of the pm because I continued to have fte even aft. 300 brake in rds. I sent it back to kahr for repair. Just didn't trust it after that. I had a pm9 with 3000 rds no problem. The pm45 hid a little better than the 340, but the 340 goes bang all the time.

IJ.

[DAdams]

ijay-

Too bad about the PM 45. Think I would rather the .45 Colt New Agent, heavier and slightly larger and SA/DA. Not for the pocket carry MO though. I like my PM 9, although the 340 gets the most carry time.

If you are into chinos don't forget the Columbia Lander slacks. Too bad they only do tan and no navy or other dark colors. They make great pocket carrys and will handle any grip without printing. They have the carry pocket behind a normal main pocket with a zipper, no worry about falling out and leading to one of those "embarrasing" moments.

Of course there are always the 5.11 chinos made for carry.

I think I might be ready to try a Smart Carry band also. Easily conceal a J Frame and two or three speed strips.

[ijay]

I use a smart carry for my pt145. It works good & very comfortable. I find it harder to get to my 340 with it. [maybe i just need more practice]. I live in s.fl. so I wear cherokee shorts alot. But wanted jeans for when i ride my bike and want to have the 340.

IJ.

[DAdams]

What I'm looking for is deep pocket jeans.

I can't vouch for these as I don't wear jeans in FL. Might be worth checking out.

http://www.totersjeans.com/

http://magills.com/
These guys carry a great deal of CC wear.

[jfh]

BEST JEANS I KNOW OF: DULUTH TRADING COMPANY

The "FOM" jeans at Duluth Trading--here.

I have bought all three 'grades' of their jeans--the lightweight, medium-weight, and the "fire hose versions."

The light weight (PN 86069) have deep pockets--read the details.

For some reason, the medium weight are less deep--more like 'standard' jeans pockets; I can barely fully conceal a 340/boot-grip in a Mika in those.

The "Fire Hose" ones have the deeper pockets, too--although not Denim, the toughest pants I own.

All three are a bit 'nerdy,' IMO--these are not designer type jeans, but good-qualtiy stuff being marketed with very savvy techniques to the nouveau riche.

I thought they were high-priced--but no worse than 5.1 jeans, and far better than the Blacky Collins brand.

I see they have shorts, too, and have added Carhartt-brand work clothes.

I also have a vest, jacket, and one of their denim sportscoats. Their pocket features are generally well-done--check them out.

Given the current prices situation, I now consider them acceptable buys, if not low price.

Jim H.

[ijay]

Thanks to all, I ordered the Duluth jeans. This a great forum , I'll be going out of town for a wk. But i'm looking forward coming back to see whats new here.

IJ.

[Marvin KNox]

Everyone knows that a manly gunbelt forms the basis of any good holster system.

I've been researching a good belt to go along with my Smith and Weson 357 magnum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXnG9isPX8

MARV

[DAdams]

I keep forgetting about the Duluth stuff. Maybe when I spend a winter in TN instead of FL I'll have to try some of these out. I haven't owned a pair of jeans in 15 years.

side pockets are a full 12" deep so your stuff doesn't fall out. Roomy in the seat and thigh and prewashed for that broken-in feel right out of the box. 14-oz. 100% cotton denim.

I hate it when my "stuff" falls out, so 12 inch deep pockets would allow me to go back to the 340 with the Hogue Monos.
With pockets that deep you could use the Crimson Trace 305s.

Safe travels ijay.

[jfh]

Well, after watching Marv's video, I gained new insight into a good belt for packing, so to speak.

The Duluth jeans grew on me; they are accommodating for my gravity-enabled weight issues. I've sent them e-mail two times, suggesting they tweak their "pockets" features a bit for carry guys. They refused to respond overlty, and I have felt ignored.

Yet, today, while looking for a belt, I found new belts there, including a Texas Ranger belt, that they described as having been designed for strapping on a holster. They also offer a variety of suspenders, and kits of quick-attach buttons. I've gotten in a set of braces and buttons to try out--just haven't gotten to it yet.

I think the owner is a capitalist liberal, and a very savvy marketer.

Jim H.

[FranklyTodd]

Wow, after watching Marv's video, I'm questioning every moment I've spent reading THR, and this thread in particular.

I was wondering when this thread would "jump the shark" (http://www.jumptheshark.com/index.jspa) and I think it just happened.

I want the 4 1/2 minutes of my life back that I just spent watching that goober play with his jewels.

And what's with all this talk about fancypants??? To me the whole beauty of the M&P340 is the ability to drop it into any pants pocket and carry it effortlessly.

The day I buy special pants for my 13oz snub is the day I start carrying an HK or some other big gun. If I was willing to wear ugly clothes in order to carry, I could carry a full size 1911, USPc, or a 3-4" K-frame.

Ok, clearly I need to take a break from the internet, change my M&P340 thread subscription to once-a-week instead of instant notification, and switch to decaf.... I'm going out of town with ijay - hey where are we going?

[ijay]

Going to my sons wedding in Pineville LA. Your welcome to come. just bring a large gift. lol.

[DAdams]

That video is just wrong, wrong, wrong. On so many levels.

I kept waiting for the "dude" to break into a chorus of YMCA.

Ahem... I just don't know what to make of that "cowboy".

Ok, back on hardware, er I mean 340s.

[jfh]

egad, you softies with your Monogrips. You might as well buy that 2" belt so well-demonstrated for packing, and then put a Kydex holder on it for your j-frames.

Meanwhile, I have a bunch of FBI replica reloads, and the (retail) store / range is having a big event this weekend--so it is NOT the time to try some more testing. If you try 6.8 gr. of SR-4756 in a 357 case under the Speer 158-grLSWC-HP, you too can pack your 340 anywhere you want to.

Jim H.

[19-3Ben]

Why does the guy in the video keep grabbing his junk? it was funny for the first 2 minutes, but then got kind of annoying and I turned it off.
That was one hell of a big heavy belt.