I have the M&P 340 set up with a Harry's Holster. I'm pretty accurate under 21 feet and really don't think the recoil is too bad with .38 or even plus, albeit I did shoot a few .357's and yeah, not for me. It's a great gun for what it is, it's super light, easy to conceal, great for certain carry scenario's. I'm either carrying my 340 or my P365.

Single most unpleasant gun I ever shot, and I’m a big fan of j frames.

One of the best carry guns out there.

.357 is not needed, in my opinion. Find a stout .38+P load like HST or Gold Dot short barrel.

Recoil is not THAT bad. I always shot a perfect score with mine during qualifications. I outshot 20 officers shooting P226 9MM pistols with mine. The range instructors were incredulous.

Maybe consider something like a 640 Centennial if you are going to carry it in an on-the-belt holster.

Although it's ~2x the weight of the 340PD the recoil from a reasonably loaded .357 SD round is not too bad (from my personal experience, and on scale relative the lighter 340PD).

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I just looked and both the 340PD and 360PD are on the roster so if your so inclined you could get one after you lose your exemption. I recall that I once had an M&P 340 years back for a short time. It was nice and light but I shot my 642 better. I sold the M&P 340 to a CHP officer.

As someone else suggested, you might want to pick up a P365 while you can. I picked up two yeas ago before I punched out. I subsequently sold one but I carry the remaining one much more than my 642. Good luck!!

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
Single most unpleasant gun I ever shot, and I’m a big fan of j frames.

Yes, the physics is undeniable.

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:
One of the best carry guns out there.

You bet, Carrying it is a breeze.

Hell, I don't even like +P .38 Specials out of my Model 638.

I get the feeling, though, that if you ever had to defend yourself with a 340 loaded with full-power .357, you might just barely notice the recoil. Your brain gets more selective in times of crisis. Of course, you have to manage to hold on to the thing, too.

It seems to me that the 340 calls for more thoughtful grip selection than any other J frame.

Hey, do you know what is fun to shoot out of a sub-12 ounce revolver? .22 LR and .22 Magnum.

I've got a 340PD M&P purchased used in a LE shop in Kansas city in late 2019 early 2020. When I got it the trigger was broken in or had been replaced with a spring kit and its nice and smooth with a pull weight probably under 10 pounds. I would expect a new one to have a heavier trigger pull. I've put around 500 rounds through it, including 130, 125 and 158 .38 SPC from Federal, Aquila, Magtech, PPU and Speer. I had an issue with a couple 130 gr LRN (Aquila) that jumped their crimp and stopped the cylinder. There is a noticeable difference between 125/130 gr .38 SPC and 158 Grain .38 SPC. I have not shot .357 through it. I did get to shoot a box of the Federal 130 grain +P P38HST1S through it. It was very accurate and had minimal felt recoil, less then a .158 gr MAGTEC FMJ.

I found the grips made a significant difference in felt recoil and controllability. I tried the stock grips, Hogue tamers, Pachmayers Compacts, before settling on a pair of Crimson trace LG-305.

It carries like a dream. While the LGs preclude pocket carry for me, the 340 is great in an AIWB or OWB holster.

I have concerns about long term wear as I am not seeing any signs besides a groove in the recoil shield from the cylinder stud.

I will say that it has me interested in the .22 version.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
I will say that it has me interested in the .22 version.

The 351C is a gem.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
I will say that it has me interested in the .22 version.

The 351C is a gem.

What is the trigger like on the 351c?

The .22s are indeed excellent. I almost sprang for a 43C at the LGS a couple of visits back, but had other projects in the works and just couldn't justify the cost at the time. I love my 3" 63-5...an airweight centennial version would be sweet.

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:
What is the trigger like on the 351c?

Very heavy, but smooth once it's been shot a bit. Because you can stage the trigger, you can make better hits than you'd think you could with a small revolver and a heavy DA pull.

As "kit guns" go, the 351c is an excellent choice.

These ultralight rimfire revolvers need to be sprung on the heavy side to make sure they get a good firing pin strike on the cartridge rim.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:
What is the trigger like on the 351c?

Very heavy, but smooth once it's been shot a bit. Because you can stage the trigger, you can make better hits than you'd think you could with a small revolver and a heavy DA pull.

As "kit guns" go, the 351c is an excellent choice.

These ultralight rimfire revolvers need to be sprung on the heavy side to make sure they get a good firing pin strike on the cartridge rim.

Thank you.
Presumably the 351c and 43c have pretty much the exact same long hard pulls?

I'd imagine so.

I have both, like Para said, the triggers are long and smooth.

I have a 340sc bought it when they first came out. I also have a 442 it's hard to not love these guns. The 340 is carried more and I've done the 357 thing at the range. My opinion is for follow up shots and potential night blindness from flash I stick to +P 38's for carry. Medium velocity 357 loads are more manageable but hits and follow up shots are a bit more important than being Mr Manly and torturing yourself needlessly.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Genorogers:
I have both, like Para said, the triggers are long and smooth.

Thank you.

I carried a Model 342 (.38 Special) as my backup gun for years before retiring and it was one of the first guns I sold after I retired. Yes, these were comfortable to carry, BUT even shooting standard velocity ammunition was an extremely painful exercise. I'd have to shoot maybe 15 rounds for qualification and I'd feel the pain in my palm for hours.

There's some really nice .380 ACP semi-autos available that I'd go to before restricted to the "approved list", including the Ruger LCP Max. The Max is smaller overall than the S&W J-frame, flatter, has an ELEVEN round (vs FIVE) capacity, an excellent set of sights and a trigger at least as good as any of these small revolvers. I carry mine in a Mika pocket holster and it's every bit as easy to tote as a J-frame.

My 43C has a very heavy trigger. It also feels like nothing when fully loaded and even with that trigger I can hit what I’m aiming at very quickly with 8 rounds. They did a good job with the XS dot and trough rear sight.

An observation from shooting on indoor ranges. I sometimes get at little glare of the the XS front sight, when I'm in a lane with an overhead light. On out door ranges or with the light turned off, I don't get any glare. it's not enough to cause issues, just noticeable.

I pulled my 340 out of the safe and threw it into a nemesis pocket holster with some dummy rounds. It disappears into the pocket (depending on how tight your pants are) and you can barely feel it.

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:
What are your thoughts on the Smith and Wesson 340 PD? Or even the 360 PD?

Take this for what it is worth. In years past, on the Smith & Wesson Forum, I have read about issues with flame cutting on titanium cylinders and recoil shaking loose bullets causing the revolvers to jam. Reliable reports of these problems seemed to have been restricted to lighter grain bullets in .357 magnum rounds shot out of titanium cylinders.

If you absolutely need or want the lightest j-frame revolver possible, I would not let these reports dissuade you from purchasing a 340 or 360 PD. I would just be cognizant that the reports exist and perhaps choose a .38 special +P round instead of a .357 Magnum round for carry purposes.

Personally, if given the choice, I would opt for the greater durability of the steel cylinder of the 340 M&P over the 1.5 oz. lighter weight of the titanium cylinder 340 PD.