S & W 340PD

[tdt91]

Anyone in the Harford County or Timonium area have one of these? I'm considering it for a carry gun and would love to have hands on and shoot before I buy. https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-340pd?sku=103061&preselect=1

 

[4g64loser]

I don't have one of the 340pd specifically and I'm kinda a ways from you but I have a few j frames and I like them very much. Most used are probably a 642-1 (38, not 357 like you are looking at) and a Centennial (back before smith numbered their models they had names). Both smooth. No work except use. The newer 60s that a friend bought last year needed some massaging to get em slicked up.

If you have never shot a j in 357, you are probably in for a rough day. I load even the steel frames with 38+P if I am going to be shooting any amount.

 

[tdt91]

I have no interest in running 357 through the gun, I just like the weight and I'll likely run wad cutters through it.

 

[4g64loser]

I have no interest in running 357 through the gun, I just like the weight and I'll likely run wad cutters through it.

Then give strong consideration to the 642. Aluminum frame, +P rated, usually less money than the 340pd by a good bit, and very easy to find. I believe it is the most-sold j frame these days based on a couple of articles over the years.

A 638 will give you the humpback version if you want to have the option to go single action once in a while.

A note on wadcutters; they are a pain in the arse to get in the cylinder under pressure. Load five in the cylinder and keep 158 standard pressure SWC or TFP or RNFP in your speed loaders/speed strips as they are a lot faster to get in. In most J frames I've had, 148 HBWC or DEWC shoots to about the same POI as 158 SWC when run to the old "standard" loads. I find the 148s very pleasant even out of aluminum frames. Standard pressure 158 isn't bad. A hot rodded 158 is a lot less fun.

 

[normbal]

I’ve shot the heck out of mine with WC/SWC, +P and .357 Magnum homeloads as well as factory ammo. it’s a handful, definitely not for the ill-prepared. You have to grip it until the rubber almost squeaks out through your fingies.

I carry mine around my farm in TN ( with a pocket clip, Jamaica-style when I’m out and about), loaded with 2 CCI snake shot loads (rattlers), two +P hydrashock and one .357 of some brand or another.

It’s for close-in use but I can pretty much hit torsos at Tueller closing distance all day - with lighter loads.

I lightened the trigger and hammer springs with a Bill Wilson kit which makes a big difference.

if you like carrying five round wheel guns, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

 

[OMCHamlin]

No where near you, but I have an M&P 340 .357, and I've shot the crap outta full patch .357s in it. (the "crap outta" may vary between readers...). I HAVE shot over a box full out of it, plus a few more in .38s, but I figure if I carry with .357s, I should NOT be at all surprised the first time I light one off, right? The M&P variant I bought was cheaper then the 340PD, and weighs like an ounce and a half more or something, but it still kicks a right smart. You can control it, and it's sights are fairly well regulated, but it's a 15-20 yd gun, tops. It does feel pretty much like any other no lock Airweight Centennial, and I have the G10 320 boot grip by VZ Grips and right now I carry one CCI "Big Shot" shot load followed by 4 180 gr Black Talons. It has some sort of black finish on it that is not overly durable, I am getting wear on the high points pretty good now. I carry a Bianchi Speed Strip full of Rem 158's and another shot round for it. I recommend it, AND I recommend trying at least one cylinder full of .357s in it.

 

[Brickman301]

Then give strong consideration to the 642. Aluminum frame, +P rated, usually less money than the 340pd by a good bit, and very easy to find. I believe it is the most-sold j frame these days based on a couple of articles over the years.

A 638 will give you the humpback version if you want to have the option to go single action once in a while.

A note on wadcutters; they are a pain in the arse to get in the cylinder under pressure. Load five in the cylinder and keep 158 standard pressure SWC or TFP or RNFP in your speed loaders/speed strips as they are a lot faster to get in. In most J frames I've had, 148 HBWC or DEWC shoots to about the same POI as 158 SWC when run to the old "standard" loads. I find the 148s very pleasant even out of aluminum frames. Standard pressure 158 isn't bad. A hot rodded 158 is a lot less fun.

I’m a big fan of the 638. It’s the best of both worlds IMO. It won’t get snagged, and you have the option of single action. I spend a lot of time in the woods. Being able to use single action is helpful for more accurate shots, if I need to dispatch an animal or something of that nature

 

[4g64loser]

I’m a big fan of the 638. It’s the best of both worlds IMO. It won’t get snagged, and you have the option of single action. I spend a lot of time in the woods. Being able to use single action is helpful for more accurate shots, if I need to dispatch an animal or something of that nature

My aunt carries a 638 and it's a damn fine pistol. She spends a lot of time on horses in the woods of NC and likes the ability to thumb the hammer as you mention. I actually plan on getting a 649 at some point. I use a modified version of the McGivern trigger pull and I find that I can shoot the DAO fully enclosed hammer versions about as well as the humpbacks that offer the option to thumb cock when needed. None of them are target guns as they have fixed sights regulated for the old 158 fbi/treasury load.

I typically have 148 wadcutters or 158 SWC or JHP in them. Hardly a good sampling but I think the 148s do a great job on smaller critters. Make up my own shot loads for getting rid of issues or just amusing myself shooting hornets/wasps.

 

[Brickman301]

My aunt carries a 638 and it's a damn fine pistol. She spends a lot of time on horses in the woods of NC and likes the ability to thumb the hammer as you mention.

