M&p 340

[Balog]

FFL is apparently closed on Saturdays for the summer. I really need to find a new place, I can't make it to this place during the week as it's an hour away from my job and closes an hour after I get off work, and this is the second time he's been closed for random reasons on the Saturday I tried to pick a gun up.

I'm ditching work early tomorrow to go pick it up though, so pics soon I hope!

 

[mmunsch]

Howdy all, I just picked up my M&P 340CT last week from my dealer, bought from Shooters at their great price, and wanted to thank everyone who has posted about theirs and "convinced" me that the M&P 340 was the way to go. This weekend I shot 50 rounds of Monarch (an Academy brand) .38 special 158gr through it and 25 rounds of Monarch .357 158gr through it. I don't know what these are exactly loaded to, the .38s were not bad and the .357 were pretty noticeable. I can say that the gun is a handful either way, I could definitely "feel" the recoil and there was a little soreness but no bruises. It will take some adjusting to and quite a few rounds downrange to get comfortable with. Does anyone have any pointers for a good repeatable grip for "accurate" shots? I know about the high hand hold but with the relatively long and stiff trigger pull i find myself having to shift my hand far left to only get the pad of my trigger finger on the trigger to be able to squeeze the trigger. Some groups were less than be desired, but she will fill a paper plate full of holes, which should get the job done in a need to use situation. Any tips or tricks from owners would be appreciated

 

[Marvin KNox]

One of the reasons I got the 340 M&P was the good front sight on it.

I'm happy with it. But then I also have the CT model and carry with the laser on. I need all the help I can get with my old eyes.

I sometimes use the 340 with the 405 grips on it alone in a belly band or alone in a side holster when I'm occasionally carrying while wearing something that will show the gun more than my customary sportcoat.

I now use my 340M&P as my back up gun on the off side (I carry two guns - "New York reload"). My other gun is a heavier 640 with the larger 305 CT's on it and I'm happy with it for my first draw in a gunfight because it is heavier and easier to control with my DPX .357's.

The two J-frames make an awsome team and I wouldn't trade the team for any others.

(The only other gun I own is a .380 Ruger LCP that I occasionally shove in a front pocket when nothing else will do for concealment purposes. But I feel half naked when that's all I have with me.)

When I replaced the nearly useless front ramp sight on the 640 with another sight - I chose the larger sized "big dot" over the standard dot that comes on the 340M&P.

I won't likely spend the money to replace the standard dot on the M&P with the larger dot. But I surely wish that S&W had taken the advice of XS and used the big dot instead of the smaller one.

The 340 is a close-in gunfight carry piece not a range gun. I don't need tight groups past around 10 yards. I can get as tight within 10 yards with the big dot as I can with the smaller one - and a heck of a lot faster especially if the targets are moving some.

Now - if it was another gun than the 340M&P - that I used for a kit gun or for target use more often - I'd get the standard dot again.

If the 340 was still my primary I would undoubtedly replace the front sight with the XS Big Dot.

 

[Chachi39]

Trying to Post a Pic

My 340 and Wifes 637 With Microtech Ultra Tech DA and UDT.

0702002124.jpg

 

[DAdams]

chachi I about had to grab my shades for that pic a study in color contrasts.

Nice setups y'all have there. What's the blade you've got?

Thanks for posting, I do like the looks of those 305 grips. How do they feel?

 

[DAdams]

Welcome MMunsch....

Tips.
Deploy quickly and reliably, slow becomes fast, practice, practice, practice. Develop muscle memory. Build up the hand muscles, dry fire the heck out of the thing(s).
Grip high and very tight. Practice with and w/o the laser. Especially point shooting. As Old Fuff says, do the five drill.... five rounds, five yards, five seconds.

Look for some videos by Jerry Miculek on shooting snubs.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372009

 

[Chachi39]

