Ruger LCR vs. Smith 340 M&P

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TXHORNS

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I am looking to get a lightweight revolver for pocket carry. I have shot the LCR and a 442/642. The 442 fits better in my pocket, and I like the trigger on the LCR better. I was reasonably accurate with both guns. I dont like that I cannot change the front sight to nightsights easily on the 442 so its off my list for now. But, the 340 M&P comes with a front nightsight which I really like, so I am considering it now, despite the price tag. The LCR is great but I would like the option of smaller rubber grips for concealability and a front night sight which are not out yet, but I am happy it will be an option.

BTW - I am indifferent about gun locks, I think both guns have them anyway. And I dont plan on carrying the 340 with 357 but I will probably try it out a few times. I may put laser grips on whichever gun I buy but I prefer nightsights be on there first.

So....what should I get?

And am I making too big a deal about night sights on a snubby? This is my first lightweight revolver and while I think they are important on my carry 1911s, I dont know how much difference they make on a lightweight revolver. Any thoughts here are appreciated.
 
M&p 340

txhorns.

I would start by reading through this thread.

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

Take a look at Average Joe's Blog site:
He reviews both you are considering and more.

The 340 is about half way down. The LCR at the beginning.

http://averagejoeshandgunreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Pocket Pistols (revolvers and pistols)

Here is Jeff Quinn's Reviews from Gunblast:

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LCR2.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/SW-340MP.htm

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I can't speak to the Ruger, but I have been carrying a M&P 340 for over two years. It is my number one favorite pocket revolver. If I carried OWB only I might consider something else, perhaps a K Frame.

My semi-auto carry is a Seecamp .380 when the 340 is too big. Kahr PM9 is third in the lineup.
I would have considered a Ruger LCP but it wasn't available at the time I was evaluating. Tough getting .380 ammo these days.
 
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Having recently debated between these exact choices (well, 4 choices--M&P 340, 442, SP-101, and LCR), I came down on the side of the M&P with the CT grips. I fired all four at the range, 50 rounds each, 25 .38s and 25 .357s (Short Barrel, low flash) for the revolvers that do double duty. Here's my reasoning for the M&P in handy list form.

1. Versatility: while not dispositive, the fact that the M&P could fire .357s meant that I would never feel undergunned. Granted, a .38 +P is probably (read: definitely) going to be enough against a human attackers, and it might even be better in that circumstance due to being more controllable in a snub. But sometimes I take walks in the woods; sometimes I backpack in the Rockies. Sometimes I might have to deal with non-human attackers. Granted, in those circumstances I'll probably have another gun (Alaskan in .454 or a 10mm autoloader, depending on how I feel and what I think I'm going to be encountering), but I'll want a backup in case something bad happens. In that case, I'm going to want a .357 loaded up with Double-tap loads. 560 ft-lbs out of a snub is NOT something that a .38 +P can or should do. So points to the M&P and the SP-101.

2. Carry: This one you could figure out in general without having to resort to handling them yourself. LCR and M&P win, hands down, with the slight nod toward the M&P, and the 442 was a slightly trailing 3rd. I could easily forget that the M&P was in my pocket. LCR was close, but not quite as svelte for carry purposes. The carry portion of this competition just about ruled out the SP-101.

3. Shooting: Here, the heavier revolvers win, no doubt about it. The most comfortable shooter was the SP-101. But I, personally, found the M&P reasonably comfortable to shoot with .38s and I could handle the .357s without feeling like my hand was going to fall off. The 442 was comfortable enough with .38s. Again, for me, personally, the LCR was less comfortable shooting .38s than the M&P with the CT grips. That's just me.

So, in summary, the M&P wins or ties in two categories* and finishes middle of the pack in one category. The SP-101 wins or ties for the win in two categories and last in another. LCR didn't win any categories. 442 didn't win any categories.

M&P340CT is on its way to its new home as we speak.

*note: price was not a category of consideration for me. Not because I'm wealthy (far from it), but because when we're talking about hardware to protect my families life (and mine), I'm not going to let the difference between $500 and $900 be an issue of consideration. It might be for some, and that's okay, too.

