J frame 357 versus 38+p
- Thread starter WisBorn
- Start date
- Status
mcb
Member
Aluminum/Scandium alloy used in the 357 Magnum frame is expensive. Depending what version of the 340 you have you might also have a titanium cylinder, that ain't cheap either. The sleeved barrel of the 340 is more expensive than the once peice used in the 442/642.
I’m considering something in this category for those times when I can’t carry my EDC gun - so thanks for all the comments.
For those who are interested, Crimson Trace is offering a cash rebate through March 20 - anywhere from $10-$200 cash back. Details here:
https://rapid-rebates.com/crimsontracerebates
For those who are interested, Crimson Trace is offering a cash rebate through March 20 - anywhere from $10-$200 cash back. Details here:
https://rapid-rebates.com/crimsontracerebates
This has been well hashed out and I think the OP came to a sensible conclusion.... but I'll add my personal experience and opinion for whatever it may be worth to someone else. I love snubnose revolvers and have been privileged to own/shoot/carry a variety. I do not find airweight .357s unshootable ...but they are not at all pleasant with magnum ammo. Frankly they aren't pleasant range guns with full power .38 spl. For concealed carry light weight and compactness are preeminent and small differences become big for some of us.(Different body shapes and wardrobes make it easy for some to carry a fullsize handgun and others can't hide and keep their pants up with anything more than a minimally sized lightweight gun.) In my case the .357 snubby has an application for an unobtrusive open carry trail gun (and I prefer a 3" barrel).
For concealed carry make it a .38 and then argue about whether to shoot light wadcutter loads or +Ps.....or if you fancy, a 9mm which will tread hard on the heals of light bullet .357 loads from a snub with a lot less blast. The .357 still wins with heavier bullets but it is too much of a good thing for most applications and people.
For concealed carry make it a .38 and then argue about whether to shoot light wadcutter loads or +Ps.....or if you fancy, a 9mm which will tread hard on the heals of light bullet .357 loads from a snub with a lot less blast. The .357 still wins with heavier bullets but it is too much of a good thing for most applications and people.
Right. I have a 3" 360 M&P. Delightful to carry but brutal to shoot. I wish I'd bought the 3" M60. Not as bad as an Airweight .44 mag though. I fired one cylinder full through a friend's. Hit every shot. Handed it back and told him. " I don't want to shoot it again. Ever."
Ifishsum
Member
Amen to that. Boss bought an S&W Airweight .44mag snubby to carry while hunting, also bought a Crimson Trace grip and asked me to sight it in for him. Holy crap....glad I got that thing dialed within 10 shots or so because I really did NOT want to fire it again.
cal44mag mentioned something about "low end .357 loads". Is there anything to be gained by going this route with it's longer case over a moderate or spicy .38 Special defense load? I reload and can mix up any combo I want for practice but prefer not to hand load my carry rounds.
fastbolt
Member
They lengthened the frame windows and cylinders some years ago.
fastbolt
Member
Mixed bag for answers. Depends on the individual's desires.
I own a couple M&P340's (from the early production run and then a later one w/o the ILS). I also own a pair of 642-1's, a 37DAO (made on the older 37-2 frame) and some others.
I've fired a few hundred rounds of assorted Magnum through my M&P 340's, but it's not something I care to do very often. I really only did it for the first couple of qual sessions to demonstrate a point to the other instructors. I also wanted to check some assorted Magnum loads for signs of bullet pull, and to compare the felt recoil using various bullet weights. I much prefer to shoot standard pressure and +P loads through them. (The bulk of my subsequent training/drills and quals have been done using various +P loads which I like to carry.)
Now, if it were me ....
While I'd not have much concern carrying one of my M&P 340's (using either +P or Magnum loads) for smaller feral animal threats like wild dogs, coyotes or mountain lions, I'd much prefer to carry one of my regular sized Magnum revolvers (.357 or .44) for something like bears, even the smaller bears we have here in CA. More controllability, for one thing, which can be quite handy if you're running a rapid shot string against some moving (toward you), thick skinned feral threat. For another thing, the longer barrels can add a bit more velocity, which might be handy, as well.
