Suppressors 357/38 ammo

[1911.it]

I went to the gun store today intending to buy an S&W Model 642 for deep carry. Instead I spent 2X more on an S&W Model 340PD . I'm just glad I don't have to defend these decisions to anyone anymore.

Does anyone here have a recommendation for 357 and 38 ammo for this little guy? Since it can shoot 357 then I might as well use this round for carry. Any 38 +P for carry or 38 Special for target practice ideas? 38 Special could be just about anything so bullet type and weight specifically for this gun is appreciated.

 

[nw911guy]

Re: 357/38 ammo

IIRC Speer made a 135gr. +P for those stubby barrels. That would be my choice. And it was when I used to carry a 340.

 

[noahmercy]

Re: 357/38 ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nw1911guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IIRC Speer made a 135gr. +P for those stubby barrels. That would be my choice. And it was when I used to carry a 340. </div></div>

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">+1000!</span></span>

 

[Bestboss]

Re: 357/38 ammo

I will offer my experiences with an S&W 342 PD. It is the 10.4oz 38. Possibly the lightest one they made to date.
It recommends right on the barrel, jacketed bullets only, as the cast bullets can come unseated during recoil of the light revolver and jam up the cylinder.
During the two or three weekends after it's purchase, I shot some 600 rounds or so, of LSWC's through mine, with not a single malfunction. Not a recommendation, just my experience.
I also mixed in some Winchester Silvertips, Speer Lawman and others, I do not remember. The +P's can be pretty snappy, but after enough shooting, the soft spots in your hand harden.
I returned it to Smith and asked them to align the sights, offering a sample target from my drills.
Upon it's PROMPT return and EXCELLANT customer service, I proceeded to do some additional drills with bowling pins at reduced distances and got pretty good at getting 4/5 and often 5/5 in good time.
It stands guard with Speer Lawman 125gr +P and I suppose they are as good as I can find.
But like most of my defense guns, I have taken the time to learn the firearm. I believe the confidence is well founded and if the bad guys will just wear shirts with bowling pins on them, all will go well.
Larry

 

[nw911guy]

Re: 357/38 ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bestboss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The +P's can be pretty snappy, </div></div>

That may be a smidge of an understatement. But just try full power .357 Mag. In the 340. Brutal is an appropriate descriptor.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bestboss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but after enough shooting, the soft spots in your hand harden. </div></div>

Does the numbness become permanent? Lol


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bestboss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But like most of my defense guns, I have taken the time to learn the firearm. I believe the confidence is well founded and if the bad guys will just wear shirts with bowling pins on them, all will go well.</div></div>

Very valid point. I found myself not training much with the 342 or 340 simply because they were miserable to shoot(more so with the 340). I could hit with them but it wouldn't have been anything to write home about. Unfortunately this thread is re-kindling my love/hate relationship with the 642/342/340 j-frames. And couldn't help the wise cracks.

 

[Downzero]

Re: 357/38 ammo

The gun is supposedly painful with some loads.

 

[RADcustom]

Re: 357/38 ammo

I have two 340PD 357 mags. One for me and one for my wife. We both love them. The only warning I will offer is, if you choose to carry 357's then choose carefully. When testing mine with magnums (PMC's if I recall), after the 3rd shot, the recoil had un-seated the bullet from rounds 4 and 5 past the end of the cylinder and would not allow the cylinder to rotate.

I carry 38+p now for this reason.

 

[LRS76251]

Re: 357/38 ammo

Speer Gold Dot 135 +P in .38 spl Short Barrel load. Thats what I use in mine (340PD). They also make a short barrel load in 357 mag in 135 gr. but the 357 load is still a bit snappy out of the snubby. The .38 +P load is a lot easier to control. I also carry the Corbon DPX 110 gr. 38 spl load. Either .38 spl loads will get the job done if you do your part.

Chad

 

[fasteddie565]

Re: 357/38 ammo

Ditto on the Speers, I practice with blazer 158 grn SJHP, they are not quite as hot.

While it (the 340) is like a fire cracker in your hand, my old S&W 325 Night Guard was the most painful gun to shoot I have ever owned. Much more so than the 340.

 

[operator45]

Re: 357/38 ammo

 

[Buckeye Scott]

Re: 357/38 ammo

I would use a speer gold dot. you can experiment with regular loads and the loads specifically for a short barrel to find what works for you.

 

[nw911guy]

Re: 357/38 ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fast eddie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ditto on the Speers, I practice with blazer 158 grn SJHP, they are not quite as hot.

While it (the 340) is like a fire cracker in your hand, my old S&W 325 Night Guard was the most painful gun to shoot I have ever owned. Much more so than the 340. </div></div>

They make one worse. The 329. I thought I'd put a full cylinder through it, I was wrong.

 

[FWE]

Re: 357/38 ammo

I own the 342PD. It does well with the Speer +P Gold Dots that everyone else recomends. I practice with the cheapest standard pressure ball ammo I can find.

My Fried has the 340PD and carries it with the .357 Critial Defense loads from Hornady. He has had no problems with the bullets pulling from the brass under recoil. Shooting his 340pd is what motivates me to get the 342PD instead, just could not shoot the full power .357 well at all.

 

[deldago]

Re: 357/38 ammo

The only non painful way I have found to practice with mine is to wear a pair of biker gloves with the fingers cut off.It gives extra cushion in the web of your hand.My brother in law has a Crimson trace on his with the recoil pocket buit in and it helps quite a bit.Corbon makes some great loads in 38 and 357 that work without pulling the bullets off the seat.

 

[Jedi5150]

Re: 357/38 ammo

I carried the 340PD as a BUG for about 5 years. I always loaded it with .38 +P's. I figured that since it was made for .357 it could probably fire hot .38's all day long without damaging the gun. I went with Speer Gold Dots as well since that was the duty round we carried in our .40's at the time and I figured it must be a decent quality bullet.

Those 340PD's are a dream to carry but shooting them is more like work than fun.

 

[g3ninfinite]

Re: 357/38 ammo

I made the switch from a 342 to a 340 and now carry a ruger LCR for a bug. Leaps and bounds I tell ya.