Range report 340PD
So today I did some defensive shooting type practice with my 340PD. I set up a couple bad guy targets, and practiced shooting close range bent elbow, shooting while moving, drawing from the pocket, reloading with speed strips, and speedloaders, etc. I used some fairly stout handloads with both 125 and 158 grain bullets.
Here's what I learned:
This is a very very good self defense weapon. I focused primarily on drawing from the pocket at a yard and a half, and firing 5 rounds center of mass, while backing quickly away from the target. I was able to do this quickly, accurately, and consistently, which gave me a great deal of confidence in this gun.
100+ rounds of stout ammo does a number on your strong hand. Even with the CT LG405 grips, I have a blister on my palm, a cut on my trigger finger, and a chunk of skin knocked off my thumb. Even so I was able to finish the day by firing a cylinder of the Hornady Critical Defense, 125gr 357Magnum in a rapid but controlled manner as described above. I wouldn't say it was pleasant, but the shots hit COM, and in a real self defense situation, that is all I would care about. My hand can heal later.
This is not a very good fun gun. Although I had fun, it is not the gun you want to take to the range to practice target shooting. This is the gun for practicing the unloading of 5 rounds, center of mass, as quickly as possible. That's all I want to be able to do with it.
Reloads are an issue. It's the only drawback I see. Speed strips, or speedloaders are both pretty slow. If 5 rounds don't get the job done, and you can't get away or find cover, you are going to be in a bind. This makes me even more determined to get good with the 357 round, as opposed to 38spl.
This is the gun I'm likely to have with me. I've had this gun in my pocket nearly every waking moment, since I got it. I get up in the morning, put my pants on one leg at a time, open the safe, and drop the revolver in my pocket, like any reasonable person would.
So all in all I love it. It is much easier to carry than the Model 60 it replaced, and more capable than a heavier Airweight 38spl. It's worth every penny it cost, and I'm glad I bought it.