SW 340PD ported?

[d'zaster]

It is a superb, potent, and very attractive revolver that shines as a hiking companion.
Stout, lightweight, full-power capable, and easily slips into a jacket or pants pocket.

Pocket carry is my plan

 

[d'zaster]

Please keep us posted. I always worry that I am being a sissy about that gun's recoil. I mean, I don't want you to die or anything, but it would make me feel better if you sprain a wrist or two.

Years ago I shot a T/C pistol chambered in 30-30. Once was enough. Later I shot a S&W 500mag and Ruger 454 Casull. Brutal...once was enough for both guns (I was surprised that the 500 mag recoil seems not as bad as the 454 Casull...). With this 340 PD, I won't be in a rush to fire hot .357 loads but I am confident it will happen

 

[Rexster]

I shoot such ultra-light revolvers only with mild .38 Special ammo, generally target wadcutters. The porting will have little effect at such low velocity.

 

[westernrover]

The short barrel makes the difference. Porting works by gas pressure, so bullet velocity is only related to the second degree. With only a little over an inch of barrel before the port, the pressure at the port will be over 13,000 psi even for MAP that doesn't exceed 38 Special, and even with fast powders like Red Dot, Clays, or N310. With slow/progressive powders, the port pressure will be very high indeed, perhaps over 20,000 psi in a Magnum. Compare these pressures to a high gas volume powder in a 5" barrel where the port won't even see 10,000 psi, not even with Autocomp powder (named for driving compensators), or even Win296/H110. So the port on this snubnosed barrel will have plenty of pressure to work, much more than most guns with compensators. The problem is the port on the end of the short barrel will also have little leverage on the gun. So the problem isn't the velocity or the port pressure, but the port's lack of leverage. Instead of jetting the muzzle downward, all that pressure will mostly just blow up toward the shooter without much downward effect. This is why ports and compensators and muzzle brakes are at the end of long barrels rather than near the breech despite pressures being much higher there.

 

[Tallball]

Nice purchase. A light snubby is a good carry piece for us revolver folk. 38 special hollow points are just fine for SD.

 

[omega5]

I had a 340PD. .38's were ok. But the +P's & .357 on the other hand were decidedly unpleasant.
I have enough experience to know that in combat, you never notice the recoil, but practice
with full house .357's was a carry a lot, shoot only occasionally thing. I traded it to a friend
who wanted it badly, for his S&W60-14 .357 mag and some boot. Much more pleasant to
shoot with my arthritic hands. Mine was not ported but on a gun that only weighed 14.1 oz
loaded, I don't think it'd make that much difference. The extra 10 oz of the 60-14 does make
a difference. Good luck on your purchase. My old arthritic hands hurt bad enough as it
is anymore without purposely causing more damage. Don't shoot magnums in my m29
any more for the same reason.
Dano

 

[halfmoonclip]

For the OP, what grips are on your gun? Mine came with uncommon grippy rubber of some sort, that stuck to the hand just a little too well. Gone to smooth boot grip that works well. Suggestion; try a bike glove for practice.
Also, think about an Alabama pocket rig.
Moon

 

[d'zaster]

Halfmoon, the gun should be arriving at my FFL at the end of the week. It's completely stock. Good idea about the bike gloves. I will check out the Alabama pocket rig. Thanks!

 

[JBozz]

Hey Guys,
I was at the local gunshop and noticed a 340 PD scandium frame 357. It's ported and is very clean.
I know shooting 357 loads will be no fun but I have been shopping for a j-frame revolver for CCW. My questions......
Did S&W produce a ported version of this snubby?
Is this rare and I should jump on it before it finds another home?
If you have one, do you like it? and have you compared ported vs not ported?
Is the 340 PD too crazy and I should just steer clear?

I had a 340 PD for several years. I don't think Smith ever offered a ported one. Mine was so miserable to shoot that I stopped carrying it with 158 grain hollow points and loaded .38 Special +Ps. I have several larger .357s and 2 .44s...S&W 629 3" and a Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5". Of course they are far heavier so they are pretty mild shooting....the 340 PD is the most miserable shooting gun I have ever shot. I paid a bit over $900 for it (pricey Scandium, I guess) and a neighbor offered me $750 for it after I had kept it for around 10 years. I sold it and I don't miss it. In a self defense encounter, with the adrenaline pumping, you may not notice the recoil but it is brutal. If you buy it, invest in some larger grips with something covering the back strap. It's marginally better if you can get another finger on it. You've been warned!

 

[Zendude]

Carrying the 340PD will really spoil you. At 11oz, it makes other snubs feel like they are made out of lead.

 

[d'zaster]

it should be arriving to my local FFL tomorrow. I'll do some paperwork and wait 10 days.

 

[Eugen]

I recently purchased a lightly used 360PD at a gun show and am delighted with mine. Believe folks when they advise of the brutality of using full load 357 at the range. Holy Cow! I tried one cylinder full and that was enough! I even used my gel padded biking glove knowing the monstrous felt recoil from watching YouTube videos. But, with FMJ 125 38 training ammo it was just fine and an enjoyable experience. Accuracy with a 1.875" barrel is humbling even at 7 yds. I plan to pocket carry it. I love this light little revolver and I think you will too. Lastly, I am glad to hear you ditched the ported thing.

 

[d'zaster]

Finally picked up the little monster from my local FFL. Will check it out sometime this week and report back.

 

[d'zaster]

Got out to shoot the 340PD Saturday. Just shot light 38SPL handloads which had pretty stout recoil from this snappy little gun Accuracy was quite good at the distances was shooting the steel targets.
Yeah, full power 357s are gonna hurt....but I'm not in a hurry to experience that. Pulled out another box of 38 handloads for the next outing when I'll be shooting at paper targets to better check the accuracy/precision and grip.

