M&p 340

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Msrp?

I haven’t done a real good check on prices yet. But, just with the local gun range and Sportsman’s Supply, I’m getting quotes of full retail for the gun. They are also hard to find at all - let alone with the Crimson Trace 405’s that I want on it.

MSRP is around $870. I can get the CT’s online for $220ish if I’m willing to go without the SW logo on them. That’s pushing $1100 even without the factory CT’s.

I can get the 642 all day long for $650 with the CT’s from the factory. For all my rationalizations, that’s a lot of money difference just to say I have a magnum.

I used to get my guns from one of the firemen I worked with who dealt in arms. I think he charged me 10% over his cost or something like that. I got spoiled. I still intend to look him up even though he lives in a different city then I’m living in now. Actually, I have a policeman friend who deals (That sounds bad, doesn’t it?). I’ll give him a call as well.

Just for now, though – where else can I go (online?) for a good price and perhaps get one with the SW logo etc.? I’d still need to have it shipped to someone local to handle it, I suppose. Probably to one of my dealer friends would be cheapest - I’ll check around here to match them though.

What do you think? Which way should I go from here? What did you guys do?

MARV
 
Try Randy's Hunting Center in Michigan--here. A couple of months ago they had a huge order come in, and I believe they were selling the standard M&P340 for 689.00. FAIK, they may well have the factory models with CT grips as well.

Recently, a friend of mine got his M&P340-CT package here in MN for 860, IIRC. You may have to wait, by I can't see $870-plus.

Do keep in mind that in the M&P 340, you are not 'just getting a magnum' for the 642 / 442 series guns. I own both, and the M&P340s are an entirely different firearm--from the scandium frame (versus aluminum) on up to the fitting.

The finish on the M&P 340 is much more durable as well. So, while I think S&W does charge a premium over-and-above what it should sell for as a magnum version, there is more value there in the product.

I bought the M&P340 bare, and added the CT-405 grips afterwards. I kind of wish they had the S&W logo, but it really isn't that important, I think--but that's just my taste.

Jim H.
 
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Hurry, only 2 left!

I paid $605 last fall. They had a deal for $619 and you got a speedloader (didn't need it) and a box of Winchester Silvertips.

The S&W logo can be had if you find the M&P340CT, or if you buy the grips from S&W, but that will cost you. I paid 259+shipping ($280 something), compared to the $220 you can find online. Easy for me to say now, but since this is no safe queen, and I carry it everyday, I feel like a dork having sprung for the S&W logo. Never can tell for sure, but I don't think I would have been disappointed with the CTC logo instead... :)

Wow, I just checked for you, and the local (within driving distrance) shop I use has really beefed up thier website! They actually have the M&P340 for 629 online! Check it out:

https://shop.vanceoutdoors.com/163072-mp340-centennial-p-16121.html?osCsid=adveinmrug43in56o0ect3qdn1

I totally vouch for the shop - very large LEO and hunting shop, friendly, etc. Obviously I've never dealt with them online or with shipping. Site says they only have 2 left!

jfh - from reading your previous, excellent posts, don't you have the 405s (the compact ones, rather than monogrip-size) ??? Didn't know if you made a typo, or I was mistaken.

Also, fyi to all, I think if you get the CT package, they come with the 405s, but I'm not sure.
 
Thanks, FranklyTodd. Brainfade and not a typo.

Actually, I now have all three CT models for the j-frames--I added the 105 to the 442 yesterday; the 405 is on the M&P 340, and the 305 is on the 640. I'll get a photo comparo and some notes up in the near future.

Jim H.
 
M&P 340 Price

I purchased mine at Randy's but that was over a year ago. They not only had the best price at the time, they were about the only Shop that had ANY at the time. I do believe that the supply demand curve has been met with this model. That is I see lots of them for sale. One of the problems with any of the "exotics", scandium, titanium, even stainless and aluminum alloys, is metals prices, metals prices doubled and tripled over the prior three years. They have presently stabilized but have not gone down. Don't expect them too either. Supply is dynamic and today's deal may be gone tomorrow. Don't let analysis paralysis get you. Buy it, carry it, shoot it, enjoy it, and don't look back.

Here is the best price I found today and frankly the best I have ever seen.

http://www.shootersjax.com/p-2119-model-m-p-340.aspx

Model M&P 340 - 357/38
Barrel Length: 1.87"
Front Sight: XS Sights 24/7 Tritium Night
Rear Sight: Integral U-Notch
Hammerless

Price: $615.00
Free shipping. Jacksonville, FL.
On Gun Broker they (this dealer) has a 340 with CTs list at a "buy now" price of $770. Which calculates to $155 for the S&W logo 405s!!
So, I would definitely ask them about this.
I would also not hesitate to make an offer of a few bucks less, who knows, don't ask...don't get.
If you are out of the state of FL of course there is no sales tax, better yet.

Large retail operation so I would not hesitate to purchase from them with a CC and have it transferred to your LGS.

CT 405s (small ones) are available from Optics Planet for $216 and free shipping.
CT 405s with the S&W logo are $249 plus shipping.

Price Analysis

This same place has 642/442 at $380, which is not bad considering that is what I paid for my 642 1.5 years ago. Based on these prices it makes the 340 $235 more than a X42. Is that worth it? Figure night sites on any gun add about $75. That brings it to $160. 1.3 ounces lighter yeah, that's worth at least $75 to me but that is subjective,... .357 capability, hmmm that's got to be worth $50, that leaves $35, is the DLC coating worth that? Yep sure is. Stealthy and strong. So there is my price justification of X42 vs 340 in a nutshell. There is true value in the difference IMO.
 
Step #1

I'm working on step #1 in the process - permission from the boss (wife). (DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.)

I was supposed to clear a couple of items from my inventory of toys first. She may hold me to that, since we're in the 900's with tax, dealer transfer and all.

That is a good price online. I'd like to jump on it, but I'm afraid she might be holding me to our agreement. (The magnum arguement doesn't appear to have impressed her.)

Even if I can't jump on this particular one, I'm getting close.

I have a pristine Browning BDA 380 (loaded with 14 rounds of Glasers right now). I may have to unload that first, even though I love that gun.

MARV
 
Lswc

Can one shoot lead bullets like the LSWC through the 340????

I heard that only jacketed tpye ammo should be used.

What tpye of rounds would you all recommend for the 340 in 38+p

Bufflo Bore?
Speer?
Golden Saber???
 
340CT M&P Price

I just got mine from Randys as well. I paid $829 including shipping with a folder knife thrown in. Its a cheapy.I tryed to find it for less but couldnt after adding in shipping.They are not easy to find as well.That was the other problem.I am very happy with the gun and the price.I have a few guns so the wife really doesnt know one from the other. Thank god.
Pete
 
Busted!

I have a few guns so the wife really doesnt know one from the other. Thank god.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I thought, too. I bought the 340 within a couple months of of inheriting a 40 year old blue Charter Arms Undercover Special snub when my father passed away. It wasn't that I intentionally tried to deceive her, but I was 100% confident she would think I was nuts for buying the 340, and assumed she'd mistake it for the Charter, which I had put away in the safe (nice little gun, actually, but no 340!).

First time she saw it, busted me. Dang! :eek: :banghead:

Oh well, all appears to be forgiven, but I've put on temporary hold plans to add an HK to the family any time soon... :evil:

What tpye of rounds would you all recommend for the 340 in 38+p
Click to expand...
Not ignoring you, Ghost, but I don't have an authoritative answer. I don't think there are any ammo restrictions. I carry Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 38+Ps.
 
Ghostrider

You surely can shoot LSWC in an M&P 340. The only problem I have found with shooting only lead is that I have to clean the weapon more often, about every 150-200 rounds. The cylinder begins binding from debris under the cylinder at about 150 rounds. I reload and most of my reloads are lead only to save $$. Generally I put around 200 rounds through my snubs every week. I have begun loading JSP to practice with my M&P 340 lately and have found that I can go in excess of 500 rounds, or so, before I have to clean under the cylinder. These snubs are very versatile weapons and if you practice with them often, you can greatly improve your own accuracy and dependability on them for SD.:)
 
Ghostrider

My carry round is the Remington 158gr LSWCHP +P. This is the historical FBI load. I haven't quite worked up to carrying .357mag loads yet, but I'm working up to it after about 6 months of carrying this instead of a 642 with the same load.
 
Ghost rider: My experience parallels Brassman's. I haven't shot my 442 a lot yet, but most of the rounds I run through it are 140-gr LTC reloads done to meet the Speer 38+P 135-gr. GDSB factory ammo specs (860-900 fps from a 2" barrel.)

For the winter, I've been carry the Buffalo Bore 38 "heavy" 158-gr. LSWC-HP loads (they run 1000 fps from a 2" barrel) in my M&P 340. That's a stout, stout recoil in a lightweight, but doable if your hand is conditioned. My "regular" carry round is the GDSB 38+P 135-gr. factory round.

Like Brassman, I have been quite successful shooting lead reloads in any of my carry (2") j-frames. It took a bit of experimenting to get the right recipe for combustion / powder detrius sorted out for my M&P 340, however--initially, my cylinder was binding on the ejector rod after fifty rounds or so. Recently, shooting only lead reloads, I went to 125-150 rounds, and the cylinder still moved easily, if not freely.

Brassman: Have you got any chrono results on the Rem 38+P load? I'm doing 158-gr. load development now using both the Speer (swaged) 158-gr. LSWC-HP and a local suppliers 158-gr. LSWC.

The powders used so far are SR-4756 (to duplicate the fabled Speer #8 loads, which go up to the low 30s PSI in 38 Special cases!), AA#5, and Ramshot Silhouette. I won't be chrono-ing for another six weeks, I think.

FWIW, I reload the Speer 38+P 135-gr. Replica loads for about 10 or 12 cents a round--that makes for reasonable practice cost, and like Brassman, I'm trying to shoot about 200 rounds a week, even through the winter.

Jim H.
 
340 M&P shipped today

I purchased a 340 M&P (from "Shooter" online). It's the model with the Crimson Trace 405's from the factory (with the SW logo).

I got it for $770 and paid $22 for shipping from Florida to Seattle. My local gun range guy is charging me $35 for the paperwork on this end when it gets here. It was shipped out today.

I can hardly wait!

I'm ordering a MIKA pocket holster today. I'll hold off for a while with a good holster. I'm still mulling things over concerning OWB and IWB holsters. I may just use it with my belly band for a while when I go to church with it. It should conceal pretty good that way at the appendix position. Of course, I'll have the MIKA soon as an option as well.

I'll be starting out with light loads for now. But I plan to carry Speer short barrel 38spl. +p's with the 357 short barrels for the last round or two perhaps in good time.

I'm going to try real hard to resist trying the 357's until I am very good with it and have become used to all manner of 38spl. loads.

Thanks to everyone in the "club" for turning me on to what will likely be my one and only snub nose revolver. I've chewed on things quite a bit and I believe it's the perfect package for what I want.

MARV
 
jfh

Sorry, but I don't have a chronograph. I have to do most of my shooting at an indoor range and I don't think they would allow me to set one up if I had one. I have to use a manual for published speeds. That's the best I can do and just try to be in the ballpark with them.

How much trouble is it to set up a chronograph anyway? Is it something that would be easily done in an indoor range? I have never asked them about using one, but I have never seen anyone else with one there either. I have been going to this range twice a week for 4 years now.
 
jfh

The older gentleman that got me into reloading and showed me how to get started didn't own a chronograph. He stressed that I should always go by the book (Speer was his choice). He said to NEVER load above what the book says and to be cautious loading lower than the book states. He said to not go lower than 10% below the published load. Those were his rules and I try to go by them myself.

He's still around and I shoot with him every week during the summer months. He's a really particular kind of guy, very exacting, a retired electical engineer, a really good shooter, and also Godfather to my older son. I always listen to what he says, not that I agree with everything I hear, but he is usually pretty on-the-ball, if you know what I mean. I have a lot of respect for him.
 
Welcome

Marvin Knox-

Alright. You made it happen. Glad Shooters were able to come through for you. That is a good price.
Did you have to sell the BDA?

jfh-

Thanks for the excellent CT comparison and for cross pollinating the X42 Club. Do you find the 305s too long on the 340 for pocket carry in the Mika or do they work in most to all pockets. I like the 405s but still miss the full grip of the Hogue Mongrips. If the 305s would work in 90% of my pockets that would probably convince me to get a set and carry the Seecamp 380 in the shallow pocket situations.

