340PD gun mag articles??

G

gromit555

Inactive
anyone willing to scan and email one to me? read the reports on this board, but still want some more info. maybe this'll make me bite and buy my first revolver...:)

thanks in advance.
 
There may be some copyright infringement issue concerning this. Any attorneys out there with an opinion?
 
then why are there copy machines? isn't it only a problem if i try to sell it or something? like bootleg videotapes and cd's...
 
I think there may be an exception to the rule for "educational purposes".

Regardless, here's all you need to know about the S&W 340/360: They are very very light, easy to carry, reliable, and packs .357 punch. However, they only carry 5 rounds, are not very accurate, aren't cheap, recoil a lot with .38s, and recoil a whole lot with .357's. So far, it's the best carry gun I've been able to find.
 
I'd go with the 342PD. Some people are really into power over practicality though and I think that's primarily the reason they get the 340. If it came in .480 they'd still get it, even if shooting it snapped their damn wrist off! Look at all those honkin' Suburbans that 110lb women drive that never go off road nor carry more than a bag of groceries! Emotions over logic and hey, there may be nothing wrong with that in many instances! However, in a self defense gun, it is my personal policy not to carry any round that I don't practice a considerable amount with! I don't buy the "adrenaline will get you through theory!" It might. But it also might take out a bystander as in a lethal scenario you are not accustomed to the recoil!
 
340/360 PD "are not very accurate"???????????????????????
HMMMMMMMMM......
J frames are typically the most accurate snubs available..from what Ive shot anyway.
Shoot well
 
Ditto on what Eric questioned. J-frames typically have more inherent accuracy than the operators.

Experience here with both 340 and 342. Both found to be great carry guns. Recoil problems can be largely overcome by some by replacing small factory grips.
 
Responding, trying to keep lid on ego...

I'll side with Eric; There hasn't been a snubby made that I haven't been able to shoot accurately, after just a few rounds.

I'm mulling over a 342PD myself. anyone out there know where a good deal on a new one can be had?
 
Greybeard,

You quoted my point best: "Excess forfeits all gains!" Succinctly stated argument in favor of the 342PD over the 340 in my opinion! :D
 
To all those who I may have offended: I didn't say that J-frames are inaccurate snubs, I just mean that they are not accurate as compared to guns with longer barrels and longer sight radii.

Regarding the 340 vs. 342 controversy, I traded my 342 and some cash for my 340. While some say that .357 is too much in that gun, I believe that the 340 is simply stonger than the 342, weighs about the same, is about the same size, and has the option of taking .38 or .357. Why not get the 340? It's only another 50 bucks or so (I paid more because my 342 was used, and it was on a trade), which isn't much of a difference if you're considering spending that much cash on a gun. I'm carrying my 340 in an ankle holster as I type, and it's loaded with .38 +p's.
 
Ahh horse hockey! I bought my 340PD not for the intention of shooting full boat Magnums but for shooting +p and +p+ .38's. It has nothing to do with overkill or a power trip and here's why;

The Scandium frames are stronger than any Airlite or Titanium frames therefor they can withstand the stronger pressures. Shooting Magnums in a 12oz gun is a waste, what small amount of performance gains you get over the .38 with a Magnum in a 1 and 7/8 bbl is utterly lost between harsh recoil, more muzzle flip, and a neat little tingling sensation going up and down your hands and forearms. At the most I might load up some .357 Mag Tactical lite's from Proload, a little better than a .38+P but still manageable and wont rip my arm off. One thing I thought was a great idea was posted here by Jim, load 4 charge holes with .38's and the last with a Magnum, by the time you get to round 5 it's your last ditch and you want to pack a wallop. Whether or not the stronger frame and versatility of going between ammo calls for the extra $150 dollar price tag of the Scandium is up to you and your wallet, but for some it's well worth it. Are there some who only see a 12oz Magnum and do not consider the downside or think logically about it? You bet, but those shooters will soon learn the benefits of studying up on guns they go and blow a fortune on as well as practice and training.

Just for the record I'd like to state that my next purchase will be a 386PD Scandium, I work security and I need a light gun for a shoulder holster to comfortably wear under a blazer. That gun will be shooting full boat .357's after working though .38', and .38+p's. At just under 18oz's it makes a lot more sense to carry in the Texas heat comfortably.

As far as J-frames having poor accuracy, bench rest that hot rod and see how much more accurate the gun is than you.
 
Even at $50 it's a lot of money for something if you are never going to use it! Why not just light that $50 bill on fire?! A lot of people spend a lot of money on options they think they may want then never/rarely use them! This goes for a variety of products. MOST of the guys I know with the 340 fire a round or two then switch to .38 for carry. Some option! Overkill. Wear, tear, killing ability (if you see using a round that you have actually pratciced a lot with and now have the ability to get multiple rounds downrange quickly and acurately with as more important than caliber. For even the best shooters that favors the .38, particularly in such a lightweight gun)! I'm sticking with .38+P and putting the savings toward another gun!

I was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek when I refered to the "need for power" but ya gotta admit; there are guys like that. "Never leave the house without my 1911 and 14 backup guns, fixed blade knife, and orange alert and I work as an admin and there hasn't been a violent crime in my area in 30 years!" I'm not knocking that if they are having fun and who knows-maybe they will need all that if the Taliban starts more terrorism when we invade Irag etc.
 
I'm with wolf on this one. I bought a 340pd for no other reason that it is a stronger gun for shooting +p .38's. I never entertained the thought of shooting .357's in it and probably never will. I just want the ability to practice with it a lot with +p 38's without worrying about loosening it up too much. Besides, for all practical purposes, it's the same size and weight so why not?
 
You both may be right. So far my 342 has been fine but if did show signs as you describe then you would clearly have made the better choice (assuming the 340 didn't loosen as well).
 
Thanks for all your insight. I used to have a COP 357 (what a POS) and I have a downsizer, so I'm not really worried about the recoil.

But back to my original question; so no one out there has an article they can scan and email me? I promise I won't tell any lawyers where I got it from.;)
 
I'm not sure what your needing, if your needing reviews and descriptions then go to Yahoo! and search for Smith Wesson 340PD or Smith Wesson Scandium, you'll find all kinds of online articles, reviews, and descriptions for it.
 
That was the first thing I tried...you get mostly dealer price lists and one paragraph "reviews" that are pretty uninformative.

Let me be a little more specific. Can anyone scan and email me the following article:

Combat Handguns, February 2002, Model 340PD by W. Clapp, pg. 26.

Thanks again in advance.
 
A note to ALL who keep trying to state that 38+P's are ALMOST as potent as 357 Mags from a near 2" tube.
Youre comparing .380 energy levels to a Hot 9mm...literally.

The most typical and hottest +P loadings from a snub are around 200-220 FPE...from our chrono. The Mags are over 400 FPE and have velocity to expand just like they are designed. According to the #'s in another thread...the Corbon 110gr has over 500 FPE from an SP short tube and doesnt recoil as bad as the 125's I shoot..........comments are welcome :D

This little comparison aside....Id shoot 110's from the super flyweight guns. I also agree with the tingling issue...Ive only shot one..with full house loads and it would make a HELL of a BUG. Shoot well
 
I started this thread to see if I can get a magazine review of the gun, that's it. Like I previously said, I already searched TFL and the internet. I didn't want this post to stray off my original question and I don't want to hear the same opinions & arguments over again (and I'm sure nobody else does either).

If you have a gun magazine review & is willing to scan it for me, MANY THANKS...if not, please don't reply. It's as simple as that.

Attn Moderators: feel free to lock this post if it goes off-topic again...
 
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