The Great New Titanium Snubs
- Thread starter adk
- Start date
I ground off the grips that come stock on the S&W stainless 640. Gets tricky because there are steel stiffeners inside. Got the idea from VictorLouis. I sent the picture and description to Hogue and to Uncle Mike's, asking if they will be making anything like this - boot grips that cover the backstrap. Absolutely transforms the gun. adk
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Thanks. Some people may be able to use the stock Hogue Bantams, but I just CANNOT picture me succeeding with them with full-power 357s like the Fed C357B. This round has a really hard smack in such a light gun. Even with the covered backstrap, the most rounds I could fire of the C357B at one session, without injury, might be 50.
As mentioned, grinding these grips down is tricky because of the steel stiffeners inside. And it's hard to do a decent cosmetic job on the bottom. I'm just hoping someone will make them. For me, they are best at 1/8" longer than Mike's boot grips.
With these cutoff grips the 340PD is about 1/8" taller and about 3/16" longer than the 442. No big change as far as concealment is concerned.
But the backstrap rubber gives the gun a longer reach and a bigger feel, and Much better control, in my case.
With the cutoffs, the weight of the 340PD loaded with 125gr 357s is 15 ounces. A 442 loaded with 158gr FBI rounds weighs 17.8 ounces. The difference is 14 quarters, which makes a surprising difference in the pocket. I'll now put the 340PD on my permit, and retire the 442 to just practice.
As mentioned, grinding these grips down is tricky because of the steel stiffeners inside. And it's hard to do a decent cosmetic job on the bottom. I'm just hoping someone will make them. For me, they are best at 1/8" longer than Mike's boot grips.
With these cutoff grips the 340PD is about 1/8" taller and about 3/16" longer than the 442. No big change as far as concealment is concerned.
But the backstrap rubber gives the gun a longer reach and a bigger feel, and Much better control, in my case.
With the cutoffs, the weight of the 340PD loaded with 125gr 357s is 15 ounces. A 442 loaded with 158gr FBI rounds weighs 17.8 ounces. The difference is 14 quarters, which makes a surprising difference in the pocket. I'll now put the 340PD on my permit, and retire the 442 to just practice.
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VictorLouis
New member
Amazingly different, IMHO. If you don't want to bother with modifying them, try obtaining a pair of Taurus' small frame grips. They are also of boot grip size with a covered backstrap. All you have to do is to tap out the grip locator pin at the bottom of your J-frame. They seem to be quite secure without it.
KEN CHAVEZ
New member
The grips you cut down are made by Uncle Mikes, Model# 59007 round butt J-Frame. I bought mine from Butler Creek, Model#50507.
I happen to like the Uncle Mikes grips the way they are, and they do make a big difference in regards to recoil, compared to the Hogue Bantam grips, with my 360Sc.
I happen to like the Uncle Mikes grips the way they are, and they do make a big difference in regards to recoil, compared to the Hogue Bantam grips, with my 360Sc.
.Ken - I also like the grips just as they come. I have a set and switch them with the cutoffs on the 340PD to make comparisons. So far, I can do a more consistent pocket draw with the cutoffs. The uncut grips have more often grabbed the pocket on the way out. I'd like to find a cure for this.
-Pen - I don't know what the difference is between the PD and the SC. The SC was not in the 2002 catalog I used. I only looked at the 340PD, since it was most like the 442 I had been using.
-Pen - I don't know what the difference is between the PD and the SC. The SC was not in the 2002 catalog I used. I only looked at the 340PD, since it was most like the 442 I had been using.
KEN CHAVEZ
New member
S&W dose not use the SC in the name of the gun anymore the 340 is silver in color, and the 340PD is black in color. Other than color they are the same gun.
Eric Larsen
New member
I HIGHLY recommend the Butler Creek Boot grips. I shoot an SP with one for pocket carry and will attest that the small grip is great. It it small and soaks up recoil better than the OEM grip by far. Get one....youll like it.
Shoot well
Shoot well
Coltdriver
New member
I know that recoil is a subjective thing, however, that being said could someone who has shot one of these lightweight snubbies with a .357 round compare the recoil to a small .40 S&W like a Kahr??? More, less, similar?
A J frame with a .357 round that weights under 16 oz loaded is a very appealing thing to me. I like to carry but I hate a heavy gun and these lightweight j frames seem to fill the bill very nicely.
A J frame with a .357 round that weights under 16 oz loaded is a very appealing thing to me. I like to carry but I hate a heavy gun and these lightweight j frames seem to fill the bill very nicely.
Today I shot the 340PD with .357 ammo, including 10 rounds of the full-power Fed 125gr Hi-Shok - which must be coming out at about 1200fps.
I also shot about 20 rounds of various medium velocity .357 rounds (est 1050fps). This is all with the grips that cover the backstrap. I could have gone only about another 20 rounds of .357.
