This adds another level of safety that many shooters find comforting. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is the sixgun by which all other .44 Magnums are judged. Hot 38+P loads produce some perceptible recoil but aren't terrible. This protects the frame from the flame-cutting effect of high-pressure Magnum ammunition. Posted May 24, 2009. The 340PD is .357 Mag and 12 ozs. It jumps right out at you when you look down the gun. The first was Buffalo Bores Low Flash, Low Recoil 158-gr. All came with the ILS. And those factory but if it was not id go for the 360 in 357. Smith & Wesson M&P .45 Magazine 10 Rd $32.00. Re: Smith & Wesson 340PD revolver. Jan 29, 2020. Editor Dan Shideler. America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter, Review: S&W 340PD The Lightest .357 Magnum Revolver, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Some hammerless models can even be fired from inside a coat pocket or bag. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. However, firing .357 Magnum rounds will rock your world. I limit them to .38 SP. A little fingernail polish and your in business. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. There are possibilities of changing a grip in the process of finding the right one. Smith will tell you That magnum bullets that weigh less than 120 grains will exit their cartridge before the cartridge charge has a chance to completely burn. weight through a combination of carbon steel, aluminum and Titanium alloys. LOVE IT!!! Wyoming Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Deposits have been located in Australia, but are not currently being mined. Smith and Wesson Model 340 The S&W 340 PD revolver takes a classic design of a 5 round, snub nose revolver that has been around for generations and spices it up with modernized technology to make an incredible handgun for self defense. Despite all the damning evidence, the Smith & Wesson internal lock problem is likely not as bad as it appears. I bought one a few years ago just for the heck of it and to go with some new ultralight backpacking gear. If you're going to carry .38s, you might as well save yourself $500 (retail) and get the Airweight for just 3 ounces more weight. BLACK. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. For carry, I go with a light .357 Mag load such as Speer's short barrel rounds (they are just 130 feet per second faster than the same bullet in Speer's 38 +P short barrel load). Athens, Tn. Elite V-Crown JHP. Alaska Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Its features are described in its Safety Hammerless designation. The size and weight of the 360PD make it particularly well suited for concealed carry. Physical characteristics. posted by Toyman 02-06-2023. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Sadly, my Model 60 carries the dubious distinction of being the only revolver to have a total mechanical failure at the range: The top of the trigger sheared off at only about round #1200 through the gun, requiring a trip back to S&W, and downgrading my Model 60 from carry piece to range piece. Operation: Impressive the barrel didn't go downrange on the next round after the failure. Gun Review: S&W 317 AirLite. Deployed military should use stateside address. It cannot, however, hold a candle to any of the hammerless ultracompact J-frames like the 340PD when it comes to ankle or pocket carry. Sales instantly exploded, and the Airweight 042 and current 442 (blued and nickeled) and 642 followed. You must log in or register to reply here. JavaScript is disabled. Accessory Availability: Because the round-butt J-Frame has long been so popular, there are many grips and other accessories available for it. The bright green HiViz fiber optic front sight is very quick to acquire. Estimated Value *Using 80% condition for calculating used Values. Do know anything about the M&P 340 but I've shot and carried my S&W std. Weighing just about two ounces more than my pocket gun, the 340 M&P comes with . # 1187477 01/10/07. So S&W uses mim parts. The gun's design makes it a good concealed carry option. The Model 340 PD NO INTERNAL LOCK is a variation of the Model 40 Centennial AirLite that integrates the time-tested features of the original with modern advancements. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. .357 Mag Power: This pistol weighs just under 14 ounces, which makes firing full-power Magnum loads painful and difficult to control. The M&P340 is built on a scandium alloy frame with a stainless steel cylinder. Home Firearms Handguns Review: S&W 340PD The Lightest .357 Magnum Revolver. I have the 329PD, had the trigger done over at the S&W custom shop. It is a unique blend of metallurgy and features. Thinks for the heads up on keeping the older revolvers. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Add to Cart The item has been added. The frame of the LCR is in two parts. I have owned and carried several J frames revolvers. Spydercos Squarehead. The demand of used SMITH WESSON 1066 pistol's has not changed over the past 12 months. S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. In 2006, the best selling firearm offered by Smith & Wesson was the Model 642, the Airweight version of the 640. For Sale: Custom & Semi Production Knives (Dealer), KnifeMaker's Market: Knives & More for Sale, Wanted: Knifemaker / Craftsman / Related Services, Busse / Swamprat / Scrapyard Knives For Sale, For Sale: Traditionals, Slipjoints, "Old Timey", International (Non-US) For Sale & Trade Forums. The Scandium frame and the Titanium cylinder come together to create something very special. Other than differences in sights and the weight (M&P is 1 oz heavier) they look to be the same gun. I do shoot .357 at the range (in addition to .38), and it is not pleasant, but it is not torture either. It incorporated a grip safety in the backstrap that supposedly would require an adult hand to span both that part of the handle and the trigger. That depends on the individual. At 50 feet the best .357 results were with Buffalo Bores 158-gr. 6-shots and you can make an argument for a revolver over a semi-auto, but not with 5. Some thoughts on the 340 PD: more expensive than a 340; more recoil; added concerns about lighter weight bullets potentially jumping their crimp and locking the cylinder -- so you need to thoroughly test your carry loads. Having always had a passion for firearms, Rusty S. has had experience in gunsmithing, firearms retail, hunting, competitive shooting, range construction, as an IDPA certified range safety officer and a certified instructor. The Shooter's Log, is to provide informationnot opinionsto our customers and the shooting community. Re: Smith & Wesson 340/340PD Revolver-Thoughts, Comments, Cuggestions, etc. What is the difference quality wise between ruger and smith these days? The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Keep Reading. He had an old S&W 357, it is a beautiful firearm. The S&W M&P 340 is a solidly built, purpose driven revolver that covers a whole host of purposes it could function well in. all laws to be followed yada yada. Go for it. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Heres why. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. California Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: I carry the 360PD everyday in my jeans pocket, with a Blackhawk TecGrip size 4 sleeve covering the trigger. If you don t need the ultra light weight, I d recommend the S&W 442 at nearly half price. 0. Being such a light weight, compact revolver, there are a ton of carry options. JavaScript is disabled. An attempt to quickly draw in self-defense would often result in the spur of the exposed hammer catching on fabric and, perhaps fatally, stalling the draw. WTS. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Agency: The green fiber-optic front speeds up sight acquisition. 's blog. Total lock-up. I only use mine for shooting people, not target work. Firing was absolutely bearable with .38 Special target loads. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt! This ultralight Titanium cylinder revolver has seen some finish wear most noticeably around the muzzle but mechanically it is in excellent condition. Another warning in the owners manual is recoil may pull the cases of unfired rounds in the cylinder rearward with enough force to unseat the (lighter and shorter) bullets, causing the cylinder to jam. I have the 360PD version, which is the same scandium-alloy frame but exposed hammer. THink the cylinder is different too. It's a stunning wrist punishing beast perfect for those who hate their hands/wrists with .44 Remington Magnum. The Scandium is added to improve both tensile strength and the finished appearance of the product. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. As pictured, the LCP Max is so easy to fire. The triggers are heavy and stack up at the end of the stroke making the revolver difficult to shoot accurately. They can be more challenging to work with due to the risk of fire, but this same issue presents itself when shaping titanium products, so the risk can be mitigated. For almost everyone, the lightweight series of J frame S&W revolvers, even in .38 spl., are difficult to control. Wondering if anyone else had this problem. Perfect gun for hiking, Mt. At least 8 of those rounds are from the 15 yard line and they all hit the man-size target with little effort, but I do practice often. Check to compare Smith & Wesson 629 44 Mag Revolver 4" Barrel. 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Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson 800-331-0852. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Total Capacity. Steel silhouettes yield easy hits out to 50y thanks to the longer sight radius and the ability to fire it in single action. If you are hoping to double-tap with .357s this gun is probably not for you! These Scandium revolvers are niche conversation pieces IMHO. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: Report a problem. The matte finish is durable in wet environments and I didn't hesitate to take it out in the rain. Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: Smith and Wesson J-Frame revolvers have been popular carry options for decades. But if this gun were mine, Id do something about it after first settling on a carry load and a practice load that hit reasonably close to one another. Its a tough little gun. 14 rounds vs 5 rounds. This simplicity of course, involves the tacit acceptance youre going to be shooting a snubbie double-action anyway. Quantity: Buy now. Is the difference worth it? I had an old retired sherif deputy tell me that, one thing about a wheel gun is that it will never lie to ya. There have been enough J-Frames for a gun collector to specialize in and gather a substantial herd of them. 5. A hopeless attempt at child-proofing had been the designs raisondtre. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The world demand for scandium is expected to grow, which means the price will continue to rise. I agree that the internal hammer is a nice feature for pocket carry. The eight-round stainless steel magazine fits flush in theSW1911's scandium-alloy frame. Prefer IWB carry. The Smith & Wesson Model 640 Centennial is easily the most recommended variant of the J-frame line if the Internet counts for anything in gun selection. 32 years as a deputy sheriff. Mike said: I had my J frame 340pd lock up on me the other day when the "safety" lock was activated under fire. (I) Giveaway ends December 31, 2022. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Grips for Smith Wesson Model 340. They are both pinned sights so the installation is fairly easy. This is a carry pistol by nature. If you encounter any problems with your order or the checkout process, . Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. No purchase necessary. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, State Agency: I selected the version with the red ramp front sight, because it does not have the internal lock. Purchase a new KelTec SUB2000 And Receive A $100 Check. The Smith and Wesson 340PD is no ordinary J-Frame revolver, it is the lightest weight .357 Magnum revolver on the planet. Built on S&W's J-frame, it holds five rounds, and is rated for +P ammunition. Since 1950, Smith & Wessons snub-nose J-Frame revolver series has just about defined its own genre. No purchase necessary. I have a 360 M&P (.357 Mag scandium snub nose). These small revolvers were designed to fire a full power round and are as simple and easy to use as they are reliable. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: In truth, we only have anecdotal evidence that some S&W locks have malfunctioned. Check to compare Smith & Wesson 640 357 Mag Revolver 2.12" Barrel. 253. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Stay safe out there and at least carry something! The Centennial swiftly became a bestseller. Gold Dot +P at 1.75". Contest open to U.S. residents only. However, I still argue that wheel guns still have a place for emergency defensive use and may even be the right option for your everyday carry revolvers such as the S&W 340PD. The Smith and Wesson 340PD is definitely not the best gun for target shooting or fun at the range, but it wasn't designed for that. JHP. I often carry my 340PD in either a leather IWB holster or the DeSantis Slim-Tuk Kydex IWB holster. Using a Sticky Holster will help cover the trigger guard and prevent an accidental discharge. Actually, that LCP MAX is looking pretty good. They replaced the entire gun each time. Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight. Best way to get away. This shell includes an underlug to protect the extractor rod. A 12 ounce 357? Of its many variations, one seems to stand above the rest in terms of performance. i would go for the .38 "J" vs a .357 "J" the .357's are a handfull as some have mentioned, probably the most unpleasant pistol i have ever fired and i have fired some pretty big stuff (ie 454 casull, 50 S&W & lots of 44 mag and 41 mag). To subscribe, visitoutdoorgroupstore.com. Theres also the admonition No Less Than 120-Gr. Super lite 357 Magnum. Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Agency: Recoil Control: Though its a tad lighter than the .38 Special Model 642 Centennial Airweight stainless, the M&P340 has nowhere near the kick of an 11-ounce .357 Magnum Model 340PD or the .38 Special AirLite Model 342. There are versions with either a red ramp, fiber-optic, or tritium night sight; all use the gutter-style rear sight. With Smith & Wesson bleeding badly, influential people in the industry tried to calm tensions and save the brand from destruction, but a large part of the gun community wasn't having it. The HUD Agreement, designed to save Smith & Wesson from bankruptcy, was instead killing revenue. The muzzle can be pressed against the attacker and the gun will still fire at contact range. It has to enable you a fast and easy draw at all times and conditions. The Smith and Wesson 340PD launches the revolver into the modern era with an incredible upgrade in construction and materials. You are using an out of date browser. Products from the Performance Center are the ultimate expression of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology. The extremely high cost of the M&P340s scandium accounts for a good part of that price difference, as well as the highly effective sights. I follow the directions and have not had any problems. Company honcho Daniel Baird Wesson, the legend says, became concerned about children accidentally getting hold of a parents revolver. It took all five of the feeble .38 Short rounds in the cylinder to stop the assailant in the nick of time. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, State Agency: If you want a shootable 357 go with a steel frame smith or the ruger sp 101. The mechanism was designed around a very long and heavy double-action-only (DAO) trigger pull, again in the hope that a responsible adults hand could operate it and make it go bang but a little kids could not. 1990: Steve Melvin had become CEO of Smith & Wesson, and had wisely reached out to a broad spectrum of gun experts. I fell in love with it, mainly for its sights, and ordered one. The revolver draws very smoothly without any hangups. It is still fairly tight. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, State Agency: I have added a set of laser grips. There's a small stainless steel insert in the topstrap right above the forcing cone, appearing to act as insurance against "flame-cutting" from the high pressures of magnum loads. Frame Finish. 340 PD has a titanium cylinder and a warning not to shoot 110gr or lower 357 mags in it. Brand Winchester Expiration date 2023-Apr-30. Th If someone pulls a gun on you and says , Give me your money, you will never get your duty pistol out in time. 25 with my backup mag. if youre going for a snubbie,consider the semi bobbed hammer Charter Arms,preferably in 45Colt or 44Special.Big hole,limited muzzleblast.357Mag muzzleblast is horrendous in a snubbie. At that price I'd buy 2. What 357 or 38 Special loads are you guys running in your 340's? Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: Neither is there on the knuckle of my middle finger where it rests under the trigger guard. On top of this, the scandium/titanium combo makes for a distinctive 2-tone silver/black effect. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM February 2023, P.O. The noise will come from the cylinder. This internal hammer design led to the semantically incorrect but ever-since-enduring hammerless designation. GDHP +P (780 fps) and Aguila 130-gr. Weighing in at roughly double the weight of the 340PD, the Model 60 in Pro Series guise was introduced in 2007. I carry .38 +Ps as my defense rounds. Then recoil is very manageable. No purchase necessary. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: Deployed military should use stateside address. I carried a nickel plated model 442 IWB behind my hip for so long that my sweat wore away the nickel plating. But I sure wouldnt wanna make a career out of it.. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The it in question involved lighting off five reasonably quick rounds of .357 Magnum from a J-Frame S&W snubbie with a minimal curb weight specifically, the lightweight 340 PD. Because 1952 was the year in which S&W celebrated its 100th birthday, the revolver was dubbed the Centennial. A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Additionally, J-Frames have a heavier trigger pull than most semi-autos, especially common striker-fired options. There are no adjustments because they aren't needed. Our price: Quantity: Buy now. Lately, its worn a set of Crimson Traces LG-350G Lasergrips. Ruger has been using MIM parts for more than 10 years. My wife's 642 Airweight .38 +P is 15 ounces. The 340 is chambered in .357; though it utilizes the classic 1950s design, it features modern innovations like a scandium frame and an XS 24/7 Tritium front sight paired with a U-Notch rear. It has a snub-nosed design, low recoil and a medium ranked power factor meaning that the Model 340 PD 2 packs a punch and doesn . No function. Check the attached site and check your revolvers for this issue. It's also a stunning extremely smooth shooting revolver with .44 Special. Ph: (800) 331-082. Low Flash, Low Recoil JHPs. Power in a compact package is the key to the 340 PDs appeal. I love wheel guns, they are sturdy and functional. The scandium frame 357 mag will kick your ass when you squeeze off 357 mag rounds. Michigun Santa on May 31, 2022 at 7:43 pm. No purchase necessary. With a listed price of $849 (real world prices are closer to $750), this model is also one of the more affordable .44 Mag. The fracture surface looks like corrosion, fatigue cracking, and brittle failure. The Smith & Wesson J-Frame has become the most popular small frame personal defense revolver on the market. We can ring steel plates off hand at 50 yards consistently. The pistol demonstrated superb accuracy for self-defense at close ranges. Todays holsters can easily compensate for the heavier all steel J frame, but dont help with recoil management. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. As I mentioned earlier, J-Frames in general are great for pocket carry, but due to the lightweight materials, youll forget youre even carrying with the 340PD. (Interesting side note: the 1965 Model 60s were the first stainless revolvers produced by S&W) The rear sight is also easily adjustable for windage and elevation. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: Deployed military should use stateside address. He has received military, law enforcement, and private training in the use of firearms. Ive had a Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight from the 1970s rebuilt at least twice, once as a direct result of two boxes of Federal .38 Special +P+ ammo that stretched the aluminum frames cylinder window to the point where excessive headspace was causing misfires.