Just my opinions. But you know what they say about opinions...
 
I forget about the 642 in my pocket. I sometimes carry a Model 60 in my pocket. I'm not particularly large.

The money does matter, to me, because I don't think the ultralight .357 offers anything of genuine value. After a similar comparison (pre-LCR) I decided that .357 isn't really a viable close-range defense round for the little guns, especially because controlled one-handed shooting is one of my criteria.

For the money in question, I could and did get the light .38 AND a stainless .357 snubbie. Now I can forget about the gun in my pocket, OR I have the option of carrying a powerful gun that I can shoot well with maxed-out handloads. OR, I can carry both if I really want to.

That's why I didn't opt for the expensive alloy .357; I got a 642 and a 60, instead.
 
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Let me also say that I have searched and read everything I could find on the subject. I was actually reading through that lengthy thread that DAdams posted last night - good info in there.

Price will play a minor role in my decision. I will gladly buy the 340 if I think its worth the premium, and honestly I am leaning that way.

Any thoughts on the value of nightsights on a snubbie?
 
I would go with the M&P 340. I really like mine, and carry .357 gold dots designed for short barrels in it. The recoild is not too bad, last time I shot all 5 shots in 5 seconds and got a 4" group at 7 yards.

You really don't need aftermarket night sights on it. It comes with an XS big dot front sight, which has tritium and is very visible in low light. It's also great for quick target acquisition.

I have about 500 rounds through mine so far, it's been super reliable, and a ton of fun to shoot! The trigger is actually pretty good once you break it in a little. Hitting a man sized target out to 20 yards is no problem. Check out the 200 page thread on here about the M&P 340 if you haven't already.

I carry mine in cargo shorts with a desantis superfly holster, works great, and isn't any heavier than a wallet and keys.
chl4.jpg
 
Those Gold Dots aren't real .357s. I have some for HD. They are a tad over 100 fps faster than the Speer .38 Special +Ps with the same bullet weight. I.e., not much difference. They're fine rounds, but they're not what I mean when I say I don't think that a 340 is the best choice for serious use as a .357 Magnum.

I have the Model 60 so I can lug 158 grain hardcast LSWCs at full pressure and velocity, for trail use.

WRT night sights: I can keep 'em all on paper (small target) at 25 yards with my bone-stock 642, no problem, in low light. The little Smiths point so naturally for me that night sights would be more of a distraction than an aid, at the distances where I'd use a Centennial.

There's nothing wrong with the 340; I'm just happier with my 642 and 60 combo, and whatever the downloaded .357 ammo will do, I figure .38+P will do at defensive ranges where I'd use a Centennial. And the 60 is no problem to shoot with the hot stuff, one-handed if necessary.

The fact is, any of the guns in question will work. The 642 is even a fun plinker with my special J-frame practice handloads.:) A 60 or 101 would be preferable if you just want to shoot WWB for practice. It's all a trade-off, and price matters only in the sense that a 642/442 offers exactly what a 340 does, as I'd intend to use it.
 
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If you like the 642 better but prefer the LCR trigger pull, find a dealer with a 642 PC. I have seen a couple around here for about 550 bucks. The trigger pull is phenomenal. A LOT lighter and smoother than the standard 642/442 pull.

I completely had my mind made up on getting a LCR over a 642 until I tried one.
 
This is easy for me since I have owned both.

If I felt that I had a need to shoot .357 Magnums in a pocket gun, I would go for the M&P 340.

If I only planned on shooting .38 Specials, I would go for the Ruger LCR... And pocket a couple hundred bucks in the process.:)

I owned a M&P 340 for a couple of years and sold it because it didn't get much carry time, and because a friend REALLY wanted to buy it. I bought the Ruger LCR for my wife and she absolutely loves it. She never warmed up to the M&P because the stiffer trigger made her hands shake. She also refused to shoot it when I loaded .357's in it.

