M&P 340 .357 Magnum

[TGO David]

Last week I traded in my Smith & Wesson #442 J-frame for an M&P #340 J-frame. I finally had a chance to shoot it some today, so here are my thoughts:

Pro

• Same dimensions as my #442
  
• Great pocket gun or backup gun
  
• Love the XS 24/7 front sight
  
• 5-rounds of .357 Mag should be a nice show-stopper
  

Con

• Short grip really magnifies the kick of .357 Magnum rounds
  

I shot about 20 rds through it today using full-house 135gr magnum loads. Also shot about 10 rds through it using lighter .38spl +P loads. I really couldn't tell a significant difference in terms of muzzle blast between the two but the magnum rounds had significantly sharper recoil.

I have heard some pretty silly statements about the experience of shooting .357 Mag through the 2" J-frame. I'm happy to say that none of them seemed to have much truth to them. To me at least.

Example:

Shooting a .357 Magnum from a J-frame is like taking your open hand and slapping concrete as hard as you can.

Um, no. Concrete hurts. The magnum loads stung, but nothing like the exaggerated statement above. Granted, I don't plan on doing an extended shooting session with magnum loads but they were maybe half-again as "harsh" to shoot as the .38spl +P laods were. Not something to worry about and certainly not something that you're going to notice when the adrenaline is surging during a life or death situation.

Oddly enough, I noticed that I felt less recoil in my hand when shooting one-handed, left or right hand, than I did when shooting two-handed. Maybe I get a better purchase on the grip single handed or maybe I'm imparting more of the recoil to my forearm with a one-handed stance. Whatever the case, the revolver is actually more pleasant for me to shoot one handed.

Which is good, of course, since as a backup gun it is actually more likely that I would shoot it one-handed using my weak hand anyway.

Obligatory gun porn:

[Guest 70below]

she's purdy!

[Guest .45Jon]

Nice..J frames are the stuff...to bad I don't have mine anymore...I never tried shooting one handed with it though, I always tried to have a tight 2handed grip in it.

[TGO David]

Thanks for the compliments. I have to admit that after the first cylinder of magnum rounds two-handed, I was a bit hesitant to let one loose with one hand. After I tried it, I was shocked at the fact that it felt better one-handed.

It was a really odd experience.

[Guest .45Jon]

I think its lighter too if i'm not mistaken...dunno if you'd think it's a pro or con.

[deerslayer]

Just load it full of Cor-Bon .357--doesn't matter if you hit the thug or not, the Cor-Bon out of a snub nose will serve as a flash-bang grenade...

[Kegger]

Glad you like it David.

Feel free to come pick up more, lol.

[TGO David]

Glad you like it David.

Feel free to come pick up more, lol.

The NG 327 would make an excellent compliment but I think a compact 1911 for my wife is more likely to happen first.

[Guest Grout]

Nice gun.

[TGO David]

Nice gun.

Thanks. The base of my right thumb is smarting pretty good tonight from where I locked the 340 into a tight two-handed grip. I think single-handed grip is the way to shoot these things with magnum rounds without getting beaten up too badly. My left hand doesn't hurt a bit and I shot at least half of the time with it and only it.

[Shima]

I love that gun. I'm bitterly jealous. I really like the Big Dot sight on the front. I want to trade mine for one now, but the wife's M&P 9JG is gonna come first.

[poak]

I like the finish. Is it ceramic based?

[nightrunner]

this is interesting, i have heard that a .357mag jframe is rather punishing recoil-wise. good to hear first hand that its not.

[Guest truthsayer]

Lol, Deerslayer. I have Cor-Bons in mine right now. The poor little girl next to me when I shot some out of it at the range... I can still see her face now.

[Guest eyebedam]

Very Nice snuibbie.

[10Kilr]

I have been wanting one of these for a while. Now I want one even more.....Thanks.......

[et45]

Nice Smith.As others have said that gun is on my short list.I have found handgun recoil to be a subjective thing.Guns or calibers that some find excessive are mild to others.The reason the recoil seemed less with one hand was the gun was allowed to recoil and move upward with your hand as your elbow flexed.In the 2 hand hold recoil was more rearward and you felt it more.But I could be wrong.

[strickj]

I always got a snicker outa those "snubs kick like a mule" folks.

If you hold it properly,it wont do that.

[BryanP]

Nice gun. I like the sights. I guess I'm a wuss, as my S&W 638 kicks hard enough with .38+P that I have no desire to swap out for a .357.

[Magiccarpetrides]

Nice gun. I like the sights. I guess I'm a wuss, as my S&W 638 kicks hard enough with .38+P that I have no desire to swap out for a .357.

Ditto....though that is a gorgeous gun...i have a 638 also.

[TGO David]

I'd be happy to let either of you guys try it out with a .357 Mag round sometime, but you have to swear you won't drop it if it stings a little.

[BryanP]

My excuse is arthritis. It has nothing to do with being a big wussyboy. That's just a bonus.