S&w 340 Pd

[Dutchman]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Well, the range report continues.

I am dissapointed! I checked for cracks and found that the barrel and shroud had some play in it! Wow, after a couple hundred rounds, and very few 357's. (Because they hurt) I spoke to the store where I bought it and they will send it back to the factory for waranty work. I know it takes a special wrench to tighten the barrel ( and the shroud), but I am concerned that it loosened so quickly. There was about a 1/16 to 1/8 inch play rotating the shroud back and forth. And of course that means the front sight moves back and forth. But no cracks.

I guess I was actually shooting 1/2" groups at 15 yards but the sight must have been moving.

What a bummer. Well, back to my Kimber Ultra CDP and my Glock 27. I guess that's why we shoot our new guns BEFORE carrying them!! I was nervous that I didn't get to shoot it enough but now I've learned to be patient and put several hundred through before carrying it.

I will post and update as my S&W 340PD makes its way through the warranty nightmare.

S&W will make good on the gun. I had to send in a model 627 for some problems with the trigger pull being crunchy. Turns out some of the mim parts were not sufficiently deburred, and the internal lock flag was pressing the hammer against the frame (This is no longer a possibility on this gun, nor my 340). During my initial test firing, I messed up and didn't use blue locktite on the compensator tip and blew it off (my fault).

S&W paid for shipping both ways, and fixed both their problem and my self induced problem at no charge. Total of 6 weeks turn around time.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by Dutchman

The 340 is so lightweight that there is no excuse for not carrying it. The round I have gone to is the Buffalo Bore 158gr FBI load (38+p), as it's very controllable but actually packs more of a punch than the speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr .357
The gold dot short barrel is a round that I really like too, but my local guys always have the Buffalo Bore in stock.

Buffalo Bore: 158gr @ 1000fps from 2" barrel
GDSB : 135gr@ 990fps from 2" barrel

Just my 2 centavos worth on what I have found to be a nice balance of punch and control for me. YMMV

Cheers

My advice is to stay away from the buffalo bore lead rounds except in steel guns... where I think it is a great load by the way... I have seen way too many guns tied up on the 2nd or 3rd round when fired with lead. The scandium and titanium guns are so light they recoil so fast they pull the bullet from the case and allow it to lock up the gun. The BB loads use a good crimp but I would shoot a couple of hundred rounds through MY GUN to be sure it does not lock up on the 2nd to 4th round... I see this on the range regularly with folks shooting lead through their lightweight carry guns.. blaser seems to be one of the worst... now put 1000 fps buffalo bore in the same scenario and you might have problems...

For what it is worth...

[Dutchman]

Originally Posted by El Gato

My advice is to stay away from the buffalo bore lead rounds except in steel guns... where I think it is a great load by the way... I have seen way too many guns tied up on the 2nd or 3rd round when fired with lead. The scandium and titanium guns are so light they recoil so fast they pull the bullet from the case and allow it to lock up the gun. The BB loads use a good crimp but I would shoot a couple of hundred rounds through MY GUN to be sure it does not lock up on the 2nd to 4th round... I see this on the range regularly with folks shooting lead through their lightweight carry guns.. blaser seems to be one of the worst... now put 1000 fps buffalo bore in the same scenario and you might have problems...

For what it is worth...

No worries. I've never had buffalo bore 38+p tie up a cylinder. The most pull I've had comparing pre fireing vs post on the last round was .011" 38+p in a .357 cylinder would have to pull 1/8 of an inch. Ain't happening. Shoot the buffalo bore with confidence since it's 38 special cartridge in a .357 cylinder.

The only rounds I've had tie up the cylinder were all .357. 125gr winchester white box, and some 158gr hydroshok I was shooting for grins and giggles.

[CenterX]

PT -

Your range report was right on with my experience.

I found that +P were even hard after 20 in a row.

I have close to 500 total rounds WWB 38 130g, Remington +P 125gr, mixed with Corbon 357 180g, Win Partition Gold 357 180g - no damage yet.

Well, my trigger finger has been skinned 4 times now. I wrap a band aid on it before I load the 357 rounds, and that keeps the skin on, though the bruise can't be stopped.

But the kick is amazingly hard.

I got a Pachmayr Decelerator grip and that helped a whole lot, even on the mag loads it was almost tolerable. But it was too big for pocket carry, so off it came.

This is a defense gun only "belt to belly" or "coat to chest" - noooo target practice except to qualify.

3 more ounces in the barrel might be nice.

Hope the repair goes well. The Old S&W was great back in the 80's and 90's. I hear the current team is supppper fine.

[Hoser]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Well, the range report continues.

I am dissapointed! I checked for cracks and found that the barrel and shroud had some play in it!

Trade it in for a 642 or 442 and get some cash back. You'll gain a few more ounces, but still very light and the cracking has not been a problem. The slightly additional weight helps the +p recoil be much more manageable.

Sorry to hear about the issues. I know that's always disappointing when you have a gun you really want to like!

[ptbarnacle]

Well, I picked up my 340 PD from the Gun Store today. It came back some time earlier but they didn't call me. I called and it was back from S&W warranty. Barrel feels tight. No tool marks visible or wear noted.

I will shoot it after the weekend. I picked up a box of Remington Golden Saber 38+P. I plan to stay off the 357 Mag for a little bit.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Well, I picked up my 340 PD from the Gun Store today. It came back some time earlier but they didn't call me. I called and it was back from S&W warranty. Barrel feels tight. No tool marks visible or wear noted.

