Uhh... I think it's broken

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dagerv

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So I proceeded yesterday to practice shooting and drawing out of my pocket my S&W 340 M&P with snap caps. However after about ten snaps in a row the trigger felt really light and the firing pin was not striking the snap caps. This was in addition to a small rattling sound from the frame. I have emailed S&W but will not hear from them until Monday sometime. What the heck!?!

P.S. This gun has been sent to them twice already.
 
transfer bar went kaput. the lesser trigger pull is prolly from not having to engage it. Part of it is now hiding in the guts of your revolver.
 
Sending it back was the right thing to do. Add a note along with gun &let them know how many times it has been back. Might be time to replaced it, I would bring it up aleast then they might. You never know!
 
Oops. Sounds like something broke in there for sure. What else did you have to send that gun back for?? :uhoh:

I have a 629 (.44 mag) that had charge holes in the cylinder drilled out of spec. Spent brass would get stuck against the frame and bind the cylinder up. Took two tries for S&W to fix it. It's pretty annoying to send a gun in and have it sent back to you with no work done on it only with a note saying nothing is wrong. :mad:
 
Sorry to hear that Diggers. First time after a thorough cleaning the bore appeared to have a dent in it. A brand new gun shouldn't have that so I sent it in and they replaced the barrel.
Second time the front of the cylinder was becoming scuffed with marks from the barrel. I was told by them that it was endshake and sent it in.

Now this time the gun is actually out of commission for awhile. With all that being said I haven't even had the gun for one year.
 
Wow...that sucks!

I have a new 340 M&P no lock...and haven't had any problems....yet!

Of course, I haven't really used it too much yet....

Please keep us posted, because it is always educational as to what the problem was, and how customer service worked out for you.

It is a major hassle when expensive things do not work as advertised!
(especially when they are designed to save your life!)
 
I'll definitely let you guys know how this works out. Wheely mine has no lock either that's why I really had to have it. You know other than the times I've sent it back I'd say it's the best pocket gun I've had.
 
Great diagnosis, except that S&W's don't have transfer bars and the hammerless models don't have hammer blocks (because there is no way to hit the hammer).

I have no idea what is wrong with that 340, but it sure isn't either of the above.

Jim
 
Send it back and then trade it for a Ruger LCR. I am a S&W fan, but I have had enough trouble out of recent examples that I am a touch leery. Three strikes and you're out.
 
Here's what I can tell you:

S&W operator on the phone said it's possibly a spring.

I asked if it's normal for these guns to break and he replied no just that the front sights tend to come loose.

When I get it back I'll know what happened to it with the bill-like statement that gets sent back with the gun.

K1500 I was contemplating that myself because my choices were initially the lcr357 or the S&W340. I opted for the non-polymer revolver mostly because of grip width for optimal pocket concealment.
 
Sucks.. I doubt I could ever trust a gun that has been back to the factory three times. Especially for issues that render it inoperable.
 
I would have the side plate off and figuring out what is wrong with the pistol. If this is it's third time back to the factory,,, I would be wanting a new pistol,,, period!!! end of subject.

Of all the new Smiths I've bought. None have had to go back to the mother ship. All have been what they were sold as. If not better over all.

Sorry to read of your issue's. Tell them how the cabbage is to be cut. You did pay for that input IMHO! You paid for life time service and warranty when you bought your Smith.
 
I think I'd be a bit rude & demand more than "normal service" for a gun that had to go back 3 times.

I'm really kinda surprised to hear about this happening to a S&W.
I've had 5 (currently have 2) & had not a bit of trouble with 4 of them.
(one had to go back once - it was just getting old & tired)

I hope you get some satisfaction outta them after having to deal with 3 issues.
 
I guess I should weigh in a little more on the matter. Along with the gun when it is shipped they ask that you write what is wrong with the firearm, name, address etc. This time I did more and typed a letter and shared my disgust for the quality of the firearm in question. I stated that while lifetime warranty service is commendable, why did it leave the factory with so many flaws. I stated that I had paid a considerable amount more for the Smith over the competitor and expected to have a higher quality of firearm than I have. I also stated my concerns for the gun holding up "down the road".

As always I will keep you posted.
 
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I believe in S&W revolvers. I once traded a Colt Python to purchase a Mdl.19. (wish I had kept it now) But when you pay as much as you did for a 340 the last thing you expect is a lemon. I also own a 340 and have had no problems. I never hesitated to fire 357's in it but I may tone it down now that I've seen the photo of the "blown"340. I still think of it as my favorite firearm.
 
I agree with you Phil. Just something about that blast from the 357. I think I've had about 350 ish 357 rds out of it and maybe a box a 38s through it. Mostly the 158 gr variety.
 
I was going to ask whether this model has the leaf main spring and suggest that the set screw may have come out. The set screw loosened up enough on my 686+ when it was new that it would not fire, but the screw did not come all the way out. I now dot all main spring set screws with a drop of blue Loctite.
 
Alright, just got it back today. The verdict:

S&W replaced the mainspring (not leaf), firing pin, and firing pin spring.

Same gun just new parts. Hopefully they last longer this time around. Really wish that they would have set me up with some laser grips for the trouble though.
 
Let us hope it is fixed this time. I am having a hard time thinking what could go wrong with an S&W J frame mainspring. Those are coil springs and they just don't break.

Re: The above discussion on transfer bars. Ruger and some other makers use transfer bars, but S&W does not and never has. They use a hammer block safety (not a "trigger block") that prevents the hammer from going forward all the way unless the trigger is pulled back. That keeps the gun from firing if the hammer is struck or the gun dropped on the hammer. But the 340 is a concealed hammer gun and those don't have a hammer block safety for the obvious reason that there is no outside hammer to be struck.

Jim
 
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