J Frames: S&W 642 vs 340MP or PD

[TruPatriot]

Does the 2 to 3 lighter ounces of the 340MP or PD make a better pocket gun than the 15 oz 642? I am not interested in shooting 357 mags from such a lightweight! I am looking for the ideal pocket gun theat would be the most comfortable to carry in a front pocket/cargo pocket!

 

[DevilDog0402]

It may, but I don't think its worth the price difference if you're only going to use .38's anyway.

 

[ravencon]

If you're interested in a J frame .38 your choices are steel, aluminum or Sc/Ti.

Personally, for pocket carry I think there is a substantial difference between steel and aluminum or Sc/Ti. The difference between aluminum and Sc/Ti is much less though there is a steep price differential.

Scandium/titanium J frames really shine if you pocket carry in light weight dress trousers--as in a business suit. If that is a common style of dress for you, I'd consider the money spent on a scandium model worth it.

 

[coach22]

Yes, the lighter weight makes a difference.
I carried a 640 (38 only) for years,
then a nickel 442, then switched to the 340 PD.
If you don't want to shoot 357 in a 340 PD,
you can load it with Corbon DPX 38+P,
or Buffalo Bore 158 (non +P) 38.
My 340 PD is loaded with DPX 38+P as the first 2
and with DPX 357 as the last 3.
I tried the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel in both 38 +P
and 357 and they had much more recoil than the DPX.
NOTHING carries better.

coach22

 

[Alan Fud]

Don't forget the 340SS and 360SS -- Scandium/alloy frame and a stainless steel cylinder ...

Click on above photo to see larger image​

 

[Spiff_P239]

My choice would be the M&P 340. While it is definitely more expensive than the 642, it is lighter and gives you the option of .357 Magnum down the road (even though you said you wouldn't try it, you never know). It is also less expensive than the 340PD, and at only 1.3 oz heavier, you get a sight combination that is very usable with the tritium front sight and U-groove rear notch. I'm doing my best to replace the M&P 340 I foolishly sold a couple of months ago.

 

[DawgFvr]

I cannot even imagine attempting to fire .357 mag out of an all steel J frame, let alone out of the 340PD! Stick with the 642 and practice, practice, practice.

 

[miko]

Does the 2 to 3 lighter ounces of the 340MP or PD make a better pocket gun than the 15 oz 642?

Yes, significantly - and worth every penny.

I have it stocked with 38 +P+ but I did shoot a few .357s from it. No permanent damage that I can determine.

miko

 

[jaydubya]

Suggest you fire each one before making up your mind. Before I shoot fifty rounds of standard pressure .38 158 gr SWCs in my 637 (a 642 with a hammer), I have to put bandaids on my trigger finger and the web where my thumb joins my hand. And firing .357 from a scandium snubby strikes me as cruel and unusual punishment.
Cordially, Jack

 

[DawgFvr]

Ya...I'd also have to keep Old Fluff's 5-5-5 rule in mind while testing the revolvers. Can you fire 5 rounds in 5 seconds at 5 yards and keep the round impact within 5 inches of POA...or something like that. It kind of reminds me of the guys I see at the gym putting far too much weight on the bar and not having the ability to control the weight through the whole range of motion for a good set of reps. They would be so much further ahead by going with a lighter weight and going for perfect technique in a full repetition count. Hmmm, not sure this is the best analogy but I think you know where I'm coming from.

 

[FW]

The 3 ounce weight savings does make a difference for pocket carry especially with shorts or loose pants. At nearly twice the price, it is not justified by most people.

Many will say how horrible it is and how they can't imagine firing .357 in something so light. Some will claim their hands hurt for a week after firing one, an extremely exaggerated claim.

Yes, firing 357 is not pleasant and doing so is not for the inexperienced. The primary purpose for a 340pd is for carry, not target shooting. And it is not mandatory to load one with .357 anyway. Your hand WILL sting after firing five shots of .357. While many will be quick to complain about the recoil of the .357, there is a much more important issue to consider. Follow up shots are much more difficult. Again, this is not for the inexperienced.

The 340pd/340 will do everything a 642 can do and more. The only advantage the 642 has is the price.

There is not an appreciable difference in recoil when comparing a 340pd to a 642 when using .38sp in both. Another small benefit of the 340pd is it is a lot stronger than a 642 since it is designed to fire .357 and doesn't really matter too much. If someone wished to fire .38 +p a lot, it might matter slightly for longevity.