It was a RELIEF to practice the rest of the day with 38 Special +P 158gr. But I'll carry .357. It's not so bad that you would drop back to 38 Special as your carry ammo.
I also shot about 20 rounds of various medium velocity .357 rounds (est 1050fps). This is all with the grips that cover the backstrap. I could have gone only about another 20 rounds of .357.
It was a RELIEF to practice the rest of the day with 38 Special +P 158gr. But I'll carry .357. It's not so bad that you would drop back to 38 Special as your carry ammo.
I've been quite pleased with Crimson Trace "overmoulded" laser grips on 340 "always" gun. Large enough to take much of the "sting" out of recoil, but still concealable. Due to better recovery time between initial shots, I most frequently carry it keyed up with 3 Gold Dot .38+Ps, then 2 Federal 125g 357 JHPs. Loaded weight 14.9 ounces.
Due to S&W's new chitty triggers, I had to take mine (DAO) to gunsmith twice to get "feel" close to what I had with prior 342.
I am by no means dependent upon the laser, but it sure helps to point out (literally) that accuracy problems with j-frames are generally a result of the operator(s) and not the gun(s) ...
Due to S&W's new chitty triggers, I had to take mine (DAO) to gunsmith twice to get "feel" close to what I had with prior 342.
I am by no means dependent upon the laser, but it sure helps to point out (literally) that accuracy problems with j-frames are generally a result of the operator(s) and not the gun(s) ...
Today is the first time I tried .357 ammo in my 640-1 (maybe 23 oz. empty?--all steel). Thought I would include this for comparison's sake,
Had 12 Win USA 110 gr. JHPs that I initially bought for my lever-action. These were not bad at all in perceived recoil...maybe similar to Corbon +P+'s I've tried in the past.
I also bought 2 boxes (40 rounds) of 130 gr. Hydra-shoks. Definitely felt these...especially since I saved these for last. Definitely couldn't get back on target fast enough (or accurately enough) for practical self-defense shooting. Would need to practice much more if I intended to use these...though I'm inclined to stick with 158 gr. .38 +P's.
I'm using the Barami Hip-grips...definitely not much to hold onto comfortably--though it's more than adequate for the 158 gr. +Ps (in my experience).
Had 12 Win USA 110 gr. JHPs that I initially bought for my lever-action. These were not bad at all in perceived recoil...maybe similar to Corbon +P+'s I've tried in the past.
I also bought 2 boxes (40 rounds) of 130 gr. Hydra-shoks. Definitely felt these...especially since I saved these for last. Definitely couldn't get back on target fast enough (or accurately enough) for practical self-defense shooting. Would need to practice much more if I intended to use these...though I'm inclined to stick with 158 gr. .38 +P's.
I'm using the Barami Hip-grips...definitely not much to hold onto comfortably--though it's more than adequate for the 158 gr. +Ps (in my experience).
Eric Larsen
New member
adk,
I believe thats the #...this is what I have. See pic
As far as putting the recoil from a small 357 mag into words and further more a relative comparison with a K40? I wont do it justice, Ill bet ya! The 40 chambered Kahr has the snap that most 40 guns do, just more of it...this I assume you know.
The snubbie 357 has more intense recoil than that but of a different nature...instead of the quick and stout..sharp twist up and back the 40 has..the snub just "hits" you in the swell of the palm. Alot more pronounced and shorter lived than the auto.
Its worse but over quicker also...
Shoot well
I believe thats the #...this is what I have. See pic
As far as putting the recoil from a small 357 mag into words and further more a relative comparison with a K40? I wont do it justice, Ill bet ya! The 40 chambered Kahr has the snap that most 40 guns do, just more of it...this I assume you know.
The snubbie 357 has more intense recoil than that but of a different nature...instead of the quick and stout..sharp twist up and back the 40 has..the snub just "hits" you in the swell of the palm. Alot more pronounced and shorter lived than the auto.
Its worse but over quicker also...
Shoot well
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Eric - that's a beautiful setup. Great gun. I agree on the .357 snub recoil: Real smacky, but over quick.
I had the 340PD at the outdoor range Sunday and blasted off a few that cleared the positions on both sides. Some guys shot it once and put it right back down.
Problem with the 12-ounce 340 is that the #5 bullet pulls .020 to .045 on every reduced velocity .357 ammo I've tried. The full-power Fed 125gr only pulls about .005. But I have not tried the Triton reduced velocity yet. adk
I had the 340PD at the outdoor range Sunday and blasted off a few that cleared the positions on both sides. Some guys shot it once and put it right back down.
Problem with the 12-ounce 340 is that the #5 bullet pulls .020 to .045 on every reduced velocity .357 ammo I've tried. The full-power Fed 125gr only pulls about .005. But I have not tried the Triton reduced velocity yet. adk