Sure, I used to carry an older SP101 2.25" DAO for some backwoods jaunts, which was much easier to control (due to its all -steel weight and Quad Porting, which MagNaPort wanted me to try, compared to their regular dual porting back then) but that wasn't in bear country. It was just a bit shorter and lighter than my 4" Magnum revolvers.
While I no longer own that nicely done SP101DAO (my brother finally talked me into transferring it to him), if I were going to look for a short barreled 5-shot snub to carry as a backwoods gun, I'd look at either a 3" version of the SP101, or a S&W M60 with a 3" barrel. Light on the hip, but all-steel to help with recoil management, and a little more barrel to help get some more potential oomph from the Magnum rounds.
Now, for everyday pocket holster options the 442/642's are pretty hard to beat. Shooting them with +P, however, is going to demand more of you. It's still not what most folks would call pleasant, especially if you use grip stocks that are more conducive to concealment.
I really only bought my M&P 340's because I looked at them as sort of "improved" 642's, meaning stronger Scandium aluminum frames, a blackened PVD stainless cylinder and better sights (XS front night sight). I'd have bought them if they'd have only been chambered in .38SPL +P.
(Comes to that, I vaguely remember when S&W briefly offered a version of the M&P 340 for purchase by LAPD cops, which only had a .38SPL cylinder, but I can't remember the model number.)I like my M&P 340's. I also like my 642-1's ... older 649 Bodyguard, 37-2DAO, etc. They're nicely carried in pocket holsters. The slightly longer barreled all-steel 5-shot .357's are handy belt guns, though.
Last edited:
Jakemedic
Member
My 340pd is am excellent pocket gun. Carry often, shoot only to be proficient. 5 rounds of ammo weighs the same as the gun. Amazing firearm, well built and easy to carry. I have qualified with it for years (although 25 yards is a bit tough). Then again, I still shoot .40 cal, not afraid of the recoil.
Attachments
P5 Guy
Member
Just my opinion, but Smith&Wesson's biggest mistake was making the 'J' frame a 357MAG. Even the all steel 'J' frames.
sr1971
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2020
- Messages
- 146
I like my Model 360 and it has the stainless unfluted cylinder to add some heft. I think it was $499 online last year. I ditched the FDE colored banana grip and threw on some new old stock Uncle Mike's and it's good to go. At 25 yards I can cover the pattern with my hand after rapid fire. It's seen a few hundred full house factory loads from 110-147 grain and a few hundred more of 38 +p+ before being rotated into my daily. Carries well and is accurate for minute of bad guy.
GunnyUSMC
Member
Our new member, sr1971, is actually Jerry Miculek.
sr1971
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2020
- Messages
- 146
Gunny, I wasn't trying to toot a horn of any kind. To each their own as far as recoil management and what works for them. Thanks for the laugh though, I really needed that today!
sr1971
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2020
- Messages
- 146
GunnyUSMC
Member
I meet Jerry back in 1988 in Baker LA. at the indoor firing range called, The Range. Every Monday and Wednesday night the guys that shot competition in the area would go there to practice. Depending on the match that would be coming up is what we would shoot.
Jerry always shot his N frame 357 magnum, can’t remember if it was a Model 27 or 28. This was back before he went to work for S&W.
Watching him shoot was always amazing.
Jerry always shot his N frame 357 magnum, can’t remember if it was a Model 27 or 28. This was back before he went to work for S&W.
Watching him shoot was always amazing.
sr1971
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2020
- Messages
- 146
That would have been a sight for certain. I'm sure that will be a long fond memory. I've been a fan of his ability and calm demeanor since I was a teen. He's a cornerstone for target shooting over the decades for certain. Brings a whole new meaning to bench racing putting a firearm in his hands.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked