Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Smith & Wesson 340PD revolver.

I've been thinking on buying a Smith & Wesson 340PD (.357 mag.) revolver for conceal carry weapon. Does anyone have any experience with this handgun. Comments appreciated.
Thanks,
Hunter01

It�s a very nice revolver and very light weight. With .38 Special +P�s, it�s an ideal carry gun. With .357�s it�s the most abusive handgun you�ll ever put in your hand�It really hurts. What�s more, when I chronographed loads out of mine, I found that 125 grain JHP�s were only getting 1140fps, while Speer .38 Special +P 135 Grain �Short Barrel� loads were getting 1000 fps with about 1/3rd the recoil, 10% of the muzzle flash and muzzle blast. The .357 just doesn�t make sense in anything shorter than a three inch barrel, which is still quite borderline.

If you don�t need the ultra light weight, I�d recommend the S&W 442 at nearly half price.

After touching off a .357 Mag in the 340PD and running in circles with your hair on fire while swinging your shattered hand in the air, there's always a chance the bad guy will feel sorry for you and let you go...

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I have a new 360Sc which is a very nice gun, but as mentioned, does kick a lot with the wrong loads. For a concealed weapon it's very nice because it doesn't weigh much (12 oz) and has no hammer to snag. It's for sale if you are interested. I am selling because I want to buy another Freedom arms revolver.

I have a 360PD and like Kevin said they are great carry guns but not suited for ammo above 38+P. It's a joy to carry and very accurate at the range it's appropriate for.

Hunter - I'm a little late to this thread but want to add my two cents.

I carry a 340PD upgraded with CTC LG405 Laser Grips. I currently carry .38+p Gold Dot but have shot some .357s which do kick.

I did however find the .357 Golden Saber's tolerable. Unfortunately I had a bullet back out and jam the revolver.

I will be trying some Speer 135 Grain Gold Dot ammo. I understand it's designed for 2" barrel revolvers. Hopefully the ammo order arrives today so I can give them a try.

Thanks,

I'd concur that it is a nasty gun to shoot with magnum ammo. It actually hurt my wrist when it went off!

I've got a 442 and had a problem with rust on the cylinder and barrel. For the same money go for a 642 and rust isn't a problem for the SS gun. CT laser grips would be another suggestion. These are magical on a J-frame. the increase in speed and accuracy is phenomenal!

2Seventy

Hunter -

I carry and shoot a 340PD. I have been shooting it weekly - usually 10 or 15 rounds.

To make a long story short after I figured out how to clean it without damaging the titanium cylinder (no ammonia products according to S&W) and found a load I like I am very happy with the gun.

Currently I carry and shoot Speed 135 Grain JHP .357 mag 2" barrel loads. Recoil is manageable and the load is accurate.

I have CTC LG405 (the latest version J-Frame) Laser Grips installed. This version is the "Boot Grip" and, despite its small size, it absorbs recoil pretty well.

I tried one other mid-power .357 load - the Remington 125 Golden Saber. After 3 shots the bullet in the 4th case came out so far that the cylinder would not rotate.

I've not had this problem is around 100 Speer 135 grain loads.

If you are interest I get my ammo on-line from Cheaper Than Dirt.

The Speer 2" .38+p load is part number 23921.
The .357 2" load is part number 21917.

Go for the 340.

Deputy Norm,

What's your cleaning procedure for the cylinder?

Paul

Paul -

Clearly I must be getting old. I thought I had answered this post.

I have a cleaning rod chucked up in my electric drill. I put a .38 nylon brush on it and wrap the brush with Eagle One Original NEVR-DULL Wadding Polish. A few seconds in each chamber removes the crud I've been unable to get out before.

Smith & Wesson recommended this product.

S&W also warned against using any cleaning product containing ammonia.

Other products I use and which I've confirmed with the manufacturers that they do not contain ammonia are:
Gunzilla Gun Cleaning Solvent
Gun Care Cloth - Pro-Shot Products
WD40
Breakfree aerosol and liquid.

I also use the Wadding Polish on the end of a manicure
(orange) stick that I borrowed from my wife. The flat surface and the wadding act like an eraser to clean the outside of the cylinder.

Good luck.

About three years ago I bough my wife and I each a 637 Airweight as they were on special for less than $300. I had mine converted to double action only and had the hammer bobbed. It was still cheaper than the 642's I could find. I wear this little gun nearly every day and load it with the 135 +P Gold Dot snubby load. I can't see needing .357 loads in a J-frame snub nose. I load my wife's with the 110 Federal Personal Defense Hydra-shoks as they don't have much recoil.

JPro - The 2" load 125 grain GDHP .38+p is great for a J-Frame S&W.

Like you I didn't see much need for .357s in a snubby. But now that I've tried the .357 135 2" load GDJP in my 340PD, that's what I carry.

The recoil is well in the acceptable range and the load is about 1/3 more powerful.

Remember I am old and have arthritis in both hands. This load can't kick too much.

Also I recommend the CTC LG405 Laser Grips. The 405 is the boot grip style. In addition to the finest aiming system on any revolver, they are designed to soak up the recoil.

Thanks Norm, I'll give it a try. Does it get the lead out of cyl throats?

Paul

yep - clean as a whistle.