M&p 340

[mp340dude]

Howdy all. Found this site when looking for M&P340 info. Went into the local gunstore with a laundry list and walked out with this model. It just looked right and felt right. Straight away to the range. Loaded up Federal 158gr JHP. Let em fly. From the waste at 5 yards all center of mass at about 5 inch spread, rapid fire. Had to stop a minute and rub my hand. (literaly 60 secs) Then put some .38 special gold dot +p's in it and repeated the same method with a slightly better group spread. Yes I am carrying it with the Gold Dots but I am looking for a better .357 load. Any suggestions that isn't a bear load?

Regards

[911Boss]

I am carrying Double Tap 125gr Gold dots. Heard good things about them and already had a box for my wife's Ruger SP101.

Certainly feel the difference, but it is still bearable to shoot.

Haven't compared them with anything else in the M&P340, so don't if they are better or worse than other loads.

[FranklyTodd]

Yes I am carrying it with the Gold Dots but I am looking for a better .357 load. Any suggestions that isn't a bear load?

I carry Speer's Gold Dots made for the short barrel of a snub. They are 135gr and say short barrel right on the box. Part number 23917 if I remember right!

They are light by .357 standards, but easy to shoot, have fast burn powder so you don't get the typical snubby fireball and deafening blast, and the bullet is designed to open at the reduced velocity caused by the short barrel.

Here's a link http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=121256 Buffalo Bore makes some stuff designed for short barrels, but I've never tried it (they say all the right things, though ). http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunitio...tm#tactical357

[DAdams]

You must be walking around singing the Chipmunks song "Hurry Christmas".

In the mean while stay up with the 340 group and 642 Thread. By the time you get it you will know virtually everything there is to know about J Frame Centennials.

[JMFred]

DAdams, I carry a 642 everyday so I'm good to go- I just want to upgrade to a 340.

[mp340dude]

FranklyTodd,

Thanks. I am ordering some tomorrow.

Regards

[FranklyTodd]

Thanks. I am ordering some tomorrow.

You are more than welcome - please let us know your impressions!

[Nematocyst]

Originally Posted by DA

In the mean while stay up with the 340 group and 642 Thread.

Originally Posted by JMFred

I carry a 642 everyday so I'm good to go- I just want to upgrade to a 340.

We need a moderator on isle 7, please.

We have members of the 340 club discussing 642's. This is outrageous and unacceptable!

Only kidding. Just doing my once per month check in here. Hadn't seen DA in a while over in the 642 club house,
wanted to make sure he hadn't taken all the club funds and extra ammo and moved to some far flung land or something.

Glad to see all is well in the land of the little black pocket cannon.

Nem

[Nematocyst]

Heads up, boys and girls.

Member needs opinions.

Looking for a .357 snubby.

[911Boss]

nematocyst wrote:
Heads up, boys and girls. Member needs opinions. Looking for a .357 snubby.

I saw that but asfter reading "tight budget" and "Rossi", I kinda figured he wasn't going to make in the 340 club...

[DAdams]

I carry a 642 everyday so I'm good to go- I just want to upgrade to a 340.

We need a moderator on isle 7, please.

We have members of the 340 club discussing 642's. This is outrageous and unacceptable!

The (JMFred) man is unquestionably a genius with impeccable taste in revolvers. Good luck on your 340 quest.

[mp340dude]

If I wanted to remove the stock hogue grips HOW DO YOU DO IT.

I am not much for prying around and finding out leaving amatuer marks all over this new piece.

thanks

[FranklyTodd]

If I wanted to remove the stock hogue grips HOW DO YOU DO IT.

Start by taking out the screws, of course.

There should be included a plastic piece that looks kind of like a "U" but pointy (like two wedges attached to each other). You'll find its opening is the same width as the back strap. Line it up so the points are wedging between the rubber of the grip and the frame, on both sides, and work it in. Others may have better technique, but once I got it started, I just moved it a little bit at a time so the grips were getting pried off evenly. Once you can get your hands on the pieces, they just come right off - no problem. It's only getting it started that's a little tricky, and as long as you use that plastic "tool" I don't think you can hurt it...

Best,
FT

ps: if you are still stuck post, and I'll try to take some pics

[DAdams]

If I wanted to remove the stock hogue grips HOW DO YOU DO IT.

I am not much for prying around and finding out leaving amatuer marks all over this new piece.

If you would have ordered it with the S&W Logo grips model CT 405s to begin with you wouldn't be having this problem.

What Frankly Todd said but I will add:

Don't loose the lanyard post during dissasembly. Put it in a safe place where you will never find it again.
Or you could always loose it in the shag carpet.

[angel1216]

to my fellow blood brotherzz!

i'm officially a member of this elite group! i'm sooooo happy with my purchased today at the fort worth gun show! i traded in my 642 for $325(great price!) and got the 340 for $629!! can you believe this fine specimen for a bargain price of $629! love ittttttttttttt!!!!

