No additional benefits other than weight reduction

357 is BRUTAL out of a PD

 

For pocket or ankle carry every ounce counts. For belt carry the difference is negligible.

And yes, this decision is all about the weight. Both are pigs to shoot with .357 (I've had multiples of each).

 

I carry my 340pd with .357mag everyday at work. Its light enough to not pull my scrubs down. Its definately not a range toy buts it's not as bad as most people say it is. Most people I hear talk about it have never owned one.

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I have a 360 and 357mag in it is no longer fun. I bought it when I enjoyed heavy recoil, but that is no longer the case.

 

Some thoughts on the 340 PD: more expensive than a 340; more recoil; added concerns about some bullet weights potentially jumping their crimp and locking the cylinder -- so you need to thoroughly test your carry loads. Is it worth the weight savings? That is up to you -- some think so and others not so much.

Either way -- I would personally prefer the no internal lock option on either -- some don't care about that.

 

Some thoughts on the 340 PD: more expensive than a 340; more recoil; added concerns about lighter weight bullets potentially jumping their crimp and locking the cylinder -- so you need to thoroughly test your carry loads. Is it worth the weight savings? That is up to you -- some think so and others not so much.

Either way -- I would personally prefer the no internal lock option on either -- some don't care about that.

You shouldnt be shooting light weight bullets in a ti cylinder anyways. 125gr and above. You can shoot lightweight .38spc though

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I have never been much of a snubby enthusiast. I have shot a few in the past, but never really had to have one.

However, I recently decided to pick one up for pocket carry.
I impulse bought a 442 from a member here, and now I am interested in getting one with the capability to fire .357 Magnum (while I doubt I will shoot much if any in an airweight, I still want the option)

I have narrowed my choice down to either the M&P 340 or 340 PD.

Other than 2oz less weight, a titanium cylinder, and aesthetics...
Are there really any benefits of going with the PD over the standard 340?

Thank you!

forgot to mention

pay attention to the ammo restrictions due to flame cutting. I believe Smith suggests no ammo less than 125gr

 

OP … from the S&W manual regarding bullet weights -- something to be aware of with all lightweight revolvers:

The PD model's barrel is actually marked to not use bullets less than 120 gr.

 

@villdetwink, you’re timing is good, keep an eye on the classifieds.

 

I frequently use a scalpel. Does that count?

Who’s going to complain ?

 

Depends on how your gonna carry it. As stated for pocket carry 1-2 oz matters. I have both a 340M&P and a 342 (38spl) that a tiny bit lighter than the 340pd. I notice the difference b/w them, but both are silly light. The sights on the M&P are a tritium front and on the PD a colored ramp or fiber optic. Other than sights and ti vs steel cylinder they are the same gun as far as I know. I got mine w/o the internal lock and on these guns I think it matters. I don't like it for a variety of reasons but it seems especially foolish on a hard recoiling carry gun. So far as I'm aware it combines the most likely to fail and highest consequence of failure scenarios into one. There's at least one maker of a well machined lock delete out there FWIW.

As previously stated these are brutal with full strength 357. I like lightweight revolvers, and have a 329, the 25oz S&W 44mag. The 340M&P is more painful to shoot that the full framed 44mag with most rounds. Maybe b/c it's a smaller grip etc but whatever the reason I shoot very little if any 357 out of mine.

 

oh and bullet type/weight etc is important. I didn't re-read the whole article but I think this is one that I read when I was looking and shows the cylinder erosion quite well

https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/culture/titanium-cylinders/

 

I had the M&P 340 with the big night sight up front and black oxide stainless cylinder. It was not that fun to shoot with full house .357 ammo unless I used 110 grain JHPs. With .38 special +P it was great. My brother had a titanium cylinder J frame and it had some reliability issues and fired cases were sometimes hard to eject. It went back to S&W at least twice. I never had any problem with that with the stainless cylinder on mine. They are great for backups or deep concealed carry.

I do prefer the 340 over the 360 because the high back strap on the 340 lets you get the web of the hand up much higher for better control. It seems to roll less in the hand during recoil.

What I really have my eye on right now is a S&W 640 Pro.

 

I found a M&P 340 locally for a good price.
Unfortunately it came with the internal lock... so while installing the Apex spring kit, I took it out. Problem solved.

 

Nice snubby, hope you enjoy it.

 

Bought my 340 several years back. It is my daily carry (pocket & OWB), & the couple of extra ounces over Ti, cause me no concern what so ever. Finish has held up very well. Can't tell ya' how much I like the sights either. Let's just say..., a bunch.