Scandium J Frame...Are they worth it???

[M&PVolk]

I have a S&W 637 Airweight. It's a good gun and pocket carries well. That said, I often find myself wishing for a little more power and a little less weight. I have looked at the 640 M&P and the 640PD and they seem better made than the 637. The problem is the quantum leap in price over the airweight models. The price combined with the velocity loss of .357 from the barrel have me wondering if these scandium revolvers are really worth it. I can't find used anywhere.

So scandium owners...are they worth the price
over the airweights and why?

 

[peyton]

I have both model 432 and 332 in 32 mag. The difference is weight is slight but I notice it. I enjoy the 332 shooting but it was a little more expensive. Can not answer the 357 vs 38 portion.

 

[WC145]

Yes, their worth it if you carry a lot and don't mind the increase in felt recoil due to the light weight. Plus they're stronger than the aluminum frame guns.

Yes, there is some loss of velocity with any short barrel .357 but the same goes for short barreled .38's. However, the .357mag is still substantially more powerful than the .38spl, regardless of barrel length.

Check gunbroker.com, there's always used ones on there.

 

[David E]

Not worth it to me, either the weight or power.

Firing a full magnum load from a Scandium frame snubby is something even a masochist won't want to do twice.
(I only did it once, injuring my hand for 2 weeks)

Check gunbroker.com, there's always used ones on there.

Yes, there is ! See my comment !

Saving all of 3-4 oz at a cost of $200-$300 isn't worth it to me.

Even if I had one, I'd load it with .38 SWCLHP+P and call it good.

 

[dirtygrunt95]

I have a 340 M&P and think it's worth it. And as far as shooting it, at first I fired 1 cylinder of full power 357 through it and said never again my self, but then I read an article by a gentleman who said all you need to do is change your grip and it's much more controlable. And it is, you won't mistake it for a 22 but I was able to fire a box of 50 the other day and it wasn't bad. Just my .02

 

[jfh]

I've owned both: had a 442, own a M&P340, and a 360

From what I can tell, the advantages to the Scandium-framed S&W guns is that they are 'better-quality' firearms, at least in manufacturing specs. They are better made, with a stronger material, and the finish is much better. And, at least on the three relevant firearms discussed here, the assembly was better, too. I've found trigger pulls on the scandium frames to be better done.

The advantage of the M&P340 is not really in its weight--that model is only about 1 oz. less than a comparable 442. Yes, you can notice it--but for pocket carry, that difference really doesn't matter. As for having the .357 option--I suppose some use it, at least for carry, but shooting anything more than tamed-down 357 rounds, like the GDSB 135-gr 357 load, is really, really hard on the shooter.

S&W recently released some scandium-framed j-frames in 38 Special--the 16030 SKU is the 357 scandium frame with a 38 Special cylinder. Other than the typical discussion among gunnies about DAO vs. DA/SA (concealed vs exposed hammer for concealed carry), it is, to my mind, a virtually-perfect lightweight.

Check out the two ongoing threads here on the 640 and the 340. You can find some additional information in them, too, if you look. Use the search tool to look on a given subject in that thread, and you can get past some of the fanboy stuff.

Jim H.

 

[Schofield3]

For pocket carry it doesn't get much better, .357 is more of an option for me, the 340PD is loaded with .38+P because it's a ton more controllable than 357Mag. If I had to do it over again I would've have just saved myself some $$ and gotten a little heavier smith snubby...

 

[batmann]

I guess I'll find out how these little buggers shoot, my buddy just bought a 340 PD. In his opinion, the weight reduction vs cost vs caliber is worth it. Personally, I think a 'hot' .357 is going to be a handfull in such a light weapon.

 

[Guillermo]

Shoot before you buy.

Personally I loath a light powerful gun and do not shoot them well.

 

[sigbear]

Had 637 and 360

I had 2, 637 and 360 and they were nice and light to carry but I hated shooting them, so, I bought a Walther P99c in 9mm. The Walther is 18.7 OZ. empty but is far,far,far more accurate, more power and a 16 round mag of 9mm+p HST, Enough said, I never looked back.

Sigbear

 

[AKElroy]

Firing a full magnum load from a Scandium frame snubby is something even a masochist won't want to do twice.
(I only did it once, injuring my hand for 2 weeks)

I had the same experience; not something I am willing to do twice. Since it is an effective single shot with anything other than .38's, you will likely stay with that option. If the .38 spcl version is less expensive, I would stick with that.

I carry my 340 nearly daily since adding C/T's to it; but with .38 +p's. It still thumps pretty good with those loads, so followups are still a challenge that require a good deal of range time.

 

[ArmedBear]

My 642 is flawlessly fitted and finished. I hear about some that aren't, but mine is. Works perfectly, too, and I can keep 'em on paper on a small target at 25 yards.

I tried a Scandium .357 before I bought my .38+P. I didn't think I'd ever load the light gun with .357 rounds for self-defense, and it wasn't fun (left my hand bruised for a few days). I CAN shoot it, but I don't think it makes sense in a self-defense situation. For one thing, part of the reason I like DA revolvers is that I can shoot them one-handed with no concern for "limp-wristing", in any position, with no controls to concern myself with.

