fastbolt
Member
That's one of the 2 reasons I used to justify buying my first M&P 340. I wanted the enhanced strength of the Scandium aluminum frame. I basically thought of the M&P 340 as becoming a "better 642" for my needs. While I didn't really intend to carry Magnum loads, having the option wasn't unwelcome.
The other reason was the XS standard size front night sight. That shiny white plastic ring is so much faster and easier to acquire compared to the front ramps of my other J's (even those which have been painted). That, and the way it drops into the U-shaped rear notch, makes for noticeably faster sight pickup for my aging eyes. Accurate little 5-shot guns. Not difficult to consistently hit the steel targets from 40-50 yards with them.
The only thing I dislike just a little is the aluminum yoke (instead of steel). It doesn't seem to hold onto lubricant on the bearing surfaces (rings) as well as the steel guns and my 642's (stainless yokes) under a lot of shooting heat and repeated range sessions. Nothing that can't be resolved, though.
The Ti/Sc/PD and M&P 340/360's do carry nice and light, though, don't they?
