What an awesome thread this is! Thanks to all who have participated.
My 340 CT is on order at Cabela's. Being in Minnesota, I first have to get a "permit to purchase" which is basically just a way for the local cops to enforce a waiting period without calling it that.
About 8 years ago, while I was living in CA, my step-father passed away in Pennsylvania. He had a collection of 30-40 firearms of all kinds, and I got as many as I wanted. But knowing it was going to be (and it was) a total PITA to get those guns back into CA lawfully, I limited myself to guns that just had an emotional tie for one reason or another.
As a result, I let slip thru my fingers a very nice S&W hammerless .38 special snubbie. I figured, "Well, hell, I'll never be able to carry a handgun in CA anyway!". It was my step-father's carry gun in later years after I left home. It had some appeal, but I let it go to his brother who was surprised to get it.
But fast forward a few years and we're now living in Minnesota, where it is possible to get a permit to carry with a little hoop-jumping. Soooo, I asked my uncle if he still had that SW I let go past me? Nope, he gave it to my step-father's sister and now it is her home defense weapon in Florida.
Well, I wasn't going to try to push it any further than that. . . .and, so, this is how I ended up at Cabelas looking at carry weapons.
The 340 CT is gorgeous, hammerless, black (and not shiny --why would you want your carry gun "winking" at anybody until you're ready to show it to them intentionally?), stunningly light in my hand, with a comfortable grip. Add the laser and the option to go .357 and it was love at first sight.
My previous experience with .357 is a Ruger Security Six that my wife gave me from *her* collection (married well, I did) after we got married. Having read pretty much this entire thread, I certainly look forward to getting my new toy out to the range in a few weeks.
Anyway, thanks for an awesome and informative thread.