Microtech's and 305's

Dadams Thanks for the help posting pics. I Love the 305's. My Buddy put the Hogue’s on and they feel just about the same as the 305's with .38 & .357 the 305's are a little thinner but the Hogue’s have the nice groves for the fingers so it is really up to you. I Fire my 340 just like I have seen Jerry Miculek fire Similar small J-Frames and really like it. It gives U a nice High Grip. I would defiantly recommend the 305's over all other Crimson trace. I always carry a Gun with me even have one in the Truck accessible at all time so I really don’t want to stuff my 340 away deep in my pocket even thought I use it as a backup gun to my large array or Primary Carry Pieces. I still want to be able to grab it if I need it but I actually like the larger grip of the 305. I Have 3 different holster for my 340 a Uncle Mike # 3, Blackhawk CQC Leather 00, and Blackhawk CQC Serpa. So I just swap up Kits depending on what I a wearing for the day.
D if you don’t own a Microtech U need to get one. The cost as much as a new pistol ranging from $250 to $15,000 Yes 15 K Not a Typo! But there is not a better Knife out there. I have a large collection of Knives from Dalton, Chris Reeves, Buck, Microtech, Kershaw, and Many others. But I carry my UDT every wear I go. UDT stands for Under Water Demolition Team. It is an OTS push button spring loaded. It was made for Navy Seals and can take on hell of a Beating! The UDT Runs about $275-$300 for the small ones they are discontinued but there is still a supply out there in almost every color you could want. There is also a Large UDT out there for people with large hands. I have take many knives on my Deployments to Iraq but the OTF get dirty and jam up and the OTS like the UDT always work best for a pocket knife. If you have the Lugery of carrying a full size Knife I Used my Chris Reeves SF Knife in 5.5 in.

0324001932.jpg

Here is a Pic and a little info on my other Carry Pieces. From top to Bottom.
Springfield Mil Spec 1911 45 ACP all parts have been replaced with Wilson Combat Parts work done by myself 3.5 lb Trigger
Springfield XD 45 ACP All stock " Wifes Favorite Gun" I Dont Know Why? She just Loves how it shoots but then again I have never met anyone who dosent love shooting any XD. As U see I own 3.
Springfield XD 45 GAP For For California and its Crazy Gun Laws
Springfield XD 40 S&W all work done by Bowie Tactical 3.5 lbs Trigger
Glock 17 9MM work done by myself 3.5 lbs Trigger
Glock 19 9MM all work done by Bowie Tactical 3.5 lbs Trigger

 

[DAdams]

Checked out Microtech's website, some nice stuff and some very pricey blades at that. I see they are in the gun business too.
Nice handgun lineup there you have Chachi.

 

[fastlane1588]

Hey, I want to thank everyone on this forum. I read the first 20 pages of the thread trying to conduct some research on the 340 before I decided to go buy one. You guys helped a bunch and I ended up grabbing one. I get to pick it up thursday and cant wait!

I did notice the prices have gone up a bunch since the creation of the thread, but oh well I guess that stuff happens. Im still very excited! Thanks everyone!

 

[DAdams]

New 340

Welcome fastlane! Glad the Thread was of value.

Prices seem good for the LE, Mil folks amongst us. Like most things though the retail price has slowly worked its way up.

You won't give the $$ much thought eventually.

Come on back and let us know how she shoots.

 

[jamesjames]

Revolving Airweight owner (with regret)

From the Live and Learn files... I just started handgunning 2 1/2 years ago and I have owned a 342PD and a 438 Bodyguard and traded them both off because I didn't shoot them "well". Either the recoil was too hard or I couldn't get a tight group to point of aim. Then I got the all-stainless 640, but found it waaaay too heavy for daily carry and traded it off.

Now, after almost 2 years of this rigamarole, I have recently shot a buddy's 340 and found it to be a great shooter for me. Go figure. Perhaps I have become a somewhat better pistolero in the last year or so. Maybe I'm not as recoil sensitive as I was when I was starting out. Whatever the circumstance, I am waiting for delivery of a 340 M&P.

I'm looking forward to using the night sight for better sight picture in dayliight, lowlight, and night-time shooting. I already have a set of j-frame sized CT grips, so I've got laser grip capability if i want it. Although its chambered for .357, it'll probably only see .38 specials in it. I also plan to carry it in the woods as a concealed trail gun, loaded with heavy hardcast .38s from Buffalo Bore.

 

[DAdams]

JamesJames

James, welcome....

I have recently shot a buddy's 340 and found it to be a great shooter for me.

Glad you could join us and stay in touch.

 

[finnfur]

SPEER RELOAD MANUAL - Sort barrel loads ?

My son recently purchased a 340PD at the gun show. He loves it [ with the +p's] LOL . I load a lot of 357 for my Dan wesson and Marlin 1894 and trying to find a load equivalent to the Speer GD Short barrel . I would think the Speer reload manual would have that info. Just trying to confirm it if anyone has the new manual does it have the short barrel loads before I shell out the buck$ to buy it.
My objective is to get the 357 loads manageable because I don't reload 38's
and detest reseting dies back and forth. I know I'm lazy - it comes as a privilege of age. LOL

Thanks , Tom

 

[hdrewh]

I bought my M&P 340 without the laser grips but I would love to find some replacement grips *shaped* like those 405's but w/o laser and extra cost - that extra backstrap piece would be perfect for the grip I'm looking for.

