340 PD (titanium Jframe) first time out

[Peakbagger46]

Finally got to shoot and qualify with my new BUG today. Shot to point of aim and was very manageable with +P, very happy with this choice. I feel comfortable out about 20y center mass.

With all the other gear I have to carry, the light weight and simplicity of this guy is perfect. Even been carrying it in the front pocket while rucking.

My carry ammo is four rounds of Buffalo Bore 158g LSWC+P followed by one last round of Barnes 140g .357.

 

[Blue Jays]

Probably one of the best "hiking revolvers" ever invented. Handles powerful cartridges, too.
Place that featherweight revolver in a Mika pocket holster and head for the steepest mountain trails!
Congratulations and enjoy your awesome new revolver purchase. Sweet, indeed.

 

[Pat Riot]

Just under 12 ounces. I recall shooting 158 grain .357 magnum out of my S&W model 60 Pro. At 23 ounces it was… quite invigorating.

I carry my S&W 442. It’s comfortable at 15 Oz. I’ll bet the 340 PD is even better for carry.

Nice looking backup, @Peakbagger46

 

[Riomouse911]

Wow, firing a .357 mag from a sub 12 oz revolver.

My little 317 is only a couple of ounces lighter, your hands are better than mine, Gunga Din!

But seriously, the power-to-weight ratio of that Titanium beauty of yours is off the charts. As Blue Jays stated above, thats a great hiking, backpacking or hunting backup pistol for sure. Nicely done .

Stay safe.

 

[mcb]

I borrowed one of those 340 PD's off a buddy. Shot one cylinder of 357 Magnum Gold Dot. Then proceeded to thoroughly curse that mean little revolver. When feeling returned to my hand I gave it back to my friend, and cursed him a little too for good measure. I then went out and bought myself a S&W 442 Moonclip and and took the difference in prices between the two revolvers and bought a heap of reloading supplies.

Got no desire or need to every shoot full bore 357 Mag is a revolver that light again. If I had a dollar for every time I heard some say they have a 340PD (or similar 357 Mag Airweight) but they only shoot 38 Special +P in it, I could buy one of those mean little revolvers and throw it in a river and not feel bad for the loss.

<wanders out of thread muttering a wide variety of curses and the phrase "mean little revolver">

 

[243winxb]

LSWC+P

Does the gun come with the jump crimp warning? My old 38 spec, 10 oz, 337PD did.

Practice with M60. Carry 337PD. Shoot very little.

 

[Tallball]

Nice little carry piece there.

 

[pbearperry]

I own one and you have to be careful shooting 158 gr swc +P. First time I shot them after firing 2 of them, the other 3 rounds started to back out of the cases. After firing the 4th round, the 5th bullet was removed by my fingers. Because of this I only use them for my first two shots. This seems to not happen with jacketed bullets or non +P rounds.

 

[.38 Special]

I just ordered one last night, despite it being the most unpleasant gun I've ever fired. I've been doing a lot of "ultradistance" trail running lately, in very steep country, and every ounce of gear feels like a pound - including the subcompact Glock.

I'm not looking forward to practicing with the damn thing, and will be loading up on wadcutters, but I just can't think of a better gun for the task.

 

[Zendude]

It feels even lighter than its actual weight, if that makes any sense. It looks like it should be heavier than it is.

 

[pbearperry]

I just ordered one last night, despite it being the most unpleasant gun I've ever fired. I've been doing a lot of "ultradistance" trail running lately, in very steep country, and every ounce of gear feels like a pound - including the subcompact Glock.

I'm not looking forward to practicing with the damn thing, and will be loading up on wadcutters, but I just can't think of a better gun for the task.

This revolver is perfect for your needs with Wadcutters.

 

[.38 Special]

I certainly will be using them for the bulk of my practice! I am not sure about them for mountain lions and such, though. I will be trying 158 SWC-HPs and 125 JHPs, probably loaded into .357 cases at "Minus P" levels, looking for some compromise between power and controllability. My memory is not great these days, but I recall full-power loads in that gun with perfect clarity...

 

[243winxb]

Lots more photos here https://www.all4shooters.com/en/galleries/technics/titanium-cylinders/



Cleaning methods can also cause problems, per owners manual.

 

[mcb]

Lots more photos here https://www.all4shooters.com/en/galleries/technics/titanium-cylinders/

View attachment 1128354

So they shoot ammo that you're not suppose to in the gun and the result is damage.

