S&W 340 M&p recoil

[CTarNUT]

So I took a trip to the gun shop this afternoon to look at a m&p 340 and ask some questions. The guy told me that the light frames made the recoil on this gun insane esp with the 357. He said that recoil freaks had brought the gun back because it was too much. This is the first time I have had a salesman talk me out of a sale. I was wondering what you guys had to say about this. I know I have seen that some of you own this gun. I love the look of that model and now im kinda skiddish about buying it. Ill prob end up have to take a trip up to smith and rent one.

 

[tele_mark]

Hey EddieCoyle -- How'd I do Saturday with my M&P 340?

The recoil of this gun is seriously over-rated. Like any handgun that has big recoil, it will hurt when you're new to shooting it. A couple boxes of ammo, and it'll be just be a gun with lots of muzzle flip. I rented one during the S&W tour last year, and after hearing all the horror stories, I rented a 686 too, figuring I'd fire a cylinder or two and have to use the 686 for the rest. I ended up putting two cylinder-fulls through the 686.

When I bought my M&P 340 a few weeks ago, it hurt like hell when I brought it to the range from Carl's to try it. The next day, putting a couple boxes of max load .357's (10.5 grains Blue Dot under 158 JHP's) produced a bad blood blister on my trigger finger. Since then, the gun is no more painful than my 637 was with +p's -- this Saturday I was emptying cylinder after cylinder of 10 grain Blue Dot loads as fast as I could pull the trigger, just for fun. My hand is still attached.

And -- PS -- you can shoot .38's in it -- no rule you have to use .357's.

 

[BillO]

I owned a 340PD for a day or so. For carry, its light and you'll hardly notice it. I think it makes a fine leg holster gun. Shooting it is another matter. If its also going to be a range gun, you might want to look at something heavier like a Model 60. I fired a box of 357's out of my 340PD, and I couldn't wait to trade it in. Sure, you can shoot 38's, but what's the point of having a 357 loaded with 38's? My advice; Try one before you buy.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Hey EddieCoyle -- How'd I do Saturday with my M&P 340?

You did great. Now all you have to do it figure out how to get it so the bullets don't back out.

I'd rather shoot full power 500gr rounds out of my 4" .500 than shoot the 340. At least I can get a good grip on the 500.

 

[Davidk]

The recoil is a bit much. The biggest problem is that when I practice, I like to shoot 2-300 rounds in a session which is pretty much impossible with that light of a gun. Its great to carry, but hard on the wrist. My fav revolver is the 640 which is the full steel version. Much easier on the wrist and easier to control. I don't mind carrying the extra weight

 

[CTarNUT]

The salesman showed me the midweight frame but he didnt know if it came in the black finish that im so fond of. I want it to be my carry gun but I wouldnt buy a gun thatI wouldnt take to the range and shoot. Im not opposed to shooting the 38 at the range and carrying the .357 . Ill have to try them out before i make the leap

 

[tele_mark]

You did great. Now all you have to do it figure out how to get it so the bullets don't back out.

I'd rather shoot full power 500gr rounds out of my 4" .500 than shoot the 340. At least I can get a good grip on the 500.

Oh yeah --I forgot about that part. The little bugger seems to have a sense of humor, and loves to show off it's recoil prowess by pushing the rest of the unfired bullets out of the cases and out through the front of the cylinder, unless you put a ridiculous crimp on the rounds.

 

[jasonj84]

I picked up a 340 PD last week. I love it. It does have some kick with the magnums, but not as bad as I expected after reading reviews online. I have been carrying it since I got it. Like anything else, you can get used to the recoil. It's really not bad wit 38+P.

 

[marvin knox]

I first bought one just to say I had a .357 magnum. I always figured that I'd carry 38's in it. I bought 1000 rounds of 130 gr. American Eagle brand to use as a practice round. I always figured to carry .38 Speer Gold Dot +p's for short barrels.

