M&p 340

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DAdams, thanks for the link to the great info. I will make sure to search database next time before making purchases and asking questions!

I also think the sight picture on the 340 is excellent. I can't wait to get my hands on the little beauty.
 
Curb My Enthusiasm

My life is such a mess some times. I need to get my priorities straight...I know.

I purchased my 340 about 3 months ago and believe it or not hadn't taken it to the range due to business activities and travel committments. When I did get to the range a couple times I didn't have it with me.

That all changed last week. A buddy of mine, a long time long gunner wanted an education on handguns. Even getting around to this has taken 6 months.

I was in Raleigh on business and we got to Daviis to get some range time in.
We shot a couple rentals, a 686 4 inch, a 60 series K frame with CTs, and my 340.
Shot mostly MagTech .38 spl 125 gr fmj through all and then a box of plus P, SGD 135 gr short barrel jhp through the 340.

I had the Hogue Monogrips on for this range session. I ordered it with the 305 Crimson Trace grips and, have a set on my 642 so I know how they perform and feel.

I am more than thrilled with the M&P 340. I originally wanted it for lighter pocket carry (lighter than a 642 I have). It has attained that goal and feels lighter than the actual 2 ounces in hand.
The recoil with the std pressure .38 and plus P was as expected but the Houges probably knocked down the recoil and improved control vs the standard grips or the short 305s. It is safe to say...I am enamoured with these grips. Alot! Hand placement is perfect due to their layout. No pain in the hand nor web pinch. Didn't have time to do .357. That's for another range visit when I have more time. This trip had numerous items we wanted to accomplish and ammunition wasn't the focus, except a few plus Ps on the 340.

Trigger was smooth right of the box. Does that mean the more you spend the more time they may actually take during assembly?
I had only dry fired it 50 or so times but it was noticeably smoother than the 642 was when it was new. No gritty feel. Stacked up S&W style prior to release.

I know that the snubs are point and shooters but the sights were an unexpected pleasure. Big round dots in an ample ramp. They were dead on and easy to acquire and great in the range low light conditions at our station.

P5210020.jpg

The friend that was along to determine what he wanted for a first handgun...
Tried 686, 4 inch, K frame 60 3 inch, M&P 340.
He is ordering a 340, he couldn't keep the smile off his face and I couldn't believe how well he shot it after just a few rounds. Maybe it was my training ;), maybe it was his skill, :cool:, maybe, just maybe it was the 340.

It seems to be the winning combination of weight, balance, and with the full size Hogues, its just awesome.

We stuck with 7 yards for all guns for his comparison purposes. The range had a 3 second rule, we broke it several times with 5 rounds in less than 10 seconds with the 340. Evil grin. I think I could do 7 with decent accuracy.

P8050029.jpg

I can now with experience state that paying twice as much as a X42 was worth it and would recommend that if you have one snub, this is the one to have. Of course one snub is never enough. :rolleyes:
 
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I would love to join the 340MP club however, I am having trouble finding any for sale! With that said, can anyone help with a dealer and a great price? Buds has them on order but, has no idea when they will arrive. Please help!
 
TruPatriot

We certainly must assist someone who is Jonesin for a 340.

Did you do a search on Guns America?

How about http://www.randyshuntingcenter.com/
Randy's is where I purchased mine. Shipping was included in the purchase price, ground, and 30 dollars transfer fee charged by a dealer in my home state FL to handle the paperwork.
 
I bought my M&P 360 at www.vanceoutdoors.com for $619.

They are about 3 hours from me but worth the drive. They are also running XD9's on sale for $399 so I bought one of them as well.

Not sure of their shipping policy but you can give them a call. If Vance's doesn't have one also call Buckeye Outdoors which is the same company but different inventory.

Be sure to download the monthly flyer - right now they show both M&P's for $629.
 
340 Availability

I checked GA to no avail. Not a one listed. As usual I did see some vintage snubbies I liked though. :banghead: I need to stay away from GA.

They must be popular items.

360 at Bud's but no 340s.
 
I just picked up a M&P 340 to go with my M&P 360 today. It was in the used section and was marked "as new." I traded in my 6 week old M&P9c as I had read too many stories of problems with magazines dropping to broken strikers to rust.

I thought a "high cap" 9 was the way to go, but now I have 10 for sure!
 
ewayte

but now I have 10 for sure
Click to expand...

I like the way you think. Congrats on a great find. Nice to know some previously owned 340s are hitting the market.

That's a great combo you have going now. There a bunch of folks with 442/642 but I'll bet you are one of the first with 340/360, nice. :cool:
 
GunBlast M&P 340 Review

Jeff Quinn reviews the M&P 340.

I think he did a good job of summarizing why we like the snub nosed, J Frame, Centennial, Airweight format to begin with.

He also picks apart the Sc/Ti. Which was a noble endeavor but turned out to be a bit over the top.

The M&P 340 is the best of or greatest hits of the two designs. Where the sum of the parts of the two yield something better than both.

http://gunblast.com/SW-340MP.htm
 
340 at LGS

Looking for a 340?

