S&W Scandium model confusion

[Flechette]

Hey guys,

I recently discovered the S&W Mountain Lite scandium 7-shot revolver which weighs 18.? oz, and am comparing it to J-frame size revolvers. I really like its low weight but it physically is a big gun (L-frame). Hard to conceal.

I don't know its exact weight and have found slightly various references (18.3 to 18.7oz).

The Model 60 .357 steel, 3 in barrel weighs 23.4 oz and has 5 shots.

J-frame 340 scandium .357 come in at 17.? oz, but have pretty short barrels. The .357 mag was designed for 4 in barrels so I think that a short barrel significantly reduces performance.

Does S&W make a J-frame 5 shot .357, 3 inch or 4 inch barrel in scandium? I couldn't find such a creature on S&W's web page, but I could not find the Mountain Lite either.

 

[243winxb]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57769_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
No longer in current production,. A 4" J frame may be available from the custom shop?? http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[gotboostvr]

If they do/did, it's a rare bird.

One thing I've learned is never say never when it comes to variants of S&W revolvers.

Sorry I'm not more helpful, someone with a copy of the S&W catalogue will probably be along shortly.

Edited: or they'll chime in at the exact same time.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The S&W M340PD is 11.4oz and the M&P340 is 13oz, not 17oz.

While you will lose some velocity from a shorter barrel the .357 Magnum will deliver more velocity than the .38 Special regardless of the barrel length.

Personally I'm happy carrying a 15oz M442 in .38 Special.

 

[rcmodel]

If they did, you couldn't stand shooting it!!

.357 recoil in such a light gun becomes downright painful real fast.

Most folks who aren't liers will tell you they soon stepped down to .38 Speciel loads in those ultra light J-Frames after the first few shots with full power .357.

The 25 ounce Ti 329 .44 Magnum sounds good on paper too.
But not after you shoot one once.

rc

 

[243winxb]

What RC said. My 10oz 38 spec. with +P is a hand full. First shot, i though i broke my hand. And i do shoot a lot of 44 mag., M29, the 38 was much worse. Not bad with the M60 at 16 oz.

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[Cycletroll]

I own both the 340 M&P and a 386 Mtn. Lite.
They are both exceptional revolvers but very different in application.

I CCW a 340 almost all the time in a pocket holster. I run 124gr +p Remington Golden Sabers in it. Best overall balance of recoil vs penetration/expansion.
I have fired many full magnum loads thru it and you just don't get enough more performance to offset the muzzle blast and painful recoil. Most Magnum loads are designed to perform at velocities that you just will not get out of a 1.875" barrel.

The 386 gives you more sight radius, more barrel length and a more comfortable grip as well as two more rounds. I can comfortable CCW this gun in a Kydex IWB holster but I predominately use it as a woods gun when I'm trying to keep the weight of my load out down while hunting or hiking in rugged mountainous terrain.
I usually carry 158gr XTP's run at about 1200 fps. Stout but manageable.
I once fired some Buffalo Bore 180gr Hardcast (rated 1300fps but 1180 out of this gun) and yikes! that stung!
The 386 weighs 23oz with a full complement of 7rnds of Magnum ammo.
It's still the most firepower per ounce of any gun I own. It's also really flexible. Nice to run a load or two of snakeshot first as I live in rattlesnake country and can run into snakes as well as cougars in the same hike!

S&W did make a run of 2.5" Alloy centennials but they are hard to find.
For my money the best bet for a handy kit gun might very well be the longer barreled (3"?) Ruger LCR as it has a great DA trigger and good sights as well. I intend to get one soon.

Hope this helps

 

[200Apples]

.
Someone here on THR recently remarked that some of his shooting buddies bring .500 S&W-type hand cannons to the range when they go, so he brings his scandium-framed/cyl .357 snubbie to show these guys what real recoil is like. Reading that one gave me a good chuckle.

For what it's worth, I recently acquired a Model 60-15 (3-inch) 5-shot .357 J-frame Magnum... and after two cylinders of full-tilt magnum rounds I've had enough of that so I'll then practice w/ my .38 Special +P hollerpoint loads I use for personal defensive when carrying this great little revolver. I swapped out the round-butt Uncle Mike's grip it came with for this Hogue Monogrip.

 

[Coop45]

If they did, you couldn't stand shooting it!!

.357 recoil in such a light gun becomes downright painful real fast.

Most folks who aren't liers will tell you they soon stepped down to .38 Speciel loads in those ultra light J-Frames after the first few shots with full power .357.

The 25 ounce Ti 329 .44 Magnum sounds good on paper too.
But not after you shoot one once.

rc

rc is spot on. I got rid of my 340pd. It annoyed my arthritis too much.

 

[paul105]

S&W made a 3” scandium framed, titanium cylinder, adjustable sight J Frame .357 mag, pretty much identical to the current 3” Adj Sight M60 but 13oz vs 22oz. It was kinda hard to come by at the time I was looking for one, but was on my “gotta have” list until I bought a 1 7/8” 340 PD and shot it with full house .357 Mag ammo.

