I’m considering picking up a S&W 340 to a pocket gun for those times you’re going somewhere “safe”. My options here in CA are limited, thus the reason for the 340.

Anyone out there own one, if so what are your thoughts?

I know shootability sucks, but anything else?

Thanks

Had one and loved it. Sold it just cause of finally being replaced by a p365. If it wasn't for that I'd still have it, and still occasionally pocket carry during the summer when just in gym shorts.

Is the m&p340 on CA's roster vs the 340pd or considered the same by the roster? I would recommend the m&p version. It's only 2 ounces heavier but you get a tritium front sight that stands out. Would also recommend putting an apex spring kit and ext firing pin in it. Was reliable, simple, and just cleaned up the rebound slide at the same time.

Should also add, mine came with the internal lock when I bought it years ago. They are simple to disable. Can also completely remove it and have an empty hole or get a filler piece for the hole.


You'll love it and won't regret it.

I have a 640 Pro and a 360J (Scandium frame, steel cylinder, .38+p). I bought the 360 back when S&W was selling them off cheap, and I love it. Over the years, I've also gained an appreciation for the centennials as a pocket gun...no hammer to snag like the traditional guns, and no channel to fill with lint like the bodyguards. The shape just guides it right out of the pocket. My 640 rides in my pocket daily.

I'd love a 340, and if I ever come across the right deal I'll grab one up, but I just can't see spending $1000 for a gun that is less shootable, less durable, and has inferior sights compared to my 640 just to save a few ounces...especially when the 640 is pretty carry-able as-is.

I’ve got a 360 pd, it’s a joy to carry, it’s brutal to shoot. I have put a total of 5 .357 thru, many many .38s though. I wanted the 340 when I got this but they were non existent around here at the time, mine has the fiber optic front sight which I’ve seriously been considering switching to a night sight. I have nothing bad to say about it at all, it serves my purpose very well. I purchased an extra hammer to “bob” it but haven’t got around to it yet. I typical shoot it double action and the DA pull is not bad at all, I’d venture to guess the 340 would be very similar to a 642 or 442 trigger wise. I’m a huge fan of the J frame, as someone else suggested I might be more inclined to look at the 340 M&P if is was looking today. I just picked up another 642 unfired for 3 bills, I may install an extra titanium cylinder I have in it but haven’t decided yet. If you go into tge 340 with the expectation of it being a carry a lot/shoot a little you’ll be happy with it

I keep coming back to the j frame for pocket carry. Right now its the 638. I also have an all steel 640-1. I have had pretty much every j frame model/variant including the 340. They have all been great. If you are committed to a 5 Shot revolver for pocket carry the 340 is an excellent choice. Btw, I am also a big fan of the Ruger LCR to fill that roll. I don't happen to have one right now, but will likely pick one up again at some point.

I have a 340PD that I carry fairly often. It’s actually one gun I used to ward off a threat. Out west I dispatched a snake with one shot, center neck. I didn’t have time to get the snake shot out.

My gun has never seen a 357 round, 38s of various loadings are enough.

I have a 360PD. It's loaded with the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 Magnum rounds. It's not pleasant but I'd consider it shootable with this load, just a bit hotter than the same round in 38 +P.

Had one for several years until the P365 took over for it. Yes it’s heavier in the pocket, but I don’t mind.
Carried 357’s in it which as reported were brutal, then I did some real world testing with the CorBon rep, and switched to 38’s after that.
Sold it off a little while ago. Don’t regret it as I still have 2 j frames, but it easily the best pocket or ankle gun I ever had.

Ahhh the RONCO carpel tunnel accelerator kit.

In case it hasn’t been mentioned .357 is, well I imagine if you pull the pin on a grenade and then throw the pin.

My take on them is they are great super deep concealment “get off me” guns but beyond that of very limited use. I personally prefer a more pedestrian .38 airweight like a 442/642 etc.

After owning many a Smith snub, I went LCR and have not looked back. Superior trigger. And the price for one has gone through the roof.