Both are fine weapons and I would recommend both, but my wife would NAG you to get the LCR.:rolleyes:
 
Thanks for that site, D Adams, I found it to be very informative
 
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34o

I prefer the XS Tritium night sight and gutter system to the gutter blade of the X42s. I prefer it to the light pipe too. I have tried them all.

I ordered my 340 with CT 405 grips and it for awhile with Hogue monogrips during the initial trial stages of .38 spl, plus P and Speer Gold Dot FSB .357.
I carry with SGDFSB Plus P, (23921) in a Mika Roundcut holster. I used a DeSantis Nemesis until the Mika showed up. I prefer the Bianchi Speedstrips (four rounds, 2/2 split) to the HKS 36 for carry backup rounds.

P2120038-2.jpg
340 with CT 405 grips from S&W. Bianchi Speedstrip, two BB two SGDFSB

P5220030-1.jpg
Hogue Monogrip and Mika Roundcut

P1270034-1.jpg
642 and 340 with CT 405 grips.

P1010027-1.jpg
Blackhawk Speed Classic makes for a nice secure OWB.

4135_0.jpg

One of these days I am going to try one of these for OWB. Anyone have one for the J Frame and how do you like it?
 
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There's several other points about both the M&P340 and the LCR

that can probably be included in the discussion.

First, a caveat on my comments. I have a bias against polymer guns--I blew up a Glock 20 some years ago. For that reason alone, I have not even bothered to go fondle / seriously look at the LCR--and now I am going to.

As I scanned the Jeff Quinn review, I noted that picture of the LCR stacked on top of the M&P340. Clearly, Ruger did their homework on building a larger trigger guard. That is, maybe, important for those of us wearing gloves in winter--not to mention during an adrenalin-dump at honest-to-goodness draw time.

A second point is that anyone from reviewers to owners are commenting on the LCR trigger pull. It sounds to me that, by starting with a true fresh design, Ruger may have accomplished something that I don't think can be accomplished in a j-frame except by an exceptional 'smith or by a lot of shooting.

A real question has to come up about longevity / product life I know Ruger's reputation for designing for 'strength'--but how will has this translated to the polymer-framed LCR? AFAICT, that's yet to be determined for the LCR--for the M&P340, its been around long enough for me to consider the scandium 357 j-frame to be "as strong as the steel frames."

By using typical marketing / value considerations, S&W has been able to keep a premium price for the 357 caliber. They've also been able to do that for scandium frames. Ruger just may be able to attack this issue with the LCR / polymer designs.

I think that in the standard Airweight series, 642s, 440s, etc. are being built to a price point, and the QC has suffered. I owned a recent build 442 for awhile (before recent QC issues, I think), and I was not impressed. A cheaper finish, non-replaceable front sight, all fine--but the various threads here, ranging from the finish lifting off in sheets on over to crooked barrels, suggest something more is going on. I'm guessing that the need for a cheaper product is finally butting up against a design based on traditional firearm manufacturing methods that are now costly. Ruger probably has less of a problem with those issues with the LCR.

For the past ten months, I've been carrying a 360--the 'cancelled contract' / exposed hammer / 38-Spl cylinder / 357 scandium frame package. Prior to that I'd carried an M&P 340; now I am back to carrying the 340 again. I can now say that I prefer the 340. And, I'm going to go to my LGS and handle a LCR.

Jim H.
 
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DAdams you are killing me with those pics. The 340 is such a sweet looking gun.

I went and played with an LCR and a 442 again today. My pocket certainly does not swallow up the LCR like it does the 442. And thats the main reason I really want this gun. I will have to drive a little further so I can try out some 340s this week. Ive actually never even picked one up in fear that I would come home with one. I will also try out an LCR with the Crimson Trace to get a feel for that. I think that those grips may be more pocket friendly.

Lots of good points have been brought up that I didnt consider. Thanks.
 
