Have there been any ILS failures with the 340M&P?

[megatronrules]

I was wondering if any 340 M&P owners here have heard or know of any confirmed lock failures or issues with these guns? I'm a bit concerned as I'm getting one this week with hopes of making my ccw gun. I read on another site I think the S&W forums that the light weight magnums were the worst culprits in causing their locks to engage due to the serious recoil these small gun generate. Has anyone here who owns a 340 M&P had any of these issues when using magnum loads?

I was going to have the lock removed but now I'm thinking I'd have more of a chance of having a failure.,if I have a brand new gun opened up and mucked around with. What are the thoughts of my fellow M&P owners on this? What should I do here guys? should I just get my new gun and shoot/carry and enjoy it and not waste my time worrying about the gun's ILS possibly failing? To all you happy 340 M&P owners did the lock effect your choice to buy or own this gun?

 

[gentry]

No ILS issues here, but the cylinder latch on mine engaged under recoil and opened up the cylinder with Corbon 125 gr. loads. The latch works in the opposite direction of recoil and can obviously be pressed far enough, under strong enough recoil to pop the cylinder right out. Second round I fired in the gun did this. I'm currently carrying 110gr. 38+Ps until I'm able to try Federal's 158gr. Hydra Shok 357 magnum loads. I believe the slower recoil impulse from the heavier load may not effect the latch under recoil like the 125 Corbon load.

 

[John Wayne]

IIRC, all of the 3 incidents Massad Ayoob documented as ILS failures were with the ultra light (scandium) revolvers, firing very hot loads for caliber. I don't know of the exact models.

The internal lock is very easy to remove; there are videos on youtube if you want to do it yourself. It is possible to mess up the internals, but only if you're trying to force parts. If you're patient and take your time, it will not harm your gun in the least. If you do put something in incorrectly, it will be readily apparant as your gun won't cycle at all--it's not like you could put it back together and not find out it was broken until you went to the range.

The cylinder latch issue used to be a selling point for Colt (whose cylinder latch needs to be pulled back toward the user to open the cylinder, rather than pushed forward). With my airweight revolver, I can see how this would happen but I try to keep my thumb clear of the latch anyway since it will bite you under recoil if you don't.

 

[thirdeagle]

340pd here and no lock issues to date. I'm only aware of one scandium having lock issues and it's the 329pd firing hot .44 magnum loads - all second hand stories, of course. I wouldn't touch the lock.

 

[jfh]

I don't recall any second hand stories of ILS failures on the M&P340. Personally, I have shot about 2,100 rounds through mine with no issues.

Caveat: 99% of those loads have been 38+P, 38CIP, or '357-lite' rounds--typically, GDSB 38+P 135-gr. reload clones (135 gr. bullet, 880-900 fps)--but the '357-lite' reloads are the "FBI load" on steroids, running a 158 LSWC(-HP)at an honest 900+fps from the M&P 340 1&7/8" barrel.

Jim H.