 

[LightninST]

Liberty Ammunition 357 Mag light ammo for a light revolver.

We have redesigned the Civil Defense 357 Magnum to reliably fragment out of 2 inch barrels.
Weight: 50gr
Velocity: 2100 FPS
Kinetic Energy: >490 FPE
Accuracy: < 1” @ 25 Meters
Rounds: 20 per box
Terminal Effect: 3 ½ “W x 12” D

Compared To Other Top Self-Defense Rounds

• - 57 to 86% Less recoil than standard 357 Magnum defense rounds
• - We have redesigned the Civil Defense 357 Magnum to reliably fragment out of 2 inch barrels.

Our projectiles function differently than any other self-defense round on the market. We designed the Civil Defense line to eliminate threats with one round. We did this by creating the maximum amount of damage and tissue disruption possible. They do well against barriers, but when the large cavity fills with fluid, the hydraulic pressure builds until the side walls of the projectile explode. With that explosion comes rifle sized temporary cavities and hydrostatic shock, therefore increasing stopping power by tenfold. Following the explosion, the bullet fragments into a starburst shaped pattern creating multiple wound channels. This process also benefits in many other areas across the spectrum of things considered when talking about self-defense. Such as reduced over penetration and lessening the risk of unintended casualties. Having a lighter projectile also leads to less muzzle flip for faster follow up shots.

 

[.38 Special]

Liberty Ammunition 357 Mag light ammo for a light revolver.

We have redesigned the Civil Defense 357 Magnum to reliably fragment out of 2 inch barrels.
Weight: 50gr
Velocity: 2100 FPS
Kinetic Energy: >490 FPE
Accuracy: < 1” @ 25 Meters
Rounds: 20 per box
Terminal Effect: 3 ½ “W x 12” D

Compared To Other Top Self-Defense Rounds

• - 57 to 86% Less recoil than standard 357 Magnum defense rounds
• - We have redesigned the Civil Defense 357 Magnum to reliably fragment out of 2 inch barrels.

Our projectiles function differently than any other self-defense round on the market. We designed the Civil Defense line to eliminate threats with one round. We did this by creating the maximum amount of damage and tissue disruption possible. They do well against barriers, but when the large cavity fills with fluid, the hydraulic pressure builds until the side walls of the projectile explode. With that explosion comes rifle sized temporary cavities and hydrostatic shock, therefore increasing stopping power by tenfold. Following the explosion, the bullet fragments into a starburst shaped pattern creating multiple wound channels. This process also benefits in many other areas across the spectrum of things considered when talking about self-defense. Such as reduced over penetration and lessening the risk of unintended casualties. Having a lighter projectile also leads to less muzzle flip for faster follow up shots.

I didn't do so hot in math class, so help me out here: is 50 less than 120?

 

[Zendude]

Cleaning titanium cylinder- from S&W owners manual

CAUTION: Revolvers with Titanium-Alloy cylinders
• Titanium alloy cylinders weigh approximately 60% of what a similarly sized stainless steel cylinder weighs and yet is able to withstand the same operating pressures. Care and cleaning of the revolver’s titanium alloy cylinder consists of normal gun clean-
ing procedures using high quality gun oil and cleaning solvents when necessary. However, under NO circumstances should the cylinder’s chambers (charge holes) or front face be cleaned with an abrasive material such as sand paper, Scotch BriteTM, Crocus Cloth, etc. To do so will disrupt its protective surface layer and greatly reduce the cylinder’s service life because of excessive erosion that will take place while firing and will void your revolver’s warranty.

 

[NeroM]

My carry ammo is four rounds of Buffalo Bore 158g LSWC+P followed by one last round of Barnes 140g .357.

View attachment 1128235

Curious?
Question.....
I have shot and carried the Buffalo Bore (BB) 38 Spl +p "outdoors man" load in a 38 Spl Ruger LCR, which is a couple ounces heavier than your nice titanium wonder. Carry the LCR in my golf bag, am a minimalist golfer and carry my clubs. Live in a very rural area, bear or feral/wild dog encounter a few times per year. LCR also rests in my nightstand when not golfing. Have shot the BB load out of the LCR over a chronograph measuring 1000 fps, yielding approx 350 ft lbs energy. My son has a 357 mag with 2" barrel and has shot the BB 140 gr Barnes load, it is sort of a flash bang that yields around 1100 fps for approx 375 fp of energy.
Wondering, what the gain or advantage is with the last shot being the 357 load? Any better penetration or wound channel ?
Thoughts ? Thanks!