The Speers are no big deal, although a little sharper than the practice rounds. I got a box of the Speer .357's (they are loaded a little lighter than "full house" .357's). Again, no real big deal - but a little sharper than the 38+p's. I figured that I'd continue to carry the .38+p's.

I've practiced squeezing a couple of thousand times over a few months with the laser dot on the wall at home. (Try practicing dry fire with an automatic far a half hour some time - just one of the reasons I got a revolver.) That teaches a great deal about grip and side pressure etc. I also (on the advice of a guy on the internet) started squeezing a hand/finger exerciser while I watched T.V. every now and again.

I know it seems like over kill. But it's my only gun and I wanted to get good with it.

After a month of not going to the range I went the other day and shot a couple of boxes of ammo. My shooting had improved unbelievably. The muzzle flip and recoil felt was no big deal - unlike the first few times.

A friend slipped me a couple of "full house" .357's and I decided to give them a try. The result? No big deal at all. I bought a box of my own and shot them up.

I can't say that I want to make them my every day practice rounds. But I have decided to carry .357's only, all the time now. It'll just keep getting better over time as far as accuracy and felt recoil.

I complained about the"100# trigger" when I first got it. I even reconsidered my purchase. But a few short months later I wouldn't trade that trigger for all the hair triggers in the world.

I have a friend who carrys his 1911 without one in the chamber because of fear. I have another friend who does the same with his Glock. I have no such concerns.

It takes a concerted effort to squeeze off a round with this gun. I could throw this gun against a brick wall all day long with no concerns about firing a shot. I'll bet that none of my grandkids could even pull the trigger if I let them try. It has a firm trigger pull for good reason. It's a carry gun, pure and simple (including belly band, pocket and purse). The traits that started as question marks concerning my purchase wisdom have become blessings in just a short time.

The bottom line? If the 340 is important to you as a carry piece, you'll probably put a little time in with it "off range" like I do. If you do that, 357's in a 340 M&P will become the perfect carry piece (IMO).

MARV

 

[striped1]

I have and carry a 340CT everyday. The recoil is a little sharp but the CT grips hep a lot. I carry and practice with .38 and not .357.

The trigger does suck. the first thing I did is send it out to have a trigger job. It is much better.

about the 2 friends in above post, sell your guns and stop pretending, you are only fooling yourselves with the empty chamber carry.

 

[Mass-diver]

My Dad owns one. The recoil is crazy with the .357 federal 125gr hps that I put through it. But, it's a very light gun - great for carry.

 

[marvin knox]

Striped1

What did your trigger job consist of?

 

[The Village Idiot]

I looked at one in Riley's and the salesman(?) actually talked me out of it. Wound up buying a Glock 27 instead.

 

[Mike-Mike]

Oh stop it. I'll shoot that bad boy all day.

 

[TY43215]

My 340PD is my daily carry. It is Moon clipped and MagNaPorted. I also have a stainless 38spl cylinder for it for practice because the Ty cylinder gets real hot.

Mine has been abused so much I am considering having it refinished and have a 357MAG stainless cylinder fitted to it. The stainless cylinder adds a small amount of weight but it also allows the spent brass to extract easier.

As far as recoil goes, it is all in what you use for grips.

Edit to add, I also have a smooth workable trigger job on mine that is reliable but not too stiff. I changed the trigger from smooth to serrated to suit my personal preference.

 

[jrbtzx12r]

I have the 340PD with the CT grips. I find the grips are thinner than the regular 340PD grips, and are a bit harder in your hand on the recoil. Shooting .38's aren't bad after you get used to the gun. The .357's are nasty! I'm not sure if it's the CT grips, but every time I shoot the magnums, the center of my hand hurts for the next 3 to 4 days. I've had two other people try it with both the .357's and .38's. They had the same problem. One wouldn't shoot it again after he dumped a cylinder of .357's. LoL.

All in all it will go bang when I want it to, and it's extremely light so it's very easy to carry, and conceal. That works for me. As long as it saves my butt when something goes wrong. I'll worry about the pain when I'm still alive and the other guys is no longer a threat.