M&p 340

[FLGator]

Thanks DA. Think JT1 tested the Pro Active Gear model 17 and wished it were leather. Will check out the options you suggested, thanks.

[Murcielago]

Just tried 125 gr .357 out of the 340 tonight. Punishing, I'll tell you. Shot 4 out of 5 rounds in the cylinder and promptly quit. In no way a pleasant experience.

[DAdams]

Murcielago says: Just tried 125 gr .357 our of the 340 tonight. Punishing

Not that any of the .357 is comfortable but if you are interested in mastery with .357 you may want to try some different rounds. The Gold Dot 135 grain .357 is designed for short barrels and somewhat less "brutal".

In any event that's why many 340pd and 340 carriers use .38spl plus P.
I never bought the 340 for its .357 capability, I bought it because I found 16 ounces which includes Airweights and the Kahr PM9 too heavy for pocket carry, but that's my view. I certainly don't feel at a disadvantage with five rounds of 38 spl (or +p) in my pocket.

FL Gator. You are welcome. I think jt1 even fabricated his own ProActive Gear equivalent out of leather.

I like the Maxpedition Products. Use a manly looking bag, accessable in car, and out. They have a carry design feature. Just another option.

[Murcielago]

.38+P is plenty powerful enough for me, and I shoot it well. I was really just curious about the .357 in the gun. It recoiled more than the .44 mag. I had at the same range session!

From my years with a 442 I've come to love the Gold Dot 135 gr "Short Barrel" .38's.

[DAdams]

Murcielago Just tried 125 gr .357 our of the 340 tonight. Punishing

From my years with a 442 I've come to love the Gold Dot 135 gr "Short Barrel" .38's.

I concur entirely. There are a couple other rounds I have "approved" for my 340, Plus P for the most part and I have a few boxes of the SGDFSB in .357 (23917) that I would use if I absolutely had to. As difficult as they are to find and as expensive as they are....I am holding on to mine as collectors items.

[FLGator]

Know I don't post a lot, but wanted to let the readers know how satisfied I am with the M&P 340. It's an EXCELLENT every day carry option when paired with the Mika pocket holster. After reading everything I could possibly read regarding the virtues of j-fame pocket carry I chose the 340. It's been great. Is it perfect for everything? Nope. I own pants the pocket carry option isn't possible (pockets too shallow). However, there are holster options available for that situation (Smart Carry). With that said I will assure you there are plenty of shorts and pants where this option is effortless!

After carrying a 'compact' auto for many years it's a breath of fresh air to switch to the pocket carry convenience the j-frame option affords.

Also, the 158 gr. .357s are manageble. Certainly, you know when you pull the trigger, but from everything I've read here I expected a fracture. Not even close! Yep, you know it...but, it was no big deal to burn through the .357s. In fact, I've considered switching to this ammo for EDC.

Can't thank all those who post and participate on this forum in the various threads enough for their contribution and sharing their everyday carry experiences to make this choice a reality. Thank you!

This is the most effortless option for EDC I have tried.

[DAdams]

Thanks for you input and evaluation. Your comments are exactly the type that help those seeking intelligent assessment of the 340.

wanted to let the readers know how satisfied I am with the M&P 340. It's an EXCELLENT every day carry option when paired with the Mika pocket holster.

There you have it. In this thread we have those who can manage .38spl and those who are not bothered with .357. The beauty of this revolver again, is the ability to run it all and effectively. Including the XS sights, moderately light weight, durable finish the M&P 340 is one of the best PD revolvers and I will even go so far as to expand the statement.... one of the best PD handguns available.

After carrying a 'compact' auto for many years it's a breath of fresh air to switch to the pocket carry convenience the j-frame option affords.

Also, the 158 gr. .357s are manageble. Certainly, you know when you pull the trigger, but from everything I've read here I expected a fracture. Not even close! Yep, you know it...but, it was no big deal to burn through the .357s. In fact, I've considered switching to this ammo for EDC.

Can't thank all those who post and participate on this forum in the various threads enough for their contribution and sharing their everyday carry experiences to make this choice a reality. Thank you!

This is the most effortless option for EDC I have tried.

[jfh]

Yup, FLGator's comments are a good, intelligent summary of why I like carrying mine. And, now that Spring is here, I'm going out to practice more.

For those of you who do reloading, an excellent round for the M&P340 can be built up to simulate the Gold Dot short barrel rounds, either 38 Special or 357 Magnum. AA#5 powder and a 140 LRN will cost about $6.50 / 50, even including case amortization.

Personally, I have shifted to usually carrying an "FBI load"-type round (158 gr. LSWC-HP, 800+ fps) from the Gold Dot round--but a super carry round (158 gr. LSWC-HP at 900-915 fps) can be readily built using AA#5 in a 357 case.

Jim H.

[DAdams]

Hey Jim hope all is well.

For those of you who do reloading, an excellent round for the M&P340 can be built up

158 gr. LSWC-HP

Whose bullet(s) do you use and who has the best prices for brass and bullets these days?

[jfh]

with a slight preference for the Speer--even though I don't remember why right now; it's been a bit since I built rounds up.