My wife being an elementary teacher has a pretty good eye for different shapes and colors. :rolleyes: and although I have run some through the internal system covertly I think she may have figured it out. I won't say I'm busted but I think she is on to me. Time to switch over a shotgun or carbines :D for awhile.
 
DAdams:

Thank you for the thank you.

I find the CT-305s too long for pocket carry--but I really haven't tried them on my M&P 340, except for about one week when it was new. As for them on the 640--it is do-able, at least with my jeans with oversized pockets. The 1/4" shorter barrel on the 340 may make a big-enough difference on other pants, but I doubt it.

I guess my opinions have evolved into saying a boot grip is the one for pocket carry, at least if rapid deployment is at all a concern.

Jim H.
 
D Adams,

Yes, I think it was a good price considering the CT's and all. Even if it wasn't rock bottom, I figured that I'd better jump on it. There just aren't many M&P's around yet-let alone with factory CT's.

But I do think it was a very good price. My local guy treated me right also.

Unfortunately the 380 is no longer with me (that was quick). As a matter of fact - the only handgun I'll have now is the 340 M&P. That's OK. I really looked things over for some time before my purchase and this seemed like the only way to go.

One factor that perhaps others haven't considered much is the ability to practice at home with no ammo expenditure. Ammo is getting pretty high and the trips to the range are farther apart because of it. With the laser, one can practice pulling the trigger (with snap caps just to be safe for the gun.) Any deviation as you pull the trigger becomes apparent and one can practice, practice, practice until the laser dot doesn't move when the trigger breaks.

This wouldn't be possible with an automatic without continually cocking the pistol and reinserting a snap cap. With the revolver, one can put 5 snap caps in it and squeeze til your heart's content.

I realize that nothing completely takes the place of live ammo - but it goes a long way toward being proficient. And then there's drawing and firing over and over again not to mention firing without looking out over the sights etc.

Of course, I wanted the snubby anyway so these are just bonuses.

I really feel that the laser will be a very big aid to me (and my wife, should she decide to try it).

There may be easier guns to conceal out there - but none with all these factors going for it. (I can't forget the macho 357 magnum factor either.)

All in all, I'm very happy with my choice - I think it will do the trick for me for the rest of my life (I'm in my 60's now).


Pictures may follow. I'm sure everyone knows what these things look like by now. But perhaps some concealed carry pictures will follow in time.

MARV
 
Again Marv

Congrats and yeah we all know what the 340 looks like but....:D

youforgottopostpicturesofyourwea-1.gif

Yes, of course, you need to get your hands on it first.
 
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I Did it!!!

Well, after following this thread since the begining, I finally couldn't take it anymore. I went out yesterday and purchased a 360 M&P. I have come full circle with this type of weapon. I used to have a 360 PD, and like an idiot, I sold it about 1 year ago! Why did I sell it you ask? Like many of you, I am on the eternal quest of finding the perfect carry set up. I am looking for a set up that is easy to conceal, relatively comfortable all day, and shoots big enough holes! I had settled on a glock 26 and a glock 30 for daily carry (my wife has commendeered my g26). I carry the g30 in a RM Lowrider IWB holster. This is a great setup, and I LOVE having 11 rounds of .45 on tap. At first, I wore the setup all day until I went to bed. However, I have problems concealing at church, out to dinner, and other events where I prefer not to have an untucked shirt. Keep in mind, I live in Florida, so wearing jackets and other cover garments is not usually possible without sweating through them! Also, if I was sitting at my desk a home, I would take the rig off because it would start to get uncomfortable. I have found myself in many instances where I just flat out did not feel like puting the rig on and hauling it around. So the bottom line is: I have not been "packing" everywhere I go. I do not like this.

I love carrying the glock. However, it is just enough of a pain in the but that sometimes, I just don't throw it on my belt. My new 360 M&P solves all of the issues I have with carrying the glocks! When I had my 360 PD, I simply put it in my pocket at the begining of the day, and forgot about it. It is so light and comfortable to carry, there is simply no excuse to be anywhere without a firearm. And that is exactly what I am looking for. So, after following this thread forever, the other night I gave my wife the speech of how I believe I have found the perfect carry setup, AGAIN!!! Of course she rolled her eyes at me and said I give this same speech every 6 months or so. I am lucky that she likes firearms about as much as I do!