I think I've pretty muched looked everywhere but couldn't find anything similarly shaped.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Howard

 

[FreedomRydr]

Now I am REALLY confused!! I have spent my entire day on firearms blogs, reviews and forums, trying to make a decision on a CCW wheel-gun with some punch. Already decided on a 'wheel', must have a hidden hammer, so DAO is a must not a choice, but OK, and CT grips a personal must. Tri-caliber a benny. I already own a Ruger and a Smith, so brand snobbery won't help me decide!

Every user/owner swears HIS gun is the greatest thing since the Flintlock!

So after 7 hours, I am still where I began!
I guess it will have to be a personal choice after shooting, (and counting shekels) but it has been narrowed down to two (from two!).

The S&W M&P 340 (Big bucks, cool logo on the CT grips, a 'Smith M&P')
The Ruger KLCR-357 (Cheaper, heavier [good & bad?], 'local' Mfr.)
Both are 'pretty'. Pros & cons about equal.

It looks like whichever one comes along first, with the most comfortable 'fit', whether financial, shooting, recoil, etc., will be it...

Now I wait for The Universe to place it in my path....

Thanks to all for your edifications, elaborations and education!

ad infinitum

 

[altitude_19]

Night sites are standard on the M&P. I've only seem them recently on the LCR models. AND, I've realized the M&P is just barely light enough to where I can forget it's there. 17 ounces ain't big by a long shot, but it's no 13.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Freedom - my $.02

Unless you are really, really short on cash, I would just say that a year from now, or 5, or 10, you are not going to notice what you paid for the gun. You should get the one you like better.

Both are great guns, and both are probably "fairly" priced. You get a bit more with the 340, you pay a bit more.

In 5 years, if you have the 340 are you going to look back and say you wish you had that $300 back (or whatever the price difference is) or if you have the Ruger are you more likely to look back and wish you had the lighter, possibly higher quality, gun?

Also, just for fun, 4 ounces times 365 days times 5 years, the Ruger is over 450 POUNDS heavier than the 340!!

Just my $.02. In my experience, I did the revolver right (M&P340 first time), but for a semi-auto carry gun I picked Glock 26 over what I really wanted (HK P2000SK) strictly because of price (with LEO discount the 26 was MUCH less). Settling for the 26 lasted less than a year and I was looking to change - now I have the HK, love it, and I literally do not even remember what I paid for it...

Good luck - you can't go wrong with either gun unless you end up with buyer's remorse and spend even more to correct it!!

Safe shooting,
FT

 

[Sparks_1911]

Chrono Report

CHRONO REPORT

Finally back to the range with a new chronograph (CED Millennium 2) after disappointing results with a Shooting Chrony back on 5/31/10 (I've had good luck with a Shooting Chrony in the past, so your guess is as good as mine). The CED M2 performed about flawlessly, missing only 2 out of around 48 rounds. Distance from muzzle approx. 10 ft. For my purposes 3 rounds was sufficent to get a 'read' on the ammo; I realize that this will fall short for some. I ran everything I had in the ammo box, including the practice ammo (the PMC .38). The Hornady stuff looks like it has the most punch, with the 158 gr. XTP being easier on the hand (just 3 rounds of the 125 gr. FTX and your palm looks up at you with a raised eyebrow ).

S&W M&P 340:

.357 Mag. Ammo (Mfr. #) . . . . . . . . . .FPS . . . . . . (recoil) . (notes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMC 158 gr. JSP (#357A) . . . . . . . 895 / 915 / 912 . . . . . . . . .(jacketed soft [lead] point]

Hornady 125 gr. FTX (#90500) . . . 1199 / 1192 / 1174 (snappy) (1500 FPS claimed)

Hornady 158 gr. XTP (#90562) . . . 1034 / 1009 / 1044 (strong) (1250 FPS claimed)

Remington 125 gr. JHP (#GS357MA) 1044 / 1030 / 1063 (strong) ("Golden Saber")

Buffalo Bore 158 gr. JHP (#19E) . . .1035 / 1008 / 1016 (strong) ("Tactical Short Barrel") (1100 FPS claimed)


.38 Spcl. Ammo (Mfr. #) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FPS . . . .(recoil) . (notes)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMC 132 gr. FMJ (#38G) . . . . . . . . . . . . .748 / 740 / 717

Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LSWHC +P (#20A/20) . 985 / 1001 / 985 (snappy) (smokey, lead semi-wadcutter) (1000 FPS claimed)

 

[Sparks_1911]

I bought my M&P 340 without the laser grips but I would love to find some replacement grips *shaped* like those 405's but w/o laser and extra cost - that extra backstrap piece would be perfect for the grip I'm looking for. [...]

