Sidearms & Scatterguns 340PD Who's got one, what to expect?

[ahhshoot]

My 340pd no-lock just shipped and I'm elated.

I've heard not to use lead cast bullets as the recoil can unseat them causing a jam, so I will heed that.

Also not to use less than 120gr bullets, as indicated on the barrel.

Anything else that I might not expect to find?

I'm anticipating, obviously, quite brutal recoil with real .357 loads considering the 11oz weight. I intend to carry some light .357 loads, but still exceeding .38+p. I am not recoil averse, at 6'3" 225 pounds, but I'm sure the little guy will be snappy as hell.

I don't intend to shoot .357's with it for practice, except maybe one group of 5 to get the feel of it. I'll use .38's for that.

I have ordered buffalo bore's short barrel load which is a moderately light .357 with low-flash and reduced recoil, but still supposedly 1200 fps or so out of the snubbie with 125 grain hollowpoints. Not sure I'll run those, just have to see how brutal she really is.

I carry a 438 in my front pocket and this gun will replace it. The 3 oz difference was actually surprisingly noticeable when I held them side by side.

Anything else I should know?

 

[strikeeagle1]

It's a great little gun. I have a 340CT (crimson trace), purchased in 2015. I removed the internal lock, completely polished all the internals, Apex duty spring kit( 8 lb main spring / 13 lb rebound spring). Currently have 1355 rounds down range. Easy to conceal in a front pocket (Safariland #24 holster) or on the hip with Safariland ALS retention.
Lots of other holster options, Elite Survival (front pocket), Galco leather, etc.; even a Blackhawk CQC Serpa - heresy !
Lock mechanism and Autopsy photos included.

I find most of these J frame's easier to shoot with one hand than two, either strong hand or support hand only.
First range familarization target practice shown with .38 148 gr WC's, support hand only. It's plenty accurate.
25 defense rounds of .357 @ a time is plenty of mid-palm massaging.

Those interested in knowing more about the debate surrounding internal revolver gun locks, specifically the MP340, will appreciate Massad Ayoob's blog discussion here:
https://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/internal-gun-locks/comment-page-1/

 

[spaniel]

You can expect it to hurt with full power loads. I have the 329PD, and with full power loads, one cylinder is about all one wants to shoot. It's like having someone swing an aluminum bat into your hand. It's just incredibly sharp.

Never shot that one, but those who have and have shot my 329 say the 357 is worse....

 

[SkyScrapin]

I rock a 340PD daily and have done so for many years. As stated above, 357 loads are far from enjoyable. I carry and shoot 38 specials instead. i use a galco grip holster and carry it inside the waistband. Maybe it’s another brand.. but it’s just a small loop that replaces the factory grip that allows you to carry inside the waist without the added material of a conventional holster.

 

[Pinmaster]

I pocket carry a 340pd. I put larger wood grips on mine and full 357 loads a tolerable. It's definitely not a range gun, but an awesome carry piece imo.

 

[ahhshoot]

Thanks all. And my intended use is for it to sit in the pocket as an EDC. I felt as if I had betrayed logic a bit by spending thousands on precision guns and AR’s and somewhat ignoring an improvement on the one gun I actually have with me every day. At least that’s how I justified it. After feeling the weight and how it disappears in the pocket, I was sold. I have plenty of range time with my 438, and have always oddly felt very good shooting the little j frames, so when it comes time to brush up on some practice I’ll use .38s except for a cylinder or two of 357 as some of you suggested. I also appreciate the tips on the holsters, I’ll do a little research on those and get back with any questions. Thanks again

 

[loboman7x57]

I have a 340sc and yes it stings a bit with 357 loads, its actualy not bad at all with 38 loads.

 

[Strykervet]

Where'd you get a no-key? I got mine when it first came out, the post on the flag was the first thing I shaved off. So mine has a lock but it doesn't work (and won't jam). A problem with locks on these is the recoil is so fierce they've no shit been known to self-lock under recoil. Could you fucking imagine that? Geez. That damn lock.

So I carry it daily, have since I got it. Even if I don't carry the G27 IWB I still have this. Keep it next to the bed, it's ALWAYS within hands reach. Smith only makes one pistol lighter and that's the all aluminum .22 317 and it's only one ounce less. It's so light, I've literally forgotten I was carrying it on more than one occasion. I pocket carry it, but I'd recommend a pocket holster because the front sight wears through even the toughest material over time. I don't follow my own advice here though. Don't carry anything else in that pocket!