I've got a 640-2 in .347 and a 642 in .38 Special. If you want to shoot .357 get the steel framed 640. If you want a lightweight pocket pistol get the 642. I've shot the 340 with fun house 125gr. magnum loads. One cylinder was enough. I can manage the 640 with magnum loads but the 340 is a little too much for me.

340 is the best quality little j-frame that I ever owned but.....it was so lightweight....to date I rate it as the nastiest gun that I have ever fired (with 357)....far worse than a lightweight Tompson Contender slim barrel in 44 mag.

I love the little J frames. I have the 340 (no internal lock) version. Scandium frame but steel barrel and cylinder. XS tritium front and U notch rear.

Great gun. Lightweight. I’ve never shot 357’s out of it and never plan to. I have a couple stainless steel J frames, 640 Pro and 649. They suck shooting magnums I can only imagine the pain 5he 340 would cause. I bought the 357 version though because I do believe in options.

Even with 38’s I shoot less than a box at a time. It’s a gun that it’s ok not to shoot too much. I have the 43c (22lr) with which I practice the format. You can shoot that all day.

Who cares though. You don’t buy a 340 as a range toy. It friggin excels tucked into my waistband. You hardly know it is there.

Get one with confidence. I don’t like the PD because I don’t like the 120 grain limit. I know I would never use that anyway but the 340 MP version with no lock and tritium/U gutter sights is the best of breed in my mind.

I had an M&P340 years ago. Liked the weight but didn’t like shooting it. Since I already had a 642 and model 36, I sold it to a CHP officer who was looking for a backup gun. I can’t remember if it was or is on the roster. I got mine when I was exempt.

I bought a 640-1 a couple months that I’m really liking. Magnum rounds are very shootable with it, but I carry Speer 135 grain +Ps. I’m carrying it in a cheap Galco IWB Stow & Go holster but yesterday treated myself to a Lobo Gun Leather IWB offset belt clip holster. 15 week wait though.

quote:

Originally posted by savoy6:
I have a 360PD. It's loaded with the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 Magnum rounds. It's not pleasant but I'd consider it shootable with this load, just a bit hotter than the same round in 38 +P.

You have good taste. That's my favorite J-Frame load as well. Very shootable yet decently potent, and I feel like it leverages the short barrel length pretty efficiently. The low flash powder actually works pretty well in the dark, too. I just wish it was more readily available...I haven't seen it for sale anywhere since pre-covid.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
After owning many a Smith snub, I went LCR and have not looked back...(

Which has less recoil with std 38 rds, 642 or LCR?

I rarely carry - or shoot - my 642, I'm now considering the LCR model 5401.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,

My local gun range had one when I first got into shooting about 15 years ago.

I rented that and purchased a box of .38 Special FMJ and fired the entire 50 rounds.

My hand hurt for a week.

After I told a coworker, he was like “that was stupid, you only are supposed to shoot a cylinder or two through that thing at a time!”

I used to have a S&W 342 Airlite Ti that was hard to shoot with 38s. No 357 allowed, it was strictly for 38 special, or +P. But boy was it easy to carry. I traded it off and bought a 642, put in the Apex kit, Crimson trace green laser, and I am happy with that.

My 340 M&P has the top strap/groove milled incorrectly and it shot about 18” to the right at 15 yards. And the tritium vial came loose in the sight. Sent it back and they supposedly adjusted it and said it was “in spec”. Now it only shoots about a foot to the right. I don’t carry it. I keep it for people to try. After a few shots of heavy .38s or one shot of .357 they usually say “nope” and I put it away.

^ That's always my concern with fixed-sight guns...that I'm going to get one that has improperly regulated sights and not be able to do anything about it. I do like their snag-free profile for carry, and thankfully I've been lucky with my Smiths so far and haven't bought a bad one. That has not been the case with a couple of cheap .22s. My son's Wrangler was off, and I just shot a Heritage Rough Rider the other day that had similar issues.