I will shoot it after the weekend. I picked up a box of Remington Golden Saber 38+P. I plan to stay off the 357 Mag for a little bit.

Let us know what you think!!!

I'm thinking seriously about selling my 360PD. I'm only carrying it once every couple of weeks. I think the .380 Gov't would feel the slot just fine.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by 1buba

Let us know what you think!!!

I'm thinking seriously about selling my 360PD. I'm only carrying it once every couple of weeks. I think the .380 Gov't would feel the slot just fine.

I will let you know. I do really like that the 340PD fits in my pants pocket during those times that I am watching the kids play sports or other activities that would be disasterous if someone got a peak at my Kimber CDP IWB. But I hear the .380 Govt is sweet. We need to petition El Dorado to allow more guns on the permits. It would stimulate the economy! I know I would purchase some other guns- Like the Kimber Pro CDP, etc.

I broke down and ordered my first laser, a LG-405 Crimson Laser Grip for the 340.

Shooters Resource: LG405 SMITH & WESSON J-FRAME ROUND BUTT

It will come in sometime this week so I will wait to shoot it till I install the grip. Never really shot a laser equiped gun much. I will report. I am looking forward to using it to practice my double action dry firing.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

I broke down and ordered my first laser, a LG-405 Crimson Laser Grip for the 340.

I wish I had known you were looking for some. I have a set that I would like to unload.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by THE Gimper

I wish I had known you were looking for some. I have a set that I would like to unload.

I wish I'd known I was looking also! I watched a show about the light & laser shooting competition and got a bug in my bonnet for one. Sorry I didn't know also. What model do you have? Why are you unloading it? Were there negatives to a laser that you found?

Oops just saw you're in OC. No lasers on CCW.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

What model do you have?

LG-305

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Why are you unloading it? Were there negatives to a laser that you found?

Oops just saw you're in OC. No lasers on CCW.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Found out after I'd already bought them. If I don't manage to sell them, and I ever decided not to carry my 442, I can put them back on it.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by THE Gimper

LG-305


Ding. Ding. Ding. Found out after I'd already bought them. If I don't manage to sell them, and I ever decided not to carry my 442, I can put them back on it.

I looked at the 305, which would be the ticket for 357 loads. The larger grip would fill the hand and improve felt recoil. I am pocket carrying and I was afraid that the 305 would be a little big. As my friends say, I could lose some weight which would free up some room in my pockets. I love my CDP and the only reason I got the 340 was for the pocket carry. I know the 405 will not feel as good. It was a tough call on which one. I couldn't take a chance. But if I was challenging gravity, the 305 would be the way to go.

[Eirerogue]

I've got the smaller 405 and also carry in front pocket. I really love the setup. I'm using a Mika Pocket Holster.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

I looked at the 305, which would be the ticket for 357 loads. The larger grip would fill the hand and improve felt recoil. I am pocket carrying and I was afraid that the 305 would be a little big. As my friends say, I could lose some weight which would free up some room in my pockets. I love my CDP and the only reason I got the 340 was for the pocket carry. I know the 405 will not feel as good. It was a tough call on which one. I couldn't take a chance. But if I was challenging gravity, the 305 would be the way to go.

I went with the 305 because even shooting .38+P out of the 442 isn't fun. I don't think that it adds too much vis-a-vis pocket carry. If you were closer, I'd suggest we get together so you could try them.

[ptbarnacle]

Since I received the 340pd back from waranty work, I've taken it to the range 3 times. After about 300 rounds of ammo, it is working well. Barrel is tight, and the CT 405 laser grips are great.

Since this was my first snubby, it took a little getting used to. A heavy DAO trigger makes accuracy possible only with concentration. I've been working on pulling until the cylinder is locked up and the sear is engaged, then settling for the final break of the trigger. I was able to print some really nice groups.

The laser doesn't work real well outdoors in bright light. A day at Sac Valley range kept me to using the sights only. It still prints dead on at 15 with fixed sights- red ramp. I ordered red ramp instead of the instock Hiviz front sight. Definately reduces snagging with the ramp.

38+p were very manageble. After a while they too start to hurt the hand a little. For Sigman, trying my 340PD, I told him I alternated the 5 shot cylinder with 38 special, 38+P, and 357 mag. That brought a new meaning to ignoring the expectation of recoil. I don't think he liked that very much. I regularly alternated live rounds and fired rounds in a random patern to help me eliminate flinching. I did this at an indoor range this week and the laser movement at trigger break tells all. Indoor, I was able to print a pretty good groups at 25 yards. Head shots were a sure thing at 15 yards. The laser really shows when you start to wander around the target. The heavy trigger tires out you finger when holing the hammer back in a staged condition.

I really like this gun and would recomend it. First laser I've used and on this gun, I really like it. I have practiced a bunch with 38 specials, threw in some +p and some 357 mag. Not a problem with recoil because of practicing mostly with the lighter loads. I carry it with 357 Mag. I know if I had to use it, the recoil will not be a problem. I am able to get it back on target quickly after each shot. At typical SD ranges, center mass hits can be made from lots of positions with the laser.

I plan on breaking it down and checking out the enclosed hammer and trigger mechanism. I know it could use better lubrication coming from the factory.