Barrel wiggle in S&W 340PD?

[Tse Gee La]

I've got a S&W 340PD with about 300 rounds of .38 special and 20 rounds of .357 Magnum through it and I noticed the barrel has a little wiggle to it. When you hold the sides of the barrel and twistthe barrle has some movement. Anybody got any idea if this is normal?

It may have done this all along and this is the first time I am noticeing, I have had it about a year and don't shoot it much.

 

[jc2]

Wouldn't it make better sense just to call S&W and them the question?

 

[c_yeager]

I would consult S&W, that sure doesnt sound like a good thing though. Ive never owned a revolver with barrel play before, and i dont think i would want to.

 

[Majic]

Several months ago a poster on another forum had what I think is one of the "PD" revolvers that the barrel came completely off. Pictures were posted and it went back to the factory.
Don't forget to ask for the shipping tag number when you call the factory so you won't have to pay shipping.

 

[115grfmj]

Barrel wiggle aint good on a revolver !!!

Call Smith and have them send you a label for shipping. Shooting it
further can damage the gun or.....you, innocent bystanders...etc.

 

[HSMITH]

Like 115 said, that isn't right and it isn't safe. Send it back.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well maybe it's normal today ... :banghead:

But not really. If there is any wiggle between the frame and barrel it isn't safe to shoot. S&W's recent system of barrel fitting involves a crush fit between the threads on the barrel and frame. If this fit loosens it will quickly get worse. So far the problem seems to have occured most often in the three-hundred series of revolvers, especially if they are use with +P or Magnum ammunition.

Like the others, I would recommend that you return it to Smith & Wesson as quickly as possible. Thereafter I would be very picky about the ammunition I shot in it.

 

[rick_reno]

No, that is not normal. Stop shooting this gun and get it fixed or replace it.

 

[Tse Gee La]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll call S&W on Monday.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Maybe it's a new Smith & Wesson feature: the barrel that can take abuse better than ever!

 

[HighVelocity]

Yikes! I don't like the sounds of this. I just took my 340 out of my pocket to check and the barrel does not move at all. Please let us know what SW says when you call them.

 

[orionengnr]

Glad I'm not the only one.

I just pulled my 340 out of my pocket and my barrel is tight as well.

With apologies to Mae West:

"Is that a 340 in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

 

[Old Fuff]

Gentlemen:

I am indeed glad that your barrels don't ... well ... ah ... wiggle ...

However the three-hundred series made by Smith & Wesson have established a sort of reputation - mostly when combined with Magnum ammunition.

So ... keep an eye peeled, and do "watch for the wiggle ... "

 

[HighVelocity]

Being a scandium junky and owning several so far, this really worries me. I would think a failure like this would be fixed under warranty for the life of the gun.

 

[double0757]

340pd

I also pulled my 340pd out of my pants and check the barrel for wiggle. No wiggle will keep checking.

Being a scandium junky and owning several so far, this really worries me.

DITO

Double O

 

[Tse Gee La]

Called Smith this morning. All they said was, "Give me your address so I can send the shipping label."

Upon further looking at the issue, it looks like the barrel shroud is loose not the actual barrel insert. I am still sending it in.

 

[HankB]

No wiggle in my 340SC's barrel.

Someone on the S&W Forum has supposedly fired many thousands of full power .357s (OUCH!) out of his scandium J-frame .357 with no problem . . .

 

[Old Fuff]

I didn't mean to suggest that "all" of the three-hundred series S&W revolvers are going to fall apart, although the bones in the shooter's wrist may ...

But barrels coming loose, or even blowing off the gun, have happened often enough so that wise owners should pay attention. A catistrophic failure would be bad under any circumstances, but in an emergency it could be worse then that. If, or when something seems out of the ordinary send it back and have it checked out.

 

[HighVelocity]

Someone on the S&W Forum has supposedly fired many thousands of full power .357s (OUCH!) out of his scandium J-frame .357 with no problem . . .

I'd like to shake that mans hand. Oh wait, he doesn't have any hands left.

The scandium guns aren't made for that kind of use imho.

 

[Tse Gee La]

Well, I got my 340PD back today from S&W. They have tightened the barrel as per their spec. At least that is what the paper they sent back says. It is definitly tighter than it was when I sent it. Now let's see how long it will last.

 

[HighVelocity]

What? You are supposed to proceed directly to the range, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Go shoot that thang!

 

[JohnKSa]

Tighter or tight?

It shouldn't just be tighter, it shouldn't be wiggling at all.

 

[c_yeager]

They have tightened the barrel as per their spec. At least that is what the paper they sent back says.

Someone please tell me that S&Ws spec for "barrel tightness" (???) is something along the lines of "rock solid".

 

[Tse Gee La]

Just got the letter today telling me they received my 340 and would be working on it.

Now I am trying to decide if I should keep it or get rid of it. If it is just going to shoot loose again why keep it?

 

[BigG]

11 ouncer

According to the manual I got with my little wowser they use a special wrench that engages the rifling to tighten the bbl inside the shroud which holds them both on. I believe the bbl threads are same direction as rifling so it should tighten itself. IIRC YMMV etc.