3. Shooting: Here, the heavier revolvers win, no doubt about it. The most comfortable shooter was the SP-101. But I, personally, found the M&P reasonably comfortable to shoot with .38s and I could handle the .357s without feeling like my hand was going to fall off. The 442 was comfortable enough with .38s. Again, for me, personally, the LCR was less comfortable shooting .38s than the M&P with the CT grips. That's just me.
Click to expand...

I would rank them differently. Apart from quality and reliability peoples impressions of guns are often subjective. There is a reason people always advise to shoot them if possible before choosing one. The good news is there is not a bad choice among them. I am a fan of the LCR. I have had two different people go out and buy one after shooting mine. For me the LCR points very naturally. What I really like about it over every other DA snub revolver that I own or have shot is the trigger. The LCR serves the role of a small CC snub very well. I would only get the Smith if I wanted to carry .357 and not .38s.
 
IIRC, the 340 PD is even a couple ounces lighter then the M&P, if you want a true featherweight (11.7 oz, I believe) but, it has a premium over the M&P 340 as well. Last time I checked on the 340 PD it was about $900.

OK, just checked. The PD is, according to the specs, 1.3 ounces lighter and yup, $200 more.

My personal flavor for a powerhouse pocket gun is the S&W CS45, but between the options you've listed, I'd go 340. And yeah, I'd opt for the premium PD model over the M&P.
 
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About the sights:
The M&P is the clear winner for me because the front sight is a Big dot and the notch in the rear has been rounded into a larger U shape.

The Ruger is very interesting to me, but even if they come out with a big dot for it the rear notch still seems very small.
 
re: M&P340 vs 340PD price delta

I think the actual retail price between the two isn't going to be south of $100. Buds has the M&P340CT for a little over $900 ($901--non CT version of the M&P is listed as $701 but out of stock), and it has the 340PD without the CTs for $780 or so. You can find the 405 CTs online for $198 plus shipping. So you'd end up spending about $900+fees on a M&P with CTs or ~$980+fees on a 340PD.

Personally, I liked the steel cylinder. Some people swear the Ti cylinder is great, but I'd rather not worry about it.

Hook 'em.
 
I never thought the day would come where I would be drooling over lightweight snubby revolvers. That day is now here. I need to find some to play with around here.

And to Loki7154, right back at ya!
 
I think the 340 is the way to go. It has better sights, more grip options, and a proven design, plus, if one is a masochist, one can shoot full power magnums from a 340 in addition to all the ammunition that can be fired from a LCR . The only real negative for the 340 is, IMO, the internal lock. Being one of those folks who experienced an IL failure, I don't trust them at all. However, I removed the IL from my one current IL revolver, and I'd be willing to do that from the 340 as well if and when I get one. Since the LCR also has an IL, it doesn't even get the advantage there.

Looks are about the last thing I worry about when it comes to defense guns, but the 340 has a classic and very smooth look. The LCR, IMO, is even uglier than the Russian Nagant revolver.
 
Landric, could you please elaborate on your IL failure. Just curious to hear the story.

And I agree, looks wont sway me one way or the other but they are a nice plus. If they mattered that much to me I wouldn't really have a decision to make.
 
Sure, I was shooting a 22-4 1917 .45 ACP N-frame with 230 grain FMJ standard pressure hardball. The IL engaged after shot 5, locking the hammer and trigger. It was the only time it happened, but once was enough. My one IL revolver no longer has the parts necessary for the IL to function, and its been 100% since.
 
Bought one!!

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I went and played with a 340 M&P today and took it home, just as I expected. I hardly ever see the OP respond with pics of their new purchase so here is my new toy. To spice it up I threw in another carry gun too!
 

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Nice Pair

Now don't hurt anyone with that laser!!:evil::rolleyes:

Congrats, hope the 340 lives up to your expectations. One of these days I am going to add another M&P (semiauto) to my lineup.
 
Be patient Landric, I hear lock free 640's are currently in production, and there is a rumor of lock freeM&P 340's as well.

I will bet on Safety Wesson's greed, and predict that we should see quite a few more lock free revolvers in the near future.

Oh, for new - Ruger. Used - Pre lock S&W's.
 
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