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S&W 340
MrGunz22
Member Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭
Anyone own one? I love the size and weight. Nice power in a small package. How's the recoil? I have 2 other 357's but they are both heavy guns GP100's with 6 and 4 inch barrels. They don't kick at all. Anyone have a 340. If so, what model?
Comments
I have the 340PD Scandium. Hammerless with 1.25 (?) barrel.
Bad recoil with 357!
Let us know how manly your hands feel the next morning! Lol
They HURT
CP
This is my carry gun.
I've experienced bullets separating from their casing, and the barrel assembly loosening from the frame. The rubber boots clinged to my jeans pocket, moreover, had a gritty trigger out of the box.
I sent back for a trigger job, a new barrel, and Magnaporting.
Magnaporting will help climb, but not a whole lot on recoil. Flash and noise are greatly magnified, and unburnt powder spits all over the place. The replacement plastic sight sits low enough to miss the paper target all together.
Great carry, but no plinker.
With the Scandium alloy frame and stainless steel cylinder it weighs only a smidgen over 13 oz. It kicks pretty hard with magnums, but not in any way unmanageable.
It is not a revolver to take to the range and shoot for fun, it is a semi-serious defensive handgun in a very small, very light package.
Stoked with .38s it is no problem to shoot for function testing, familiarity and practice. I top it with magnums for carry and the occasional practice/reminder of what it really does.
I carry mine mostly as a back-up in an ankle-rig. There are times (very rarely) that I carry it to the store or elsewhere as a stand alone. A couple speed-strips in another pocket for reloads and viola.
All in all, I love it.
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Apples to apples comparison: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html
And yes, the snappy kick from an ultralight .357 is not fun on the web of the hand. Most of them that I have seen have about 25-50 full-house shots through them before the owner taps out and goes to .38's.
you need to fit the pistol with grips that are right for your hand or you will not enjoy firing it.
I have owned one for about 10 years, only fire 158 gr magnum loads.
a practice session of 20-30 rounds is sufficient if you have a deep experience base. they are not plinkers or "fun guns", but are perfectly suited for personal defense. I have had mine refinished by CCR twice in 10 years, and it is about due for another coating. The factory finish is really the only thing that could be improved on this revolver.
I understand what you're saying, but I humbly disagree on the statement that they'll be going the same speed. While you might be able to tailor a load that wrings max velocity out of a snub .38 that MAY approach a different 357 load in velocity, you're doing an apples to oranges comparison. When apples are compared to apples, I am of the opinion that the .38 won't match the .357 from ANY barrel length.
Apples to apples comparison: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html
And yes, the snappy kick from an ultralight .357 is not fun on the web of the hand. Most of them that I have seen have about 25-50 full-house shots through them before the owner taps out and goes to .38's.
Agreed. I chronoed 140 gr hornadys from my 2" .357 (S&W 327PC) at over 1150 fps (average around 1130 fps). I've never seen published .38 spl numbers anywhere near that from a 2" barrel.
I am tiring of carrying my SIG P220, and would Love to have a 340. Anybody wanna sell?
I'm aware that most of you you what I am about to say, but some may not.
You only need two things: 1)Reloader (Use a friends if you must.);and darkness at night.
Load 5/6 .357 mag. shells.(Medium to heavy load)
Load 5/6 .38 spc. shells. (Medium to heavy load)
Nail two (2)targets up, and step back 15 ft.
Shoot the .357 first at one target; then shoot the .38 at the other target.
TRUE FACTS: The fire in front of the muzzle was "Burning gun powder" pushing nothing.The .357 may flame out as far as 24 inches, while the .38 only flamed out 4 to 7 inches.
Once any bullet leaves the barrel to starts to lose power. The fastest burning powder will not bring the .357 up to maximum velocity. However, with a change to fast burning powder, the .38 will come close to its maximum velocity.
In short, with the same bullet weight, both bullets are moving at the same speeds.
Thanks for posting this scenario - I have a buddy that insists on caring 357's in his snub nose. On our next trip to the range I will ask him to bring his crony and if possible I will post some results. In the mean time I will try and get several sets of each loaded. Great post IMO.....Thanks Mark