[Nematocyst]

Angel, you made a huge mistake.

Trading in your 642 for that black gun
was probably the biggest mistake of your life.

Tell you what. Since I have your best interest in mind,
ship it to me and I'll ship you my 642. Yes, I'm that kind.
_________

As I've said before, I want a 340 for primary,
and to keep the 642 for back up.

I'll mainly use .38 spl +p in the 340,
but nice to know it'll eat .357 mag.

Besides, black is just cool.

[DAdams]

Angel. Enjoy the 340.

i traded in my 642

A man's has to do what a man has to do.

fiVe I had nothing to do with an angel falling from grace.

[angel1216]

I went to test out my pocket rocket today. my hand is still numb! ran 25 rounds @10 yrds. at first i was anticipating the massive explosion, that's why alot of hits where on the bottom . but the last 15 started gettin in the box! (or at least near it)

nem, you are far too kind sir... but i can't let her go! i'm very much inlove!


sorry fiVe! but as Dadams said, "A man's has to do what a man has to do".

[Nematocyst]

I went to test out my pocket rocket today. my hand is still numb!

Angel, don't forget, it does eat .38 spl, also.

Just because it will take .357 mag
doesn't mean you have to feed it a steady diet of .357 mag.

[DAdams]

but the last 15 started gettin in the box! (or at least near it)

nem, you are far too kind sir... but i can't let her go! i'm very much inlove!

Take that target and hold it center mass on yourself. I know I wouldn't want to be hit in any of those places.

You may want to try a drill of say 25 standard .38 spl, 25 plus P, 10 .357, you get the idea.

my hand is still numb!

You may avoid numb hand syndrome.

[Marvin KNox]

I took the 340 into a well recommended gunsmith to be left for a couple of weeks while I went on vacation.

I had him inspect for any damage or potential damage that may be developing. I had him clean and lube the gun and told him to lighten the trigger as much as he recommended by adjusting and polishing things where possible. I elected to NOT change the springs because I want it as reliable as possible for concealed carry.

I’ve put over 1000 rounds through it since I purchased it new. Mostly they were .38 special American Eagle 130 gr. But several hundred of the rounds have been .357 magnum – much of it as hot as they come in the form of Double Tap 125 gr. (around 1400 fps from my gun).

The results were: no damage – no metal chips or shavings in the gun – some build up of powder etc. as is normal for that many rounds.

Final trigger break runs about 5 & ¼ pounds. That’s about as light as I need or want it. The initial pull is, (as per j-frames in general), still pretty stout. The difference now is that it is much smoother through the entire pull. As a result, it “feels” lighter than before.

It still stages before the 5 & ¼ pound break. But when I pull through continuously it doesn’t move around as much as it did before because of the smoothness throughout.

The laser needed to be adjusted a little after the necessary removal for work.

I was especially pleased that the gun is holding up well to a steady pounding of .357’s.

All and all – I’m pleased with it. A little lighter double action pull would be nice. But I don’t want the attendant ignition issues that were a possibility with lighter springs.

By the way – the “rebound” spring is BLUE.
Is that normal for these guns?
Does the blue color signify any particular weight from S&W springs?

MARV

[DAdams]

Thanks for the report.

Wish I could take mine in for a 1000 round check-up. In fact I'm not to 500 rounds yet. Tough when a man spends most of his time working for things and then doesn't have time to use them. It gets carried though and that's what I bought it fer.

Can't help you on the spring color.

Best Regards. Dennis

[kurtiss]

Isn't that the truth! I often get jealous of my retired Dad who has plenty of time at the range with his 360 PD, as well as other weapons. Every once in a while, we get to shoot together, and he will give me the business about not shooting enough. I'd love to shoot every day, or every week for that matter. It keeps getting tougher and tougher to find the time!

[Marvin KNox]

I'm a retired firefighter. I'm working hard on the busines now. But I still have more time than many full-time guys for liesure activities.

There have been a few months when I went several times to the range. But now I try to limit my practice to dry fire drills and once a month visits to the range.

I now only shoot around 75 rounds each time out - 1/3 with .357's. It was many more while getting familiar with the gun in the first few months.

I've clicked the 340 several thousand times in dry fire/laser drills over the 6 months that I've had it. No doubt that contributes to the smoothness that has developed with the trigger.

I gave a great deal of thought to the selection of my one and only gun - purchased for carry. The 340 M&P was best for me for a whole lot of reasons.

I really love this gun. I wish I was a better shooter - particularly without staging the trigger before firing which is the most realistic way to practice. But I guess that will come with time.

[DAdams]

Does anyone use the lanyard post on their 340? What do you suppose S&W was thinking when they designed the feature into the revolver?

If you were going to use it, how would you go about it?