I was at my LGS in Palm Harbor FL, Take Aim Guns, today and they have a NIB M&P 340 at $699 on the shelf.
 
$680 is about as cheap as I have seen them. Buds Guns in Paris,KY. I have bought a few other handguns since my 340, but it's the one I love the most.
 
Travl4me1

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to the Club!

Tell us about your 340 experiences. Grips, ammo, range work etc.
How do you carry your 340?

Pictures always welcome.
 
You can spend a small fortune on holsters...and I have. Without a doubt, "Mika's pocket holster" is the least expensive, yet best holster I have purchased for my 340. It rides in my front right pocket. You can't see it and I forget it's there. I typically use Rem 125's for practice, and carry the 135 Speer short barrels 357's.

25-50 practice shots per weekend...weather permitting on private acreage near my home. I've made a pretty good little range area. I am equipped with the Crimson Trace Laser grip as well as the trijicom front night sight. Unless arthritis gets me later in life (and the recoil begins to hurt), I really can't see ever buying another firearm for carry purposes. The M&P 340PD w/ CTC is everything I ever wanted and more.

It's all good!
 
pcmike

pcmike

Regarding the "now I have seen everything" J Frame with M&P on it.
AKA M&P 340.


I have not found much information on the the M&P with the exception of a few posts here and there on the S&W site. Even those weren't meaty.

I started a "Club" Thread a few months ago and have tried to accumulate information when I run across it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=282173

There have been some gun magazine reviews but I haven't seen them.

I purchased it NIB with CT 405s. $779 included shipping. Plus $25 for FFL.
Same dealer had it w/o the CTs for $599 including shipping.
At the time Bud's was at $603 plus shipping.

I saw an advertisement for it on GunsAmerica.
http://www.randyshuntingcenter.com/
Through this dealer in MI. Good service, no issues. Would purchase from them again.

I rotate carry it with a 642 w/CT405s. The reason? Right now I have Hogue Monogrips on it. This form factor won't work in shallow pockets, so I grab the 642 in the Mika.

I am also getting used to my first IWB carry holster with the Hogues. Eventually I will put the CTs back on.

I'm going to paste this in the 340 thread. I will be posting some holster updates and range reports so check back.
 
Holster

I pocket carry 100 percent of the time.....thought is was time to break out.

Just on an impulse I purchased a Uncle Mik'e Sidekick (inexpensive) just to try the concept of IWB which is new to me.

P9040021.jpg

P9040023.jpg

Can be worn strong side or weak side cross draw. The 340 had the Hogue Mono's on so it wasn't as comfortable sitting as with the CT 405s. Cover could be sweater, shirt etc.

I don't know if IWB is for me; but I thought I would give it a try.
 
Great pictures Dadams. Until Mika's pocket holster, I was using a Galco ankle holster for the 340 (and carrying a Kel-Tec 32 in my front right pocket.) I find the Galco ankle pretty comfortable, although opinions are mixed.

My biggest concern was being able to reach it if I ever really needed it. I have no first hand experience with a self defense situation, but from what I read it generally happens very quickly with little time to respond. I'd hate to have to kneel down, pull up my jean leg and unholster the weapons. Mika's holster keeps it within reach 100% of the time.

I like and have a lot of faith in my little Kel-Tec, but it took a lot of time and money to get it to function reliably. Still I always felt underpowered with it being the gun I would likely reach for in my front pocket. I am very thankful to be able to carry the 340 up front now- even with dress shorts. I tend to buy an inch or two bigger than my actual waist and wear a belt. This seems to give me just a little more pocket space, and hides any printing.

For what it is worth, and completely off the 340 topic. I bought a M&P compact 40 last weekend. Not even in the same ballpark of concealability of a J frame revolver, but it is a sweet firing small semi auto. I am not a semi auto fan at all, and over the years I eventually have sold or traded any semi auto I have owned (Berettas and Glocks) and replaced them all with revolvers. I don't believe I will get rid of this semi auto. 150 flawless rounds, and it felt like it was custom made for my hand, and operated very smoothly. Even my 95 lbs, 4ft 11in wife took 30 rounds with it before deciding her wrist had enough...her everyday purse carry is the 32H&R Mag J frame.

Glad the 340 club is here! I hope more people consider this fantastic J Frame. If anyone in Middle TN wants to take one for a test drive, I'd be more than happy to get together and let you shoot mine all you want.
 
travl

I'm not certain I will carry IWB, but the Uncle Mikes was inexpensive and a cheap way to try out the M.O. I tried the holster with the 642 and with the shorter butt it was more comfy. Just a proof of concept, concept.

Glad to hear you like the M&P40c. I have come close a couple times to just purchasing a M&P 9, 40 as the are quite reasonably priced... or I'm really hoping S&W comes out with 45c one of these days.
The only thing, I don't know what I would do with it except have fun at the range or use it for home protection or carry it in the truck. I already have a few handguns to cover all those basis, but still I want one.

