[jamz]

Smith and Wesson 340PD. Only revolver I've ever bought with "the lock" on it.

.357 Magnum in a 12 oz pistol... I will do a range and hand/finger damage report when I get it and get brave enough to fire it. :lol:

 

[Mach5]

My wife and I looked at these the other day. Very very light pistol.

 

[fatcat]

Oh... thats going to hurt... I got the SS 24 OZ version in .357mag and I its such a pain to shoot its not even fun after a few loads. (Talking about high grain) I just use .38's in it now. Mines 24.. I can start to think how heavy thats going to recoil.

 

[Janq]

Jamz I've rented that one before.
It's a friggen lion but considering what you shoot as it is you'll likely not cry about it like I did.

- Janq

 

[Adler]

personally I will take as much weight as I can get when it comes to a 357 snubbie. I had a ruger police service six 2 3/4 in 357 once. OUCH!

 

[jamz]

I look at it this way: I started with an older (1971) Model 60 in .38spl., all stainless steel gun. I liked the snubby concept, but it was pretty heavy in the pocket. I looked around for a year or so before finding an Airweight Bodyguard, which I considered ideal. So right now I carry an older 70's Model 38 Airweight. (Alum frame, Stainless barrell and cylinder.) It's pretty light, but only rated for .38spl, not +p, although I do carry them in there, figuring a cylinderful in an emergency won't break the gun.

Looked at the 642, which is cheaper by far, and if you get lucky you can find a +p rated one with no integral lock. Looked again at the 340pd, and it's more expensive, but I have a Colt pony pocketlite that is MA-legal which is a valuable rarity so I'm selling it to fund the 340.

The 340 is a few ounces lighter, and I can still carry ordinary .38 spl, if nothing else, so it's an improvement no matter what.

 

[Janq]

Nooo...you aren't selling that Colt, it's a beautiful little piece. :|

- Janq

 

[Ducman]

The grip on those are the worst. It transfers alot the recoil to a very small portion of the hand. Definately not a range gun, but for self defense I would be surprised if you even noticed

 

[global]

my buddy has that gun... he won't even shoot it with .357 magnum... it hurts too much and is completely worthless. .38 +p does plenty of damage. with either round, 15 rounds at the range and you're done.

that is the reason i bought a 442 over that model. other then that... the gun is pretty much for contact shots.

 

[jamz]

Nooo...you aren't selling that Colt, it's a beautiful little piece. :|

- Janq

Yes I am. It just sits in the safe. Want it? It's on consignment now but I could pull it off for you if so desired (cheap). If not I'll see what it fetches.

It is ridiculously valuable in MA, being a pre-98 gun.

Ducman: I've already got nice ahrends colobolo grips lined up.

 

[STiDreams]

It's probably a dream to wear but it's not a pleasant gun to shoot.

 

[Jeremy]

Those are great little guns. Yes they kick like a bitch but they are "OH SHIT!!" guns after all. Made for easy carry not a target gun. Like any other CCw gun, if you need to use it in a self-defense situation the last thing you're gonna notice is the recoil.

I have a hunting rifle with the same idea. Rifle, scope, sling and 4 shells weighs 5.75# in a 300wsm. You can carry it all day, climb 7000ft up a mountain to make 1 shot. A very nice gun to carry but sitting at a bench sighting it in will bring tears to your eyes.

 

[MACHINE]

snubbies are great for carry but the thing is a 357 mag in a snubbie is a waste of money my dealer even told me that he said its just more hollywood bs. theres no real advantage of a 38+p over a 357 in a barrel that small just a dissatvantage.

 

[jamz]

snubbies are great for carry but the thing is a 357 mag in a snubbie is a waste of money my dealer even told me that he said its just more hollywood bs. theres no real advantage of a 38+p over a 357 in a barrel that small just a dissatvantage.

Nope! A popular misconception though, not surprised he repeated it back to you. Here is some data from http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm

Velocities are based on 10-shot strings of fire about 10' from the chronograph screens.



Ammunition ............ Average Velocity (ft/sec)



Federal .38 Special 129-grain Hydrashok +P ............. 846



Winchester .38 Special 158-grain LSWCHP +P ............ 858



Remington .357 Magnum 125-grain SJHP (Full-house load) ............. 1243



Handload: Rucker 158-grain CSWC ............... 1100

7.0 grains Unique

Winchester Small Pistol Primer

Starline Case

Granted, it's through a 2.5" revolver, but it's still relevant. I reload and have a chronograph, so I will be able to do some real-life tests with .38, .38_p, and .357 loads in terms of muzzle velocity and I suppose I cna do the math for energy delivered to target.

 

[MACHINE]

thats kinda suprising. its just i was always told you need a longer barrel to get the velocity advantage of a 357

 

[Janq]

Jamz,

FWIW you can have your cake and eat it too.
As punishing as that shooter is in .357 Mag (I could stand IIRC just seven shots before returning the gun & ammo for something else) the good folks at Corbon have a .38 Special +P that makes 1250 FPS & 382 Ft./Lbs. @ 110 gr. which is exact same as their 125 gr. 357 Sig and just below their .357 Mag (1300 FPS & 469 Ft./Lbs. @ 125 gr.).
As you reload and the Barnes DPX bullet is available you might find this combination and specs useful toward your application.

http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/corbon/dpx.htm#
https://dakotaammo.net/shop/product_info.php?cPath=23_76&products_id=139

- Janq

 

[jamz]

I got it!!

Drove it home, and on the way found a dirt road and put a few cylinders of homemade .38spl through it (I love Maine) and a cylinder full of +p. Not bad at all. Quite controllable.

I put my nice Ahrends stocks on it, and in the next couple of days I'll do a detailed range report.

Wooohoooo!

 

[jamz]

bump!

 

[fatcat]

Ouch!.. wood grips?!