 

[Peakbagger46]

Curious?
Question.....
I have shot and carried the Buffalo Bore (BB) 38 Spl +p "outdoors man" load in a 38 Spl Ruger LCR, which is a couple ounces heavier than your nice titanium wonder. Carry the LCR in my golf bag, am a minimalist golfer and carry my clubs. Live in a very rural area, bear or feral/wild dog encounter a few times per year. LCR also rests in my nightstand when not golfing. Have shot the BB load out of the LCR over a chronograph measuring 1000 fps, yielding approx 350 ft lbs energy. My son has a 357 mag with 2" barrel and has shot the BB 140 gr Barnes load, it is sort of a flash bang that yields around 1100 fps for approx 375 fp of energy.
Wondering, what the gain or advantage is with the last shot being the 357 load? Any better penetration or wound channel ?
Thoughts ? Thanks!

The psychological advantage of the last round being a monolithic magnum

The BB 158g are truly impressive out of a snub, significantly better than a 9mm out of a 4” barrel.

 

[Eugen]

OP, I appreciate your affection for your 340 PD. I was planning to buy a new one when i came across a lightly used 360 PD at a gun show at a great price. I decided to forego the triggerless version for a bargain priced, triggered 360 P D model that weighs in slightly less at 11.4 oz.
It has become my daily ccw for various reasons. Pocket carry is its forte, it is almost (I did say almost) like its not there due to the lightweight and small j frame dimensions. I use a slim and well designed Mika pocket holster. Full load 357 mag rounds produce brutal felt recoil but 38 +p is manageable. Range time is requisite for accuracy with a 1.875" barrel. All things considered, Im pleased with my 360PD.

 

[Englishmn]

I have a 360sc most painful pistol i have ever shot.
Shoots great even tho it hurts. If 5 rounds of 158gr 357 don't work a sore hand will probably not be your biggest problem.
All the ti cylinders will get burns I replaced mine once already. It was not as bad as that picture.
Think it was 125 from midway when I bought it.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Eugen, the hammered J guns sit just a bit higher in the hand than a Centennial; having shot both, the 360 is worse than the 340, due to the higher bore axis.
Fun fact; the Smith has a scandium frame; scandium is a Latin term for "mean kicking little (redacted)".
Now, all that said, the 340 has been a great hiking gun; I carry it with two snakeshot rounds, followed by 3 140gr Fiocchi full metal jackets. These are last ditch GTFOM for bear, although it will require a split second decision about which will hurt more, recoil, or letting Yogi gnaw on you.
The Fiocchis clock an honest 1100'sec in a snub.
Been shooting full charge wadcutters in mine, which aren't too bad for recoil, and might well make a good defense load; they're about the same velocity as the old 158 RNL load.
Moon

 

[.38 Special]

Cleaning titanium cylinder- from S&W owners manual

CAUTION: Revolvers with Titanium-Alloy cylinders
• Titanium alloy cylinders weigh approximately 60% of what a similarly sized stainless steel cylinder weighs and yet is able to withstand the same operating pressures. Care and cleaning of the revolver’s titanium alloy cylinder consists of normal gun clean-
ing procedures using high quality gun oil and cleaning solvents when necessary. However, under NO circumstances should the cylinder’s chambers (charge holes) or front face be cleaned with an abrasive material such as sand paper, Scotch BriteTM, Crocus Cloth, etc. To do so will disrupt its protective surface layer and greatly reduce the cylinder’s service life because of excessive erosion that will take place while firing and will void your revolver’s warranty.

I don't care what those jerks at S&W say. I am going to continue cleaning all my guns with sandpaper.

 

[JTHunter]

How will using two different bullet weights affect "point of aim", particularly at greater distances (25 yds.+).

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned one 360 (sold it to a friend who still owns it but never shoots it...can't say I blame him).
I have owned two 340s (sold both...seeing a pattern?)

Back when I was all in on these things I was reading posts about firing them with "real" .357 Mag rounds. I did it and my wrist still hurts (and that was 20 years ago LOL)
I salute those of you who can do that. These days I have a 637 and that is nasty enough for my 66-year old wrists.