So I saved my money and got a 642. Love it. Used the extra money towards a used but excellent Model 60 -- that little extra heft and I can shoot .357s in it, no problem.

I can choose to carry the 642 with .38+P, or the 60 with .357, and I have no qualms about shooting either one accurately and quickly. I even pocket carry the 60 occasionally, but usually it's a concealed city/trail gun for me in an IWB holster, or an OC trail gun that doesn't get in the way.

Those ultralight Magnums make little sense to me. If they were 50 bucks extra, I might have gone for one and loaded it with .38+P, but they're not.

The bottom line? A pocket gun should be something you can shoot well with one hand, not marginally with two, IMO. People seem to imagine that they'll get into Weaver stance in a defensive situation, and shoot like they're at a target range. I think that's wishful thinking that can get you killed.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Try to rent or borrow one to shoot it first. Personally, I found some .357 Magnum loads punishing in a Ruger SP101, which has a larger, cushioned grip and over twice the weight. I have no desire to touch one off in a fleaweight - as I like to call them - revolver.

 

[woad_yurt]

I shot one of those, somebody else's, with full power loads at the range. It was way too crazy; I gave it back after a round or two.

The recoil was so much that it reduced the gun's effectiveness. Also, too, I should mention the acute discomfort. It was just too much jolt, all around. For me, anyway, it was way too much.

 

[the hudge]

I have a Model 342, Its one of the older ones that's has material removed from the back strap and under the trigger guard. It weighs under 10oz unloaded. Loaded with five rounds of 135gr Speer short barrel it weighs less than my loaded 3AT. Now it kicks like a mule and after ten rounds of the Speer +P my index finger hurts. Is it worth the price? Heck yes; I carry this gun the most.

 

[UMB]

I've got a 642 that I've carried for five or six years and the finish looks like hell. I really like it for a carry piece but the finish just doesn't hold up with daily wear. Resale is not an option now that it looks so crappy, but it shoots great.....that's what counts huh!

 

[John Wayne]

I like them simply because they have nicer (i.e., visible) sights and carry more easily. If I had the .357 version I would probably only shoot .38 +Ps out of it since there's enough of an advantage to shooting the magnum out of the 2" barrel to justify the increased recoil.

But, I am poor so I carry the 442. If you want light weight, ergonomics and a good trigger without breaking the bank, get a Ruger LCR.

 

[TargetTerror]

I would seriously consider the Ruger LCR instead. I held one recently and was VERY impressed. Feels light as a feather (much lighter than a standard J frame) but has a VERY nice grip. I tend to favor large volume grips, and the LCR just felt better to me. And the trigger was better.

I havent shot one though, nor a scandium for that matter.

 

[DAdams]

Plus One

for the M&P 340. Hybrid. Stainless cylinder. XS night sight. .357 capable if one is inclined. I like mine with CT 405 grips. 13.2 ounces. DLC (matte black) finish.

 

[Evocatii]

I have really enjoyed the 340 M&P. It has served its purpose without fail. Despite this, I find myself carrying a 3" model 60 with C/T and soon (hopefully) a XS Big Dot or something comparable. Since I live in the Colorado Rockies along with big and small critters running around (two legged or otherwise), the extra sight radius is a big benefit even if only an extra inch or less. What I would like to see is a 3" 60 made in scandium with the same trim package as the 340 M&P. Either way, I don't carry .357s anymore. Just Gold Dot .38+P and I favor the 3" model 60. The 340 M&P still serves as a covert carry piece when necessary.

 

[GRIZ22]

The loss of control from such a lightweight 357 is not worth the light weight in my opinion.

 

[wrs840]

Wasn't there a bunch of posts on this board about 340 M&Ps with triggers that locked up?

Les

 

[jfh]

wrs840: Over in the M&P340 thread, I think there has been the odd complaint. A few of us who shoot reloads have commented on increasing resistance in cylinder rotation (harder trigger action)--but that's been particularly a function of lead bullet lubrication and a particular powder (AA#5) that can run dirty when it's used in 38 Special cases and loaded to the GDSB 135-gr 38+P ballistics.

But, AFAIR, not a general problem with locked-up triggers.

Jim H.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I have a 340PD which is a .357mag/.38spl model. It is advertised to weigh 11.5 ounces unloaded. The first time I picked one up, it felt as though I was holding a child's toy - it weighed so little...

I pocket-carry it every day as one of my CCW weapons. My normal load is 5 rounds of .38+P

As has been said here on THR multiple times..."It is meant to be carried often, but fired little".
I fire mine enough to be comfortable with it, but, I do not take it to the range and put 2-3 boxes through it on a regular basis - I have other handguns for that.

In my opinion, there is not a better pocket snubby in existence than this one - it weighs so little that you practically forget that it is there. While it does have a somewhat "brisk" recoil, I find that it is very manageable.

 

[megatronrules]

I have a 340 M&P and to me its definitely worth the money over a 442/642 for the sights and the .357 capability. I practice with .38+P and .357's and have no problem controlling this gun. My follow ups are good as well even with the .357's,I carry 130gr .357 federal hydra shoks. these are close to full power and they are not that bad on recoil either,although I will say it is a stiff recoil but In my opinion the recoil of these guns is seriously overrated.