The 12 oz +- .357 Mag is the second most unpleasant handgun I’ve ever shot (which on the upper end include full house .475 Linebaugh and 500 JRH). The most unpleasant was 17.0gr 2400 under a 250gr SWC a S&W M396 (not recommended in this gun and certainly wouldn’t be shot more than once by any sane person). The 396 is the same gun as the 386 the OP is asking about except in .44 Special

I recently sold a 386 3 1/8” 7 shot LFrame .357 mag. It was not nearly as abusive as the 340 PD, but certainly wouldn’t be considered enjoyable with full house 357s.

Also have a 3” Model 60 in .357 with adjustable sights. For me personally, I consider this gun to be the smallest/lightest .357 Mag that is practical for everyday use (not just carry).

Still have the 340 PD and a 360 PD but these are limited to .38 special loads.


Here is some chronograph info for guns with different barrel lengths:

185gr WLNGC (yes 185gr not 158) Beartooth Bullet
Lil’gun
75 deg and 5 long paces from the muzzle

Marlin 18" 1,713 fps
Marlin 18" 1,744 fps
Ruger BH 6.5" 1,388 fps
Ruger BH 6.5" 1,357 fps
Ruger SP101 3+" 1,161 fps
S&W M60 3" 1,175 fps
S&W M360 Ti 1 7/8" 1,023 fps
S&W M340 Ti 1 7/8" 1,007 fps


Some more chrono results for 1 7/8” J Frame

130 Hydra-Shok, Fed Fact, Fed cases, Fed primers, .357 Mag, Fed Fact, 1159 fps
158 CSWC, Add, Mixed cases, Std primers, 13.5, H-2400, 1075 fps
158 JHP - XTP, Horn, Mixed cases, Std primers, 13.5, H-2400, 1009 fps
158 LSWC, Rim Rock, Starline cases, CCI Std primers, 12.7, H-2400, 967 fps
185 LFNGC, Beartooth, WW cases, Fed 200 Mag primers, 14.7, Lil'Gun, 1006.5 fps
180 LWFN LBT, Fed Fact, Fed cases, Fed primers, .357 Mag, Fed Fact, 905 fps
158 LSWHP, Rem Fact +P, RP cases, RP primers, .38 Spec, Rem Fact, 753 fps
130 Fed Am Eagle, Fed Fact, Fed cases, Fed primers, .38 Spec, Am Eagle, 680 fps
158 LRNFP, Meister, Mixed cases, Fed 100 primers, 9.6, Blue Dot, 1020 fps
158 JHP, Remington, Mixed cases, Fed 100 primers, 9.6, Blue Dot, 946 fps



Here’s a picture of the 3 J Frames with after market grips.


.
And one of the 386 PD (top gun in the picture) – Bottom gun is a 3 ½” round butt, Freedom Arms M97 in .45 Colt (w/45 acp aux cyl).
.


Just my opinion.

Paul

 

[Flechette]

I have a 340PD and do not think the recoil with full house .357 is that bad. Sure, you cannot shoot it all day but emptying a cylinder into a target is no big deal.

That is one of the reasons I am looking for a 3 inch barrel (or more) on a light weight gun; I think the snubby loses a lot of performance because the recoil is not as bad as I thought. The bullet can't be coming out of the barrel as fast as a normal full-barreled gun. I do not have a chronograph so I am just surmising based off the recoil. Thanks for the data.

The Mountain Lite looks gorgeous! At 7 shots it is indeed the most shots (.357) per weight of any wheel gun I know of. Now if I can just find one...

 

[antiquus]

I once fired some Buffalo Bore 180gr Hardcast (rated 1300fps but 1180 out of this gun) and yikes! that stung!

I agree the BB is very stout in this gun, and nothing to be repeated. I put Hogue round butt to square grips on it, and it points and feels like an L frame now, but concealed is pretty difficult. Love the gun anyway, it's usually my nightstand gun.

 

[gwpercle]

A 357 magnum in a 12 0z. handgun sounds good on paper, carry and concealment are good, the only fly in the ointment is actually shooting a 357 magnum in a 12 0z. handgun.
Before you buy one , shoot one ....it's something I passed on...really quick.
Let's say it's unpleasant and I'm being kind .
Gary

 

[Buckeye357]

I have a 340 sc and shoot and carry it with 357 mag loads. I shoot it enough to get myself tuned in and then use it as intended to carry. You have to remember that this revolver is not intended to be a 25-50 yard target pistol it is a good light weight carry piece. When if ever you have to really use it to protect yourself I bet it will be at very close range and if you don't carry your firearm because it is to heavy or to bulky what good does it do you left at home in the safe?

 

[robhof]

robhof

My Airweight is down right snappy with heavy 38's, one box of ammo at the range is enough for me, now I also own a DW in 357Max and even with the 6" light barrel it is easier on my hands than the Airweight in 38. I carry because it's accurate, dependable and light/easily concealable. I shoot 357 Max, 45 Colt, and 3030 pistols for hunting and fun all heavier and easier to shoot than that light 38!

 

[HankB]

.357 recoil in such a light gun becomes downright painful real fast.

Most folks who aren't liers will tell you they soon stepped down to .38 Speciel loads in those ultra light J-Frames after the first few shots with full power .357.

I was able to "tame" my 340Sc with .357 ammo by replacing the stock grips with Crimson Trace model 305 lasergrips. In addition to the laser, the grips cover the backstrap with some rubber which makes the gun merely unpleasant - rather than painful - when shooting .357s.

At least for the first couple of cylinders.

"+P" .38 Specials are no problem at all.