340pd r.i.p.

[J.R.W.]

So this lovely 340PD strikes again. The last 3 rounds of a box of S&B 158gr 357 Magnums had quite a bit of flaming blowby. I also niticed the barrel shroud was loose. Took it home and the barrel/cylinder gap had increased to ..025(measured with feeler gauges). I don't see any cracks in the frame so I assume the barrel loosened. Anyone else have this happen. The shop I bought it from is handling shipping it back to S&W to be repaired. I'm truly considering dumping this gun as I have little confidence in it now.

 

[mr2guru]

Barrel loosened up... send it back.

Little confidence? as a in a SD reliability?

 

[J.R.W.]

I say little confidence as in this shouldn't have happened. I have no doubt that this may be a single example of an issue but I don't want to be stuck with it. Once something (gun, car, motorcycle) displays an inexplicable flaw, I don't keep it for long. The barrel itself wasn't loose (rotationally) but the gap had increased substantially so something moved. Being that these Smiths are aluminum with a touch of Scandium, I'm almost wondering if the threads in the frame galled and allowed the barrel to move forward. Personally, I don't care what caused it. It's a revolver. It should be 100% reliable, hands down, no excuses. I now have a bad taste with this gun so it must go. I'm picking up the SP101 on Friday and if that shoots as well as its regarded to, the Smith goes. If a gun is not completely reliable, I do apply a second test. This gun wouldn't even make a good club.

 

[Dr. Snubnose]

big, I have a 340pd with over 40,000 hot loads thru it no problems...yours.... I would dump asap...get the Sp101 it will last forever....and it's easier on the hands with hot loads for a little extra weight....I carry the 340pd only back up to a pair of Sp101s...Doc

 

[J.R.W.]

Its looking like the shop I purchased it from will take care of sending it back to S&W for me. As soon as it returns, he's going to give me full credit for the purchase price in trade. While I was there today, someone sold a Sig 229 SAS in mint condition, so it looks like I'll end up trading for that. I would like to buy another Smith at some point but I think I'll shy away from the Sc after this. What would be equivelent to the 340PD in a standard frame (non air weight)?
BTW, what is S&W's service policy, do they generally charge for repairs?

 

[chipp]

<what is S&W's service policy, do they generally charge for repairs?>

From my experience it will come back better than new and free.
I would keep it or sell it to me for cheap.

 

[J.R.W.]

Its a revolver, it shouldn't ever have to go back, EVER. The only thing stringing a hair across my....oh nvm is that I have to wait for S&W to repair it before the shop will credit me in trade.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm picking up the SP101 on Friday and if that shoots as well as its regarded to, the Smith goes.

So let me get this straight, you are comparing a 12oz J frame to a 25oz Ruger revolver. That's hardly a fair comparison IMO. Actually I don't understand why anyone would buy a 12oz .357 Magnum but that's just me. I also don't understand why you would buy a 12oz revolver and then jump right to one more than twice it's weight. Why didn't you just buy a 23oz S&W Model 60 .357 Magnum to begin with.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the SP101, I think it's a great revolver but it would compare more to the M60, not the M360.

 

[hoptob]

I don't understand why anyone would buy a 12oz .357 Magnum but that's just me.

It's not just you, Tony

Mike

 

[Stainz]

Call S&W (800#) for a free pick-up (and return) to you - no need to 'let' a dealer handle it.

Stainz

 

[J.R.W.]

I wasn't making any comparison between the two. Actually I am. If a 12oz revolver breaks in time of need its useless. My wallet weighs 12oz. I'd rather carry an extra 13oz of reliability. The 340PD was more of a novelty purchase turned carry gun, but after this I would not feel comfortable carrying it. Also, I'd had it about two weeks, the dealer offers a 30 day warranty on used guns which is why I dropped it off to him to handle.


Also, I will purchase another J Frame at some point, but there are a few other guns on the list before that happens. The SP101 was already in the works before the Smith crapped out.

 

[20nickels]

Nobody makes a gun perfect from the factory. I'm not making excuses for them, but you should give them a second chance before you dump it. Unless you just want to trade up for something heavier.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

bigwhiteyj,
All I was saying is, if you like the S&W J frame and decided you no longer want a M360 I was wondering why you weren't considering a M60 to replace the M360, that's all.

hoptob,
Thanks for the backup Mike!! LOL