 

[.38 Special]

I got a little twinge in the wrist just looking at that pic!

 

[redcon1]

I have that one. It's a good gun to carry but not a good gun to train with and, although it would be better than nothing, it wouldn't be a good choice for a serious gun fight IMO. It's great for deep concealment and it's a decent left handed/BUG. The lack of a hammer is nice for pocket carry but it precludes the use of a belly band holster or at least my belly band holster. I actually had to pull it once and ever since then I have felt like I'd rather have a Glock if I needed to pull a gun. That being said, it's one gun that I would be very hesitant to get rid of because it does have a niche. I'm thinking about getting another one in fact but the 360 with the exposed hammer. I also want the 351 .22 Mag version.

 

[.38 Special]

I have that one. It's a good gun to carry but not a good gun to train with and, although it would be better than nothing, it wouldn't be a good choice for a serious gun fight IMO. It's great for deep concealment and it's a decent left handed/BUG. The lack of a hammer is nice for pocket carry but it precludes the use of a belly band holster or at least my belly band holster. I actually had to pull it once and ever since then I have felt like I'd rather have a Glock if I needed to pull a gun. That being said, it's one gun that I would be very hesitant to get rid of because it does have a niche. I'm thinking about getting another one in fact but the 360 with the exposed hammer. I also want the 351 .22 Mag version.

I've been carrying a Glock 29 in a chest rig for trail running, which works well enough but is pretty heavy. A 340PD would be ideal, and could probably be carried in a hydration vest, whereas even the subcompact Glock doesn't fit. Lord knows I really don't need to go buying a 340PD, but...

 

[redcon1]

I've been carrying a Glock 29 in a chest rig for trail running, which works well enough but is pretty heavy. A 340PD would be ideal, and could probably be carried in a hydration vest, whereas even the subcompact Glock doesn't fit. Lord knows I really don't need to go buying a 340PD, but...

I've been carrying a Glock 29 in a chest rig for trail running, which works well enough but is pretty heavy. A 340PD would be ideal, and could probably be carried in a hydration vest, whereas even the subcompact Glock doesn't fit. Lord knows I really don't need to go buying a 340PD, but...

I carry a kimber ultra carry in my belly band and an extra magazine. It comes in at 2.49 pounds total weight and it does get to flopping around when I run trails which I do frequently. The J frame would be ideal in this roll but, again, the lack of a hammer makes it undoable with my current belly band holster. My Glock 30 is just a little chunky in this holster but compatible and my 29 has a suppressor attachment device on it which would dig into my abdomen real bad so it's not a real good choice for running. That leaves the Kimber which I'm pretty fond of anyways but, ideally, the 360 or even the 351 would be a great choice for running with a belly band unless there's one that doesn't utilize a top strap to retain the weapon. I am 100% sold on the belly band concept now though and anticipate buying a few more of them. I run with a camel bak frequently and I dont like the idea of storing my sidearm in it. A sidearm belongs on your side, not on your back. But I'm curious about this chest rig you mentioned. What's that all about? And as far as buying a 340PD, I think there are worse things to spend your money on. It's a good gun with a very legitimate reason to exist. It's just very unpleasant to train with. But I have one and I'm talking about buying two more here and I am a Glock guy at heart.

 

[.38 Special]

This is the chest pack I use. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GJZFVHW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details. It was cheap enough that I just kind of took a flyer on it, but it fits me pretty well and holds the Glock 29 like it was designed for it.

This is the running vest I use: https://www.rei.com/product/171390/salomon-adv-skin-12-set-hydration-vest. The chest pack fits underneath it, but the two pockets on the front are big enough for a 340PD and are accesable without removing the pack. They don't fit the Glock, though...

 

[d'zaster]

A quick update: I finally got out to the range w the 340PD to try various 38spl starting & mid pressure hand loads and also some 357 handloads.
Although the mid pressure loads were stout, I had no problem with the recoil. The starter loads were fine as expected. The 357 load was punishing which was no surprise. Cycling a couple cylinders of the magnums was enough (ten).
Next, I will swap with Hogue extended grips and try the magnum load again. I don't intend on carrying magnums but just want to see what is possible.

 

[1KPerDay]

Try 125 grain .357 loads. IME they are merely painful rather than excruciating compared to 158 grain .357 loads.

 

[.38 Special]

I just picked mine up last Friday. I don't even notice it in the running vest. Recoil is every bit as awful as I recall. If it comes down to it, I will have to decide whether to fire it in self defense or just let the mountain lion eat me.

 

[CopperFouling]

I greatly appreciate all the replies.
I decided to go for the 340PD but not the ported gun at the local shop. Got a pretty good deal for a very clean, like new example at $805
Looking forward to practice with various .38 handloads. Taking yall's advice (and warnings) about the .357 loads.

Got out to shoot the 340PD Saturday. Just shot light 38SPL handloads which had pretty stout recoil from this snappy little gun Accuracy was quite good at the distances was shooting the steel targets.
Yeah, full power 357s are gonna hurt....but I'm not in a hurry to experience that. Pulled out another box of 38 handloads for the next outing when I'll be shooting at paper targets to better check the accuracy/precision and grip.

Personally, .38 Special + P is the limit of my ability to shoot the 340 (the cousin of the 360) well.

 

[d'zaster]

New Altamont grips should tame the little monster a bit......

 

[JERRY]

Get one (mine is a 38). Load it with 38s. Its the lightest 38 snub out there, if you can find one.