When I got home yesterday, a new set of Crimson trace 305's were waiting in the mail for my new gun (yes I am a dork and sprung the extra $'s just to have the S&W logos on the grips). I LOVE these grips and had them on my PD. I have tried the 405's, and didn't like them as much. I really, really, really like the fact that I can get a full grip with the 305s. This makes shooting the beast much more tolerable. I can personally conceal the 305s in a pocket, almost as good as the 405s. I wear the Columbia shorts (that DAdams showed a few pages back) with the hidden front pocket. These are awesome shorts and work out very well for concealed carry. They also make full length pants in this style. I can also conceal them in the front pocket of my Levis. I will tell you that in the jeans, I must cut the bottom off of the Uncle Mikes holster so the weapon will sit far enough down in the pocket. I have found that sitting the gun in other holsters, pushes it up in the pocket by at least 1 inch. If you are willing to alter the holster, the 360 M&P will sit lower in the pocket, and for me, allows me to conceal the gun in just about any pants I wear. The 305s allow me to get a full grip on the gun, which I feel is extremely important.

I really do believe this is the ultimate concealed carry package and am very fired up about packing it every day! Now, I've got to figure out what is the best ammo to carry. Any suggestions on any of the .357 loads?? I believe I used to carry the speer short barrell .357, but have not looked at this in a while.


IMG_4627.gif

Cutting the holster down allows the gun to sit as low as possible in the pocket. This allows me to effectively conceal the 360 with CT 305's which allow a full grip.
IMG_4632.gif
 
kurtiss

Welcome and thanks for the excellent write up.

Glad you like the Columbia Lander shorts and slacks. They are by far my favorite concealed carry wear. I like being able to secure the pocket closed if need be and that carry pocket is plenty roomy for even the CT 305s; that's good to know. In fact I know there is room in those for my all time favorite grip the Hogue Monos.

I don't blame you for spending a few extra bucks to get the S&W CTs. :cool:

Interesting concept giving the Uncle a shave. That holster stays in your pocket allright even on the draw?

The only .357s I have run in my 340 are the SGDFSB, 135 gr. They are not commonly available although Gander Mountain always seems to have one or two boxes around at their retail store I frequent on occassion and I buy up to two boxes whether I need them or not.

Thanks again for sharing and we look forward to your range report(s).
 
I haven’t done a real good check on prices yet. But, just with the local gun range and Sportsman’s Supply, I’m getting quotes of full retail for the gun. They are also hard to find at all - let alone with the Crimson Trace 405’s that I want on it.

MSRP is around $870. I can get the CT’s online for $220ish if I’m willing to go without the SW logo on them. That’s pushing $1100 even without the factory CT’s.

I can get the 642 all day long for $650 with the CT’s from the factory. For all my rationalizations, that’s a lot of money difference just to say I have a magnum.

I used to get my guns from one of the firemen I worked with who dealt in arms. I think he charged me 10% over his cost or something like that. I got spoiled. I still intend to look him up even though he lives in a different city then I’m living in now. Actually, I have a policeman friend who deals (That sounds bad, doesn’t it?). I’ll give him a call as well.

Just for now, though – where else can I go (online?) for a good price and perhaps get one with the SW logo etc.? I’d still need to have it shipped to someone local to handle it, I suppose. Probably to one of my dealer friends would be cheapest - I’ll check around here to match them though.

What do you think? Which way should I go from here? What did you guys do?

MARV
Click to expand...

There I think I figured out how to quote somebody on this forum, that was tricky. Marv, you may want to check Budsgunshop.com. I bought an M&P340CT from them at Christmas. I believe the price was either $821 or $871 (shipped price), cant recall. But they have good prices. They also offer 1 year same as cash (interest/fee free financing) if you dont mind "borrowing" money. Thhat may persuade the boss to let you keep your current inventory.:)

I sold guns in the past to get others and always regretted it. New rule- Buy guns, never sell:evil:
 
Marv, I see you already purchased and got it for a good price. On the Mika holster, I believe you will you already have a "good" holster once you get it. As long as you wear slacks or loose fitting shorts they are excellent. Not so much with jeans, though. IMO.

Enjoy
 
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