Anyone for a J Frame .357?

Narkcop · 06-26-2012, 20:08

I think I'm gonna trade for a S&W 340 M&P .357 tomorrow. I know it will be a bear with magnums. I plan on using Winchester white box 110 grain magnums which should be better than .38 plus P but still managable. Any thoughts?

porschedog · 06-26-2012, 20:21

I have one; hang on when you press the loud button and enjoy!

owl6roll · 06-26-2012, 21:42

I would like to have one. I would be a surprise at both ends!

DeLo · 06-26-2012, 22:05

shoot the 357 or just save the money and get a 442/642. The right grips on it (CT 305s) can help make the 357 rounds not a bear. Gold dot short barrel!!

KentuckyPatriot · 06-26-2012, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narkcop

I think I'm gonna trade for a S&W 340 M&P .357 tomorrow. I know it will be a bear with magnums. I plan on using Winchester white box 110 grain magnums which should be better than .38 plus P but still managable. Any thoughts?

Not sure where you are, but I would be happy to let you shoot mine if you are interested. Great firearm and no need for the .357 mags...I use +P .38 and have no doubt that it will work for me when I pull the trigger.

Let me know if you want to shoot before trading...

Good choice if you make the deal.

ViennaGambit · 06-26-2012, 23:34

Do you really gain much with the .357 out of a J-Frame over .38s+P?

I just don't think the noise, flash and recoil is worth the marginal gain...

But I do have to admit... .357s just_are_AWESOME!

Narkcop · 06-27-2012, 03:53

I'm in Central KY and Bud's has the used 340 and I think it's priced a little high at $639 but I have a no lock S&W 317 that I'm going to trade towards it. I already have a S&W 342 NO LOCK,older Model 60 No LOCK,Model 637 NO LOCK,Model 38 NO LOCK and a Ruger LCR. I just want a little extra power once in a while (maybe Winter for heavy clothing) and I think the 110 grain Winchester is the answer for lower recoil and more power.

paulbow · 06-27-2012, 04:11

My 340 has something to the effect of "do not use with less than 120 (I think) grain loads".

I use Speer gold dot 357 mag short barrel which is slightly more powerful than 38+p. Full power magnums feel like getting hit in the hands with an aluminum baseball bat.

KentuckyPatriot · 06-27-2012, 05:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narkcop

I'm in Central KY and Bud's has the used 340 and I think it's priced a little high at $639 but I have a no lock S&W 317 that I'm going to trade towards it. I already have a S&W 342 NO LOCK,older Model 60 No LOCK,Model 637 NO LOCK,Model 38 NO LOCK and a Ruger LCR. I just want a little extra power once in a while (maybe Winter for heavy clothing) and I think the 110 grain Winchester is the answer for lower recoil and more power.

The price does seem a bit high since I bought mine new (several years ago now) for less than $700...but trading in like you are doing will make it a little less painful.

Based on the information posted by another I checked the manual and found the following quote:

CAUTION:
Do not use Magnum loadings with bullet weights of less than 120
grains - This will reduce the possibility of premature erosion in
titanium alloy cylinders.

I did not see any warning regarding lighter-weight cartridges other than the above...the standard pick your load and fire 4 of 5 and check the final round for unseating or walking of the bullet was the only necessary caution.

I am in Louisville area so getting together for a shooting test does not appear feasible, but you will be getting a good firearm with your trade. In my case I carry either this j-frame or my BG380 for backup and either my Shield 9mm or G36 as my primary...and am quite content to carry both the j-frame and BG380 for a lightweight duo.

Let us know how you like it.

ArtCrafter · 06-27-2012, 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narkcop

...Any thoughts?

Look for grips that direct the burden of recoil toward the palm of your hand (not the tender web between thumb and forefinger).

While this might seem to contradict current 'high-hold' doctrine, it really does not, and it is about the only way one can comfortably shoot the little boomers.

HTH

Narkcop · 06-27-2012, 13:28

The S&W 340 M&P has a steel cylinder and the S&W 340 Sc has the scandium cylinder. From what I've read you shouldn't use lighter weights in the SC but should be ok in the M&P because it weighs a little more and has the steel cylinder.

F_G · 06-28-2012, 08:16

I have a Mod. 60 with a 3 inch barrel in .357 mag and it is actually quite manageable. Don't get me wrong, there's no mistaking when it fires, but I don't think the recoil is bad at all. Just makes it more flexible in my eyes, if you don't like it with magnums, stoke it with .38's.

whitebread · 06-28-2012, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViennaGambit

Do you really gain much with the .357 out of a J-Frame over .38s+P?