I typically have 148 wadcutters or 158 SWC or JHP in them. Hardly a good sampling but I think the 148s do a great job on smaller critters. Make up my own shot loads for getting rid of issues or just amusing myself shooting hornets/wasps.

I will also be carrying mine with standard velocity 158 grain lead SWC. Regular wad cutters suck to try to reload fast.

I rode horses a lot as a kid/teen on the farm. I carried my dad’s Ruger single six a lot. Even had a horse that didn’t mind me shooting it from his back. He didn’t mind as long as I was shooting .22lr. Made the mistake of trying .22 mags one time, the old horse was none to happy. Lol

 

[4g64loser]

I will also be carrying mine with standard velocity 158 grain lead SWC. Regular wad cutters suck to try to reload fast.

I rode horses a lot as a kid/teen on the farm. I carried my dad’s Ruger single six a lot. Even had a horse that didn’t mind me shooting it from his back. He didn’t mind as long as I was shooting .22lr. Made the mistake of trying .22 mags one time, the old horse was none to happy. Lol

Yeah, I don't carry 148s in speed loaders or strips because they are a pain to load up but they do work well.

You are lucky to have a gun trained horse. Only ever seen a couple of them over years of riding in carolina.

 

[rob]

Anyone in the Harford County or Timonium area have one of these? I'm considering it for a carry gun and would love to have hands on and shoot before I buy. https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-340pd?sku=103061&preselect=1

Not near you, but I have one for edc. +p kicks hard. 357 kicks like a mule. I am not sure how much extra stopping power you get from 357 outa this thing. I kinda feel like there is not enough barrel length to allow all the powder to burn and build pressure. But that's just my $.02 and I am no expert. I do worry that if I am not focused on the recoil and i have to use it in self defense i may have a problem controlling it. Had I shot it first, I may not have bought it. I will say this about it. I pocket carry and it is so light, you can sometimes forget the gun is even there. It is very easy to carry.

Still it's got more power than +p so I carry 357 anyway.

Rob.

Sent from my SM-T870 using Tapatalk

 

[Brickman301]

You are lucky to have a gun trained horse. Only ever seen a couple of them over years of riding in carolina.

Yes, I was lucky to have “Bear”. A lot of fond memories of him.
I have also only seen a few horses that weren’t “gun shy”

 

[4g64loser]

Yes, I was lucky to have “Bear”. A lot of fond memories of him.
I have also only seen a few horses that weren’t “gun shy”

I'm told that only some horses can be brought to that point, even with solid training.

More on topic, I will add that I do very much like the j frames for situations where I may want a gun for utility purposes but the probability of a DGU is relatively low. The ability to use the gun for opportunity plinking, insect shooting, animal dispatch, etc as well as personal protection can be very handy. The aluminum frame options are so light that you almost don't notice their weight or bulk while engaged in daily physical tasks or vigorous movement. Some people like pocket carry but I only do that with the j if it is in left jacket pocket as a backup gun.

Note: if carrying some plinker and/or shot loads, keep them in a different pocket/location than your primary defense loads.

 

[jollymon]

I have a few J frame Smiths and carried a 442 for years and added a 340 PD to the stable and its a dream to carry . I tried 357 ammo and it smarts when you shoot it 38+P not as bad but still let's you know . It mostly goes around with CCI snake shot around the property in my pocket . I don't know why I spent twice what the 442/642 cost my 442 had been doing the job well . Just wanted something new I guess

 

[strapped]

I sometimes carry a 442 and have been considering a 340pd since its even lighter! Jollymon can you notice the difference between the 2?

 

[4g64loser]

I sometimes carry a 442 and have been considering a 340pd since its even lighter! Jollymon can you notice the difference between the 2?

Can't comment on the 442/340pd but I can say that an all steel Centennial is barely more noticeable than a 642 (silver version of your 442) in a good iwb holster. Weight held close to the body isn't nearly as noticeable during movement as weight held away. Even a full size 1911 is more "lightly" carried IWB or in a good leather pancake than in a holster with some standoff like a safariland als or similar. At least this is how I perceive it.

 

[jollymon]

I sometimes carry a 442 and have been considering a 340pd since its even lighter! Jollymon can you notice the difference between the 2?

Can't really tell a difference.
Only one is 1100.00 the other 500.00 give or take

 

[tdt91]

The extra 500-600 is something to consider, but so is nearly 3 ounces difference. I hope to put my hands on some this weekend at the show.

 

[jollymon]

The extra 500-600 is something to consider, but so is nearly 3 ounces difference. I hope to put my hands on some this weekend at the show.

I tried to get my hands on one through my local shop but he was told by his Distributors that when they come in they get allocated to the sales guys who turn big numbers so the customer that spends big and the small accounts not so much , I had a trip to Atlanta so I checked out a couple shops no joy but one guy in one of the shops , a customer , said go over to Adventure Outdoors they are the largest gun shop in the country and sure enough they had them not just one but 6 and had no problem selling it to me and transferring , I called my shop in Tennessee and he shot them a email of his FFL , They shipped that day and at no charge to me since I paid for it in cash , Your probably not going to see one at a Gun Show just not a fast seller . I recall from the days I lived in Silver Spring that Atlantic was pretty tight with S&W they my have one or able to get you one . If not call Adventure Outdoors and see if they do a phone order

 

[Biggfoot44]

The extra 500-600 is something to consider, but so is nearly 3 ounces difference. I hope to put my hands on some this weekend at the show.

Sometimes almost 3oz can make a difference in certain contexts . This isn't it .