Being light it has one caveat. The fucking recoil. It's not recoil like you are accustomed to either, it's more like a shockwave that jars bones. It "vibrates" more than recoils. It's caused serious problems for some people, some that insist on firing lots of high power loads have wound up with permanent nerve damage. I used to keep mags in it for carry only, then decided I'd just leave short barrel 130gr. Gold Dot Specials in it (best load for it I've found so far). They work well enough and those +P's have more than enough recoil in this revolver. It's nice to be able to have the option of mags though. I carried and fired some 125gr. GD mags, pretty brutal. The 158's were damn painful.

When I first got it, when it first came out, I fired some custom N110 handloads, 140gr. XTP over something like 17gr. if memory serves. They'd clock 1700fps out of a 6" 686+ but they blew out the face of the cylinder on the 340PD. One thing they should put in the manual is to NOT fire loads that use slow charges like that because it damages titanium. Smith fixed it and I had it back in less than a week, so great CS. Never had another problem with it, but never fired any magnum loads with N110 again either!

I think of it a lot like the Rorbaugh 9mm, "carry a lot, use a little". It's good close range revolver, a good backup for sure and it is light enough to ensure you NEVER have to go unarmed. You can practice with it, but you won't be wearing it out anytime soon. Great revolver, a must have IMO.

 

[264win]

I would second the advice above, use appropriate ammo and practice (mostly) with 38 spl.
The 340 pd is my favorite carry pistol, yes recoil is Very sharp with magnum loads but at least for me they are easy to shoot accurately, easy to carry and very reliable.
Enjoy your new wheel gun.

 

[Winchester59]

I have the no-lock version and have carried it daily for years, usually with +P hollow points. Recoils with magnum loads is tolerable, but I don't do it more than a cylinder full at a time. My normal holster is a D.M. Bullard custom cross-draw (OWB) or front pocket of 511 pants in a Desantis synthetic pocket holster. I have both the 43C and the 351C versions of this revolver and enjoy plinking with them. Amazingly accurate revolvers for their size!

 

[ahhshoot]

Well the pistol came in Thursday and it's incredibly light just as expected. I ordered a hogue lamo camo one-piece wood grip, a large-dot tritium front sight, and a carry clip. It will go in for a trigger/action job next week sometime by the smith who has done two of my other j-frames.

When I first got the gun, it was quite tight. But, after some light lubrication, and a couple hours of working the cylinder in and out and dry firing, it's functioning like a nicely broken-in pistol.

After a few days, and many times working the cylinder in and out of the frame, the thumb-release button screw had backed out causing both pieces to end up on the floor. Thankfully, I found them, and snugged them down real tight with some loc-tite. It hasn't budged since. Still, I felt a little disappointed that Smith & Wesson didn't think to loc-tite, or secure this more properly before the gun left the factory, especially considering the price tag.

That's my only complaint, so far.

I've shot about 100 rounds of plinking 38 special loads out of it, and, what can I say, it shoots like a J-Frame (I've always got along with them). The .357's, while stout, are not as bad as I thought they would be, but this is coming from a guy who owns a 10 gauge sawn-off SxS.

I shot about 10 Golden Sabre 125 grain, and 10 buffalo bore 125 grain. I would not want to shoot more than 20-25 in a day of the .357, I was starting to get a little shaky from the repeated abuse.

I will only use .38 from now on to practice with, but I see no issue carrying .357s, with a fresh hand, shooting them one-handed quickly is not a problem for me.

It is with me at all times now. Thankfully even in Florida where most of my home time is in athletic shorts, I can wear this gun with the clip in the waistband and it's light enough not to pull them down.

Usually down here, we have to be happy with an ultralight .380 semi, but they are prone to getting clogged with lint and other debris in the pocket so I never liked that route. This allows for a gun that is just as easy to carry, not prone to failure from pocket debris and has more than enough firepower for any reasonable situation.

I have ordered 1,500 rounds of ultra cheap .38 plinkers for this gun, to practice shooting it from the hip and many other positions that do not allow a sight picture to be obtained, since I do believe I'll be spending years with this gun by my side I'd like to be proficient in any reasonable scenarios.

 

[ahhshoot]

Where'd you get a no-key?

Online at Bud's-best price I could find and no sales tax.

I wanted to give the business to my local gun shop. I told them if they could come within $30 I would pay the extra plus the tax to use them, and they couldn't so...