I just don't think the noise, flash and recoil is worth the marginal gain...

But I do have to admit... .357s just_are_AWESOME!

135 grain GD Short Barrel .357's chronograph at 1080-1090fps average on ten shot strings with my M&P 340. I am getting a good 220+fps slower with hot .38 +P rounds...even with lighter 124 grain GD bullets.

SDGlock23 · 06-28-2012, 19:55

As a fellow Kentuckian, the 340 is more than a bear to shoot, it literally hurts. I had a 360 then later on a 340, the 360 does have the exposed hammer, but the recoil didn't hurt. The 340 is a different story. The added height at the back of the gun (to conceal hammer) drives in straight into the web of your had and with 125gr and 158gr .357 Mag...it's not fun, hand sore for several days afterwards. I would gladly shoot my .454 over the 340. The recoil isn't so big, it's just like a quick jab and ... ouch.

blastfact · 06-28-2012, 20:43

My wife has a 60 Pro. Yeah it does have a 3" barrel. And it's a joy to shoot full house mag's out of. The wife does very good with the pistol and openly laughs at must wussy men at the range when the whine about there poor hands.

Chup · 06-29-2012, 08:13

LCR 357 with Tamer Grip. I can easily shoot 200 rounds of 125G JHP 357 Ammo in an hour Range Session. NO pain but, I have been shooting 357s for a lot of years.

Narkcop · 07-01-2012, 11:04

My S&W 340 M&P shot great with 110 grain WWB. It was stout with Federal 130 grain rounds.

**janice6** · 07-01-2012, 11:08

My 10 YO Grandson shot 200 rounds out of my Rhino in .357 Magnum and finally got bored. No pain, lots of noise.

smack-o · 07-01-2012, 14:08

I have both the 340 scandium frame with titanium cylinder and the 360 scandium. They are a handfull to say the least. But for carrying the weight is nearly unnoticeable. And lets face it when and if the time comes to use it the adrenaline will be so high the recoil will be the last thing on your mind. For summer carry in shorts there is no other choice for me.

Glock26z · 07-01-2012, 20:49

I have something better than that scandium piece of junk,,,,,, Ruger .357 SP101. Will make a junky scandium S&W melt away inyour hands and carries real nice.

smack-o · 07-02-2012, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock26z

I have something better than that scandium piece of junk,,,,,, Ruger .357 SP101. Will make a junky scandium S&W melt away inyour hands and carries real nice.

Well I would hardly call it junk.....plus I like to not feel weighted down. If I wanted something that heavy to carry id carry my Glock. To each his own I just like the 11oz in my pocket vs the 25oz....they both go bang and are great guns. I had the 360 and bought the 340 because I wanted the hammerless version.

ArtCrafter · 07-02-2012, 01:45

I wouldn't call the Smith & Wesson Ti/Sc guns "junky," either. In addition, the flyweights fulfill some roles that the heavier guns simply cannot.

For example, I prefer to wear drawstring pants indoors. I have a pre-lock Model 342 Airlite with a Clipdraw that hangs nicely on the waistband of those whenever I need check the mailbox or take out the trash. Others tell me that even the two- or three-ounce weight difference between the Airlites and Airweights can be noticed in pocket carry. All I know is, I can't wear a gun belt, much less a 25-ounce all-steel snubby, in what are practically pajamas.

The only thing about the current S&W lineup I don't like is the 'dreaded' internal lock. Massad Ayoob and others have reported instances where it failed. Since it can be avoided, I wouldn't recommend it on a defense gun.

The good news is, you can get a Model 340 with or without the lock. Obviously, I would recommend the latter, and coincidentally that is the subject gun of this thread.

HTH

Narkcop · 07-03-2012, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock26z

I have something better than that scandium piece of junk,,,,,, Ruger .357 SP101. Will make a junky scandium S&W melt away inyour hands and carries real nice.

One nice thing about the SP101 is that if you ever go boating you can use it as a boat anchor

hillbillyhans · 07-04-2012, 00:23

What's the advantage of .357 vs. 38+p out of a snubbie bbl? Doesn't seem like it would reach pressures that would give the user noticable gain.

Chup · 07-05-2012, 13:32

From what I have read, the Trauma Doctors say even from a 2" gun the 357 is devastating. They don't see it much but when they do......... On several Forums that I visit, a number of guys have done chronograph tests and penetration tests and the 357 is faster. Now, all this means nothing if you can't handle the round. I have been shooting 2" 357s for many years and love it. I can also handle The several 357s I carry. Follow up shots are no problem for me. 2" guns are hard enough to shoot well let alone a 357 2". It takes some practice and getting used to. Not for everyone.