I applied for my CHL last month, and in the long waiting space (90 days they tell us in NC), I've been agonizing for weeks about what I intend to use it on, so to speak. Well, I've got a Kahr which will work well for IWB use, but it's pretty hot here much of the time, and I really liked the idea of having the option of pocket carry. I had just about settled on a P32, when a thread on this forum made me realize I wouldn't really trust that tiny little bullet; I wanted a snubby. And the snubby I wanted was, insanely, the 340PD.
This little scandium gun had so many charms--well, really just two. The undisputed versatility of a .357/.38, and an incredible, pocket-loving 12 ounces. When the gunshop had a new one on the shelf with a Hi-viz sight yesterday, it was all too much. I caved, knowing that my heart would continue longing for this gun even if I did try to appease it with another (like the P32, or another lightweight snub without the .357 option [e.g., an Airweight]).
It was an agonizing 6 hours before I could get to the range to try it out, to discover whether I really had the cojones (sp?) to handle this tiny thing. The only ammo I had was some 158 gr. +p .38, and I will add my testimonial to others: with heavy bullets, this superlight snubbie delivers a bracing whack. Not so much flip as I expected, but a kind of upwards-and-backwards SMACK and a briefly lingering sting in the palm. Didn't have any problem with the trigger guard smacking my finger or anything--and since it's a Centennial, there's no hammer to bite. I was firing basically for the feel of it, at 7 yards, and had no trouble keeping all shots inside the black of a 25 yrd. target--what's that, a 5 or 6" diameter? I know it'll shoot considerably better as I grow accustomed to it. Working out the mechanics of how to grip such a little gun, and what part of the trigger finger to use, and how, turns out to be a bit trickier for me than any problem with flinching.
Now I plan to back down to 125 gr. standard pressure rounds to gain proficiency, and build up to 125gr. +p's, then hopefully up to where I can confidently handle the 'mellow' 125 gr. .357 loads like the Rem. Golden Saber. Is this gun as fun to shoot as my 686? Nowhere near. But it is an amazingly light, easy gun to carry; and I know I will carry it much more than I would something heavier, and with greater confidence than I would something less potent. Any carry gun, as many here have remarked, is a compromise. But the super-lightweight technology that makes a 12 oz. .357 snub possible will make me, personally, feel a little less compromised
Do I recommend it? Not if it's anyone's first or only major caliber handgun. But for its own particular job? You betcha.
So there's my little testimonial: sorry it's a bit long for a post. Also, I want to thank the many folks who shared their experiences with the scandium and other snubs, and whose words were instrumental in my decision--branrot, snubbie, rov, BigG, Ken Chavez and others
CW
This little scandium gun had so many charms--well, really just two. The undisputed versatility of a .357/.38, and an incredible, pocket-loving 12 ounces. When the gunshop had a new one on the shelf with a Hi-viz sight yesterday, it was all too much. I caved, knowing that my heart would continue longing for this gun even if I did try to appease it with another (like the P32, or another lightweight snub without the .357 option [e.g., an Airweight]).
It was an agonizing 6 hours before I could get to the range to try it out, to discover whether I really had the cojones (sp?) to handle this tiny thing. The only ammo I had was some 158 gr. +p .38, and I will add my testimonial to others: with heavy bullets, this superlight snubbie delivers a bracing whack. Not so much flip as I expected, but a kind of upwards-and-backwards SMACK and a briefly lingering sting in the palm. Didn't have any problem with the trigger guard smacking my finger or anything--and since it's a Centennial, there's no hammer to bite. I was firing basically for the feel of it, at 7 yards, and had no trouble keeping all shots inside the black of a 25 yrd. target--what's that, a 5 or 6" diameter? I know it'll shoot considerably better as I grow accustomed to it. Working out the mechanics of how to grip such a little gun, and what part of the trigger finger to use, and how, turns out to be a bit trickier for me than any problem with flinching.
Now I plan to back down to 125 gr. standard pressure rounds to gain proficiency, and build up to 125gr. +p's, then hopefully up to where I can confidently handle the 'mellow' 125 gr. .357 loads like the Rem. Golden Saber. Is this gun as fun to shoot as my 686? Nowhere near. But it is an amazingly light, easy gun to carry; and I know I will carry it much more than I would something heavier, and with greater confidence than I would something less potent. Any carry gun, as many here have remarked, is a compromise. But the super-lightweight technology that makes a 12 oz. .357 snub possible will make me, personally, feel a little less compromised
Do I recommend it? Not if it's anyone's first or only major caliber handgun. But for its own particular job? You betcha.So there's my little testimonial: sorry it's a bit long for a post. Also, I want to thank the many folks who shared their experiences with the scandium and other snubs, and whose words were instrumental in my decision--branrot, snubbie, rov, BigG, Ken Chavez and others
CW