Another option mentioned by someone else is the 340m&p. At 15oz, it is more like a 642 that can fire .357. It will likely "hurt" just as bad as shooting a 340pd. What really defines the 340pd is its titanium cylinder, that is where the significant weight savings is. The frame is not really made of scandium; it is aluminum alloy containing a trace amount of scandium. While this significantly changes the physical strength of the alloy, it does nothing to change the weight for this application.

There are a few minor differences though, for example, the 340pd is available with a fiber optic sight. There are also different grips on the difference models, but this is something easily changed by the buyer.

Some will say the extra cost is is waste of money. There are a lot of different carry guns in the same price range. Look at the cost of a compact 1911 or a compact Sig or HK.

 

[skydelta34]

1. I think the difference in weight makes a big difference between a 340pd and a standard airweight, especially for pocket carry. Pick them up, there is a definite difference.

2. If you have a 340pd, you dont have to shoot .357 mag, but if you were in a pinch and .357 was all you had, you are still in business. That wouldnt be the case with an airweight.

 

[cpirtle]

My wife has been carrying my 638 because she's having problems with her hand and has cycling problems with her P99c from limp wristing. So I picked up an M&P360 a couple of weeks ago.

I fired about 70 full house 158g 357 JHP's through it last weekend over a period of about 45 minutes.

Stout - yes
Uncontrollable - no

My hand was a little sore the next day and I did have a small nick in my trigger finger from recoil (okay - I bled )

I don't pocket carry so I'm going to add a 3-finger grip for a little more control and comfort shooting 357's.

If you can afford it, buy it and try it out with 357's, if it's too much recoil shoot 38 +P's and you still have a heck of light hand cannon that you won't even know you're carrying.

Don't overlook the fact that in the M&P you also get the added benefit of a front night sight which none of the 38's offer to my knowledge, so there is some added value there.

 

[PaladinX13]

For pocket carry in lighter fabrics the weight really makes a difference.

As others have mentioned, .357 out of 340PD is stout but hardly the world of pain that's become mythological. As long as you've mastered the double-action trigger (important prerequisite) and don't go through an entire box (imparting an unconscious flinch), rapidly hitting a pie plate's not a problem... at least for everyone I shoot with.

 

[jaydubya]

In my previous post, I stated that I have to put bandaids on my trigger finger and the web of my thumb when shooting fifty rounds of standard pressure .38 sp 158gr SWCs in my Airweight 637. The bandaid on the web of my thumb is to prevent blistering. The bandaid on my trigger finger is to prevent the trigger guard from beating the Holy Moses out of it. My hand does not sting from shooting that pistol. I enjoy shooting it, even with +p self defense rounds, and I shoot it rather well for a geezer. I just don't like to bleed all over myself in public. Shoot at least a fifty-round box of your self-defense ammo in each revolver before you buy. You will know quickly which you can use for self defense, and which you cannot. .38 +p ammunition, such as Speer Gold Dot or Corbon DPX, is very effective these days, even in snubbies.
Cordially, Jack

 

[jad0110]

I pocket carry a 642 and the 15 oz (well, a little over 17 loaded) doesn't bother me a bit. I "know" it's there, but after a few minutes I don't even notice it. I suppose if you wear ultra lightweight pants with no belt you'd notice the difference.

For me, 357 Mag in a sub-15 oz gun would most likely induce flinching after a couple of cylinders full. I'll pass. If I want to carry 357 Magnum, I'll carry something like a Ruger SP101 or S&W K Frame IWB with a nice gunbelt and holster.

Then there is the price difference. Since I only shoot 38s out of a lightweight pocket protector, I look it at this way:

I can have:

- A 340PD

or for the same price:

- A 642 and a decent S&W Model 10 and still have some change left for ammo!

Shot placement is key. Try before you buy, if possible.

 

[glassman]

I pocket carry a 642 and the 15 oz (well, a little over 17 loaded) doesn't bother me a bit. I "know" it's there, but after a few minutes I don't even notice it.

Same here.

 

[DennisE]

Same here! Dennis

 

[340PD]

If money is not the determining factor

I would buy the lightest one of the lot. One ounce of weight in your pocket, or on your hip, IS noticable. The 340PD is one fine firearm. I have found it not to be a problem to shoot accurately. My Seecamp has far nore felt recoil than the Smith. Shoot 38+P if you want, but the 357 option is a valuable one in my opinion. I love snubbies and have a Mod. 60, and a 640 as well as my 340PD.
The 340PD is the last one I would part with.