CougarRed
08-21-2004, 09:54
I purchased the 11 oz 342PD in January for concealed carry and self-defense.
I guess I got one of the last ones, because I don't see the 342 on the S&W website anymore. The 340 is available, but why you would ever want to shoot a .357 out of an 11 oz gun is beyond me.
Since many self-defense situations occur at night, I wanted aid in night aim. After not finding a good night sight option, I decided to splurge on a laser.
The laser is helpful in all except the brightest lighting. In addition, the laser is theoretically quicker in target aquisition since the gun can be fired reliably from the hip if need be. Finally, the laser has another side benefit of intimidation - when the target notices the red dot on him.
I added the rubber overmolded CT LG-305 grips to the gun. I chose the larger grip over the LG-205 because I read the larger grips made the scandium gun much more tolerable to practice with. I am happy to report the articles were correct. Still not a "joy" to shoot, but bearable.
There is a small trade-off on concealability with the larger grip. But the 342 with the LG-305 grip conceals well in the pocket of the slacks I wear to work.
Turns out, S&W later offered the 642 (4 oz heavier) with the same overmolded CT grips. They also offer a night sight option too.
I have calibrated the laser at 30 feet. The laser sits an inch below the midpoint of the barrel, and half an inch to the right. I know that at targets closer than 30 feet, the laser will be pointing low and to the right of bullet entry. At targets greater than 30 feet, the laser will be pointing high and left of the point of entry. Since I doubt I will ever fire the gun at targets over 60 feet away, I am confident that my laser will be pointing within 1.25" of impact.
The only other way to calibrate is to make the laser parallel to the barrel. That way, the laser always points 1 inch low and 0.5 inch right of impact.
I guess I got one of the last ones, because I don't see the 342 on the S&W website anymore. The 340 is available, but why you would ever want to shoot a .357 out of an 11 oz gun is beyond me.
Since many self-defense situations occur at night, I wanted aid in night aim. After not finding a good night sight option, I decided to splurge on a laser.
The laser is helpful in all except the brightest lighting. In addition, the laser is theoretically quicker in target aquisition since the gun can be fired reliably from the hip if need be. Finally, the laser has another side benefit of intimidation - when the target notices the red dot on him.
I added the rubber overmolded CT LG-305 grips to the gun. I chose the larger grip over the LG-205 because I read the larger grips made the scandium gun much more tolerable to practice with. I am happy to report the articles were correct. Still not a "joy" to shoot, but bearable.
There is a small trade-off on concealability with the larger grip. But the 342 with the LG-305 grip conceals well in the pocket of the slacks I wear to work.
Turns out, S&W later offered the 642 (4 oz heavier) with the same overmolded CT grips. They also offer a night sight option too.
I have calibrated the laser at 30 feet. The laser sits an inch below the midpoint of the barrel, and half an inch to the right. I know that at targets closer than 30 feet, the laser will be pointing low and to the right of bullet entry. At targets greater than 30 feet, the laser will be pointing high and left of the point of entry. Since I doubt I will ever fire the gun at targets over 60 feet away, I am confident that my laser will be pointing within 1.25" of impact.
The only other way to calibrate is to make the laser parallel to the barrel. That way, the laser always points 1 inch low and 0.5 inch right of impact.