One thing I really like is the ILS is optional and I would definitely take a pass on it. Multiple grips are nice too and the axis is lower than the XD which makes it more attractive than blocky.

I have another semi-auto I'm pursuing which is taking all my time and $$ trying to track down.

The more time I spend with the 340, the more I like it. Have you run any .357 through it yet?
 
"The only thing, I don't know what I would do with it except have fun at the range or use it for home protection or carry it in the truck. I already have a few handguns to cover all those basis, but still I want one."

:D That's the true sad stories of our lives, isn't it? My plan is to keep mine in the car console. I only got it cause I was home bound for two weeks recovering from some surgery, in a lot of pain, and decided getting the M&P 40 would make me feel better and aid in my recovery. It sure did!

Maybe I am just use to the heavy trigger pull of my 340, but I would be a little uncomfortable carrying the M&P 40 concealed on me. It's 6.5 lbs on the trigger and no external safety. It feels lighter than that to my finger - 2/3 lighter feeling than my little Kel-tec, and a lot shorter pull. There is a hinged trigger safety mechanism, but it would take a very hard and secure holster for me to feel good about shoving this gun in my pants. I'm usually not bothered by that this kind of stuff.

I had such a bad experience with my last semi auto that I swore them off forever. It was one of the first Beretta 9000 compacts. The safety was recalled a time or two, and just junk out of the box. I had a few gunsmiths work on it, but it couldn't fire 3 rounds in a row without something jamming or breaking. I threw it in a closet and forgot about it. I dug it out when I purchased my 340. Didn't give me zilch for trade in based on the reputation of the gun, and I fully disclosed it was a malfunctioning P.O.S.

I've never had a misfire, or any problem in my 340, and I am well over 500 rounds. I pretty much only run 357 ammo through it. I did buy a case of Winchester target 38 Specials the other day for my 642 revolver, and I suspect I will use some of it in the 340 for fun. I am taking a "stress shooting" class soon in Nashville, and was going to use the 642 since I was told to bring 500 rounds! But this weekend, I bought a case of 40 cal, and I might take the M&P 40...or both. :confused:

The defensive load I use in the 340 is the Speer gold dot, 135 grain short barrel 357 mag's. The recoil of those don't phase me. Now the 357 remington 125 grain target load has some pepper on it. I've done 50 rounds of it in one range visit, but 25-30 is really my average. Anything over that gets a little punishing for me.

You're in East TN DAdams..you should know I flunked out of UT Knox once. Never got the chance to go back and redeem myself, I got busy working instead. Now my "continuing education" centers around self defense shooting courses offered by APPS in Nashville. If you ever have the time and means, I highly recommend them. I learn so much everytime I take a class there.
 
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S&w 360

My 360 with Crimson Trace Defender Laser Grip.

attachment.php
 
Mr. D

Welcome to the Club. One of the Sc/Ti Air Lites I see. Very nice.

We are all light weights here. :cool:

Nothing like a .357 158 gr out of a J Frame snub to let you know you are alive. :D
 
anyone have an opinion on how the 135 Speer SB .357s stack up against CorBon's PowRBall? Shootability, that is, unless you have some ballistics tests lying around :)
 
travl4me1 and jfh

My cylinder slid past the frame stop and caused a rub mark like the one on your 340. I called S&W and they told me to send it in and they would fix the finish. When I got it back they did the entire frame and tightened everything up. It took a couple weeks because they close for two months in the summer but it was worth the wait.
 
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Duluth Trading Co. pants for CC, mini-review

OK, based on the comments last week in the 642 thread, I ordered in three pair of their jeans.

One was the medium-weight 5-pocket jeans ($34.50), another was their heavier "F.O.M." work jeans ($39.50), and the third was the 'fire hose 5-pocket jeans' ($44.50).

The front pockets on all three are extra-deep (12"), and made of a material much more durable than on standard jeans. I can easily carry my 340 in a Mika square pocket in any of them. The medium-weights are not "loose fitting", so of course the 340-mika print is quite obvious (to me).

I would buy these jeans instead of other brands from now on for the better front pocket characteristics alone. Since Duluth Trading seems to be heavily-market-driven and works a niche market they might even be amenable to some design refinements oriented to CC needs.

Value--OK, neither good nor bad, I guess. (In my mind, jeans should still be costing $9.98).
Style--OK; work design, not trendy at all. No status here, unless its obverse.

Shipping was high, I thought--$14.95 from WI to MN. I do think they have promotional marketing, however, so one can probably get a good deal if they want them.

Mr. Designer Thanks for the finish / rub marks update. I may just send mine in after a few more months.


Jim H.
 
jfh

Did you try any of the Columbia Landers?
Deep pocket with zipper behind the regular pocket. Great for CC and $29.
Unfortunately in FL it's cold enough to wear "jeans" about two days a year.

Lander.jpg

P7260004-1.jpg

P7260005.jpg

I took this pic with a 642 in a Mika round cut. It won't print even with the front pocket empty, let alone with a cell phone, keys etc.
 
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