And, for practice, I just use 158LSWCs anyway--and, my (new) preferred source is Missouri Bullet. Good value, excellent quality.

Jim H.

[stjdavis]

Wondering why you would want the first bullet out of your gun to be a 38 vs a 357? I would suspect that your first round shot from the gun would have the highest change of being the most accurate.

[DAdams]

and greetings to stjdavis.

Wondering why you would want the first bullet out of your gun to be a 38 vs a 357? I would suspect that your first round shot from the gun would have the highest change of being the most accurate.

Is your contention .357 is more accurate than .38 spl? The most accurate round is the one that goes to your intended point of aim regardless of caliber.
Neither caliber is inherently more accurate given the same conditions for both rounds.

I would suspect that your first round shot from the gun would have the highest change of being the most accurate.

There is no credence to this statement.

[PabloJ]

Why is it called Military & Police? Does any unit actually use a revolver anymore?

[altitude_19]

Only for backup. Clearly no LEO walks around downtown Compton with a 5-shot. lol

[DAdams]

Why is it called Military & Police? Does any unit actually use a revolver anymore?

M&P is a carry over from years ago when it described a revolver line-up. It is a "product line" the line now includes revolvers, pistols and rifles.

Calling some of these handgun M&Ps (seems to) rub some the wrong way.

[Mister_Smith]

I've wanted one of these for three years and finally bought one. I've read all the horror stories and heard all the war stories about recoil, but somehow, back in the 1960's when Carroll Shelby decided to wrap an itty bitty amount of aluminum and steel tube around a monstrous and brutal 500 hp big block Ford 427 side oiler motor, you didn't hear any buyers complaining about what a brute the vehicle was. Nor will I about my 340 M&P. Exclaim maybe, complain, never.

I bought this gun BECAUSE of its brute force. This is just about the smallest and lightest amount of gun Smith engineers figured they could get away with when they created this launch device for a fist full of .357 Magnum, the only one lighter being the 340PD. This is a highly specialized, exotic work of firearm craftsmanship and technology, not for everyone, and as long as its limitations and advantages are understood and accepted I see no problem with the gun.

No, I have not yet had the chance to shoot it, it just may hurt like everyone says, or maybe it will not. Everyone I know doesn't lift small car motors off the ground and carry them across the backyard to toss into a scrap heap either, so maybe I'm not everyone and I'll love the "whomp" the guns puts out, or maybe I'll fire five shots, wince from the pain, and call it good until next shoot session! I once fired a pistol grip Mossberg 500, a Magnum slug, one handed, and one shot was enough. Whether the 340 will hurt I don't know but I'll find out soon enough!

What matters is, what a magnificent little brute of an example of modern firearm engineering! Smith and Wesson, in my opinion, you have a winner with the 340 series and especially the M&P! From the way the matte black finish meets the eye, to the Military and Police logos... the wonderfully light weight, the enclosed hammer that allows firing from a pocket, the size, the night sights on the M&P, and of course the potent force of .357 Magnum. Even from the short barrel I'm reading real world chronograph figures of 1100 to 1200 fps and more with 125 grain bullets, not bad for what basically amounts to a five shot derringer. What's not to like about this little gun?

Sure, it won't do many things, but for its given purpose it's a wonderful little gun! I can't wait to shoot it, and if the full house .357 rounds are too brutal for a box of 50, then the standard 5 to 10 rounds for acclimatization will be enough and frankly, I don't want to beat this gun up with many Magnum rounds. I read how Magnums beat up the larger steel K frame guns so I'd imagine the diminutive J frame in alloy won't last long with thousands of rounds of Magnum through it. Remember, this is a specialized gun, a bit like a parachute, it isn't meant for years of eating up rounds of any sort. As they say, carry a lot, shoot a little. What a wonderful little gun!

[DAdams]

Nice write up Mr. Smith and thanks for joining us.

Looking forward to your impressions after the range report. On thing about 13.3 ounce, you can feel every bit of difference between .38 spl, plus p and
.357 even amongst weights in between.

You just need to really bear down and hold it tight and hold it high up the frame. Let the recoil go through the hands, wrists and into the arms bent elbows. I concentrate on the next shot, not what just happened on the one that went downrange. It's a mindset thing. Call it the Zen of the M&P 340.

[Thunderflight]

Just picked up a 340 MP without CT. Got it for 700 and will be able to.use rebate. Thanks everyone for the info in this thread.to close the deal for me

Thunderflight

[DAdams]

Welcome to the 340 Thread and you honor us with Post Number 1!!

Alot of responsibility that this thread constituted assisting your decision. Hope the 340 serves you well.

That's a good price? Did you get yours with or w/o the lock?

Report back with your range report.

[hessy]

I ordered a M&P340 no internal lock from Hyatt Gun Store over a month ago Can't wait to get it. Are these special runs?