Can't help, but personally I'd prefer the Hogue grips (Monogrip Soft Rubber Grips With Finger Grooves) if I didn't want the laser. If you haven't seen those you might take a look -- they pad the entire backstrap. The CT-405 grips don't give all that much comfort in my opinion, and the lower part of the backstrap has no padding at all with that grip. If you can get a high grip I guess they might be okay, but I try that and it seems unnatural and is still rough on the palm (where the metal backstrap is present).

 

[hdrewh]

selling my NIB M&P 340 over at the buy/sell/trade forum:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6726212#post6726212

 

[AStone]

There's an interesting thread here comparing .38 spl, .38 +p, and .357 mag.

I've read a lot on those two over the last few years, and own revolvers in both. (642 and 65)

But that thread raised some interesting new issues for me about .357 mag.

Most interesting stuff for me is on the first page.

 

[AStone]

Hmmm. Kinda quiet in here.

I'm guessing that our host, Dr. DA, may be on vacation.
Probably on a lake somewhere in the Smokies.

In following with my post above from 9 days ago,
let me follow up with this post about
a black M&P .357 mag revolver with a 3" barrel
that weighs just a tad over 14 oz.

Oh, the lust.

Yes, I know it's not an M&P 340.
But thought I'd ask 340 owners their opinion about it.

 

[DAdams]

Hmmm. Kinda quiet in here.

I'm guessing that our host, Dr. DA, may be on vacation.
Probably on a lake somewhere in the Smokies.

Unfortunately we are out of the Mountains and vacation is but a pleasant memory. Back to the sawmill.

Yes indeed I guess the 340 market is saturated? and all are happy with their 340.

In following with my post above from 9 days ago,
let me follow up with this post about
a black M&P .357 mag revolver with a 3" barrel
that weighs just a tad over 14 oz.
Oh, the lust.

NEM, You have good taste..I don't blame you for lusting over that 360 beauty.
I would like to pickup a 3 inch K frame some day, no ILC.

Reading the .357 vs. 38 plus P discussions in a 2 inch revolver, especially the PDs and M&Ps. I'm not sure that I can get too excited over the possible deffiencies of speed, wound diameter and penetration of the plus P. Interesting from a esoteric standpoint, but I don't lay awake at night knowing my 340 is stoked with 135 grain plus P instead of .357.

If that were the case I guess my bedside unit would be the 686 with .357 and six rounds instead of five.

Three years later.........

I remedied those sleepless nights contemplating FBI data, Brassfetcher Reports and round quantity defficiency by changing up the house SD unit to a medium frame (21oz) 4 inch semi-auto in .40 with 13 160 grain rounds.



The Winchester 30-30 (ancient technology) is being replaced with an EBR in 6.8 SPC... the last thing I want is to have to worry about that marginal .223/5.56. or heavy and round capacity challenged .308.



My outside the house carries still revolve around:

M&P 340
Seecamp .380
Kahr PM9

 

[AStone]

The Winchester 30-30 (ancient technology) is being replaced with an EBR in 6.8 SPC

Supplemented, maybe. Replaced? Naw. Not in your lifetime.

Ancient technology? Last time I checked, knives are still effective weapons.

I'll check out the 6.8 spc.

Can you recommend a good url
beyond this one?
Or this one?

Reading the .357 vs. 38 plus P discussions in a 2 inch revolver, especially the PDs and M&Ps.

Good reading, what?

 

[DAdams]

Nematocyst Quote:
The Winchester 30-30 (ancient technology) is being replaced with an EBR in 6.8 SPC

Supplemented, maybe. Replaced? Naw. Not in your lifetime.

Not even in my son's lifetime.

Better choice of words. No NEM my classic Winchester is still within 10 feet of me as we speak. It was updated when Hornady came out with the LeveRevolution 160 gr FTX. I don't need to be reminded of how many deer are taken every year with 170 Silvertips. to this very day.

Good reading what

? Oh the never ending discussion of barrel length 38 spl plus P and .357.

I'll PM you on the 6.8.

Now return you to our sponsor.....S&W M&P 340.