M&p 340

... joined specifically to learn more on "the 642 part one/duex" thread...then I discover the M&P 340 thread!

Great to be here and have A LOT to learn and significant decisions to make.

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FLG, welcome to THR.

Man oh man, you do have some decisions to make.

But you've done a fine job in narrowing down your choices.

IMO, it all boils down to one question : how much do you want to shoot .357 mag out of an airweight revolver?

If your answer is at least "sometimes", then your choice should be M&P340.

If your answer is "I don't need that", then ... well, you can figure that part out.

It arrived today. I ordered this $650 gun sight unseen based solely on the high praise in this thread. I am not disappointed. I was immediately impressed by the fit and finish and how well it fit my hand.

I grabbed a handful of paper plates and a couple boxes of ammo, regular 38's and +P (WWB) and went to the edge of the woods behind my house. I have a Taurus 85UL, so I expected the recoil to be a little bit more than that due to the 3 1/2 ounce lighter weight of the MP 340. I'm not sure why, but the recoil was LESS. After reading all of the adjectives applied to 357 magnum (brutal, insane, bloody, punishing, etc) I thought I would skip that caliber. But after the +P's were so tame I'm looking forward to trying some.

After getting the feel of the gun I wanted to shoot for accuracy. I'm no marksman, but I actually shot a 1 1/4" group at 21 feet. 5 bullets in 4 holes in a rectangle 1" x 1 1/4". I measured it with a tape measure. And the group was at the center of POA. I'm happy!

Update

Well the 340PD arrived at the FLL and I got to visit it today. Man is that thing light! The FLL couldn't believe I bought one of those hand cannons. He said it would take my arm off. I said, "I know".

I've taken the paperwork to the courthouse. (Should be able to pick up the gun next week)
I have my Mika roundcut.
I've reloaded my 357 practice ammo in various bullet weights, and charges.
I've picked up 2 boxes of 135gr 38spl +P GDSB, and 2 boxes of 357 Hornady Critical defense.

Did I miss anything?

"Did I miss anything?"

Yes. Some Rem 38S12s--the "FBI load." You might also find the Federals, but the Remington seems to generally be more available.

Jim H.

jfh said:

"Did I miss anything?"

Yes. Some Rem 38S12s--the "FBI load." You might also find the Federals, but the Remington seems to generally be more available.

Jim H.

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Ah. I actually have a handfull of the Federal Nyclads.

I don't think Federal ever did a Nyclad in that spec, did they? The Rem 38S12 is the Plus-P 158-gr. LSWC-HP round.

Jim H.

In my mind that ranks down the list to number 3 of why I have a 340.
1) Weight 2.5 ounces less than the X42 which in pocket carry is a big deal to me, but that's just me.
2) XS standard dot and night sights is IMO the best sighting system on a snub. Better than a blade, better than a light pipe.
3) .357 capable. (or if you will 100% of the genre, .38 spl, plus P and .357). Not 1/3 not 2/3 but 3/3.
That's alot of versatility.
4) Finish.

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Good points.

You might yet convince me to buy one someday.

would like to put M&P340's front sight on my 340PD
be nice to gain MP340 better sighting while retaining 340PD's lighter weight.

does anyone know the part number/brand and best place to buy?

jfh said:

I don't think Federal ever did a Nyclad in that spec, did they? The Rem 38S12 is the Plus-P 158-gr. LSWC-HP round.

Jim H.

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That's what it says on the box.

help please....

XS sights small dot seems to be stock on MP 340

spoke with the mfg and they recommend the large dot.

so which is better?

small dot like stock MP 340 or get a large dot?

this is going on my 340PD

for joeschmoe: well, well, I learned something new.

for _cy_: "which is better" is really a personal preference, I think. Maybe the best thing to do is to try to get to a gunshop and check them both out if you can.

Jim H.

unfortunately don't have option of trying both small & large XS dots out.

for those of you that's got MP 340 with stock (small) XS front sights....
do you wish front sight dot was bigger?

_CY_: I have the M&P 340 with the small dot. (Go back to about page 49-50 for pictures of it with a 360). I prefer the small dot--as does DAdams, for another, IIRC. My preference comes with a caveat about "aging eyes."

However, I also have put a CT 405 laser grip on the gun, (or on other j-frames) and don't use the sights, save for intermittent "flash-sighting" practice. I'm moving along with learning to point shoot with these kinds of carry guns.

Jim H.

First range trip with 340PD

Well, after a big snowstorm and a brief delay, I finally picked up my new 340PD. I immediately replaced the factory grips with CT LG405 laser grips. I was at the range the following day to try it out.

I brought 148gr wadcutters, 158gr semi wadcutters, and 125gr JHPs, as well as 135 gr GDSB, and Federal 158gr SWCHP nyclads all in 38 special. I also brought the new Hornady Critical Defense in 357 Magnum.

As expected the recoil was mild in the 148gr wadcutters, and increased as I moved up through the various loads. The Gold Dots, and the Federal nyclads, packed a pretty good punch, but did not bother me much. The Hornady Critical Defense in 357 Magnum definitely stung the palm of my hand, but I felt it was very manageable. As many others have said, it was not as bad as I expected. No cut knuckles, no blood, and definitely not an off-putting experience. I was very impressed with the accuracy of this round, and felt that it was very shootable in this gun. This will most likely be my carry ammo.

Interestingly I also tested the 9mm 115gr Gold Dot, and the 125gr Hornady Critical Defense, in my Kel-Tec P11. Not only did the Critical Defense feed more reliably, the recoil and accuracy were much better than the Gold Dot, in my Kel-Tec. The difference between the two was dramatic. I think Hornady has come up with some pretty good stuff.

But to get back to the 340PD, I have to say that so far I love it. I think that the combination of the HiViz front sight with the CT laser grip, gives me the best of both worlds. In low light the laser is easy to see. In bright light the bright green HiViz sight is easy to see. But best of all is the light weight. At half the weight of my Model 60, it is much more comfortable to pocket carry. I'm pretty sure this will be the gun I carry 90% of the time, and I can't wait to get out there and shoot it some more.

This may sound stupid to most people, but is the 340 M&P safe to drop? Basically, will it fire if dropped?

DAdams:--not yet; the snow is not yet gone--and we are now into springtime mud trails instead of roads at the range.

However, the Hornady Critical Defense stuff will be chrono'd, probably one of the first go-rounds.

Jim H.

Anything in the rumor mill about this model being produced without the internal lock? I know they have done runs of 642/442 with no lock, and the M&P auto loaders are offered without the lock. I will keep checking back with S&W to see if they do so.

-Thanks

Hello all,

I've had an M&P 340 on order for several weeks now at my local dealer. Whenever I call to inquire, they tell me that S&W doesn't tell them when they'll ship, they have no idea when they'll come in, and they have no idea how many they'll get. I ordered it through the LEO/military pricing program, so it pays to wait rather than buy the civvie one they have on hand. I've heard that S&W fills their LEO orders before civilian orders; can anyone confirm?

Also, this whole deal with S&W holding dealers at bay sounds a lot like the tactics Harley Davidson used in the mid-to-late '90s. They made however many they wanted, whenever they wanted, and shipped whatever they wanted. Kept customers and dealers waiting for months. Eventually, the other manufacturers made better products, and now H-Ds are actually depreciating! Am I the only one to see the writing on the wall here?

I understand that CCW guns are in high demand now, and the 340 just may be the ultimate CCW. But we're talking about a J-frame here, people! The tooling for these have been around for over a half century! Is the wait really necessary, or is the factory trying to keep the dogs salivating?