[Mister_Smith]

Hi all, I haven't been on this site in some time. I own a NIB 340 M&P andI had a question for anyone who has ever sent a gun back to Smith and Wesson to fix a factory defect. When I bought my 340 M&P I noticed it has some metal missing on the seam where the side plate fits to the frame. Instead of the seamless side plate to frame fit seen on Smiths, there is that small "gouge" or rather a pocket where metal should be, a casting defect in my opinion. Anyway, it bothers me enough that I would like to fix it. this doesn't belong on a $750 gun and I want to send it back to Smith. They said they would look at it and replace the frame or do nothing as it may be an "acceptable" defect according to their quality control standards. I certainly hope it is not and they make good on my fairly expensive gun! Keep your fingers crossed guys and gals!

This is my question, has anyone ever sent a gun back to Smith and when it returned from the factory, it was WORSE than when it left? I'm afraid I may find the screws are not new looking, I may find scratches, or ANY deviation from what we expect from a NEW IN THE BOX 100% gun. Perfect, the screws don't ever look like a screwdriver touched them. I would like the gun to be returned to me as perfect as it was when I sent it, but without the imperfection of the tiny but noticeable missing pocket of metal.

I would also like have the cylinder tightened, I never shot the gun and the cylinder is loose as a goose, when I jiggle the or shake the gun the cylinder rattles more than any of my other Smiths, .357 and .38, which I have shot extensively and the cylinders are tighter than on my new never shot 340 M&P, so I want to ask if the can tighten the gun. They said they'd look into it. I have handled many brand new Smith J frame alloy guns at gun shops that did not rattle like mine does, so I hope they fix it.

So, to those who have sent a gun back to Smith either to fix factory defects, OR sent to the Performance Shop for enhancements, did the gun return with no further scratches, damage, or issues? Did the gun return in the same condition it was sent OR BETTER?

I really like my 340 M&P and intend to buy one more and also a 340PD when funds permit, so don't get me wrong, I really like Smith and Wesson and the 340 series, this has become one of my favorite guns ever. I won't shoot it because I want to send it back to the factory as NEW IN THE BOX, but I can't wait til the day I can shoot it!!!

Thanks ahead of time for all the input! I also recently realized, unless I'm wrong, that DAdams is responsible for bringing this site into being, so I'll take a moment to thank you personally for bringing us this great site on a wonderful firearm! Thank you!

[jfh]

They were returned, following repairs, in as good or better condition in appearance and operation than before they were sent in.

The 640 had both a new cylinder fitted (ca. rd. 300, after overcharged reloaded rounds were shot), and a general "rebuild" (ca. rds 20,000).

The M&P340 had a new cylinder fitted after an expanded cylinder was noted (ca. rds. 2500 or so). This gun shows some surface wear from four years of daily pocket carry (in a Mika pocket holster), and was returned in the same condition appearance-wise.

In both cases, I had no complaints about the work done or additional mars. However, the crane retention screw on the 640, which had some minor distortion to its slot from my work over the years, was not replaced. It didn't need to be, IMO.

Jim H.

[DAdams]

I also recently realized, unless I'm wrong, that DAdams is responsible for bringing this site into being, so I'll take a moment to thank you personally for bringing us this great site on a wonderful firearm! Thank you!

Welcome to the site Mr. Smith and thanks for joining us. I only have 3 S&W Revolvers (also two semiautomatics) and only one that has had to go back. It was an almost new 642 with 150 rounds through it. I bought it to use until my Kahr PM9 came back for a return trip to Kahr. talk about a string of new gun failures. Fortunately my luck has improved with both long and short guns.

There isn't a gun on the planet that at some point in time that will not have a mechanical issue sooner than later....me, I like later but unfortunately things just don't always work out that way.

When my 642 went to S&W for repair, it came back repaired and no worse (nor better) for wear.

After a number of years I still carry my 340 in a Mika Pocket holster frequently.

[Prairiedog]

It must have been 1966 or so, one Saturday I was driving back to KU and stopped in Larned Kansas to stretch my legs. I went into the hardware store on main street and I guess on impulse I came out with a new 6" Nickle Colt Python for $125--that was a ton of money for a poor college student. Until today, that was the only new 357 I've ever purchased. I estimate that I shot about 10,000 rounds in that gun over about 15 years. This is based on bricks of primers. Almost all were lyman 358156 HP with moderate load of 2400. For most of the years since then I've shot 45 ACP, currently in a SW1911PD, and lots of 44 Mag in a T/C, some Blackhawks, and my favorite 44, a 29-2 4".
I can't wait to take this to the range on Monday. My wife has a little beaut, the classic S&W 42 case-hardned, so I'll be shooting 38 Spl. I've shot enough hot 357's and 44's I don't need to beat myself up.
This evening I ordered the Mika pocket holster. Ten minutes later Robert called to let me know he received my order, answer any questions and just chat. Great guy and I hear a great holster.
So far this 340 is looking good...
By the way, I've spent about a year searching for the right snubby and THR was a big part of my research.
Thanks, what a great resource!
Don

[DAdams]

Welcome Prairiedog.

By the way, I've spent about a year searching for the right snubby and THR was a big part of my research.
Thanks, what a great resource!
Don

That's quite a compliment and thanks to ALL the 340 contributors, indeed.

I hope the new 340 lives up to your expectations and we look forward to your further reports.