Shot my friends S&W 340pd (11.4 oz) .357 Revolver.

Budda · September 10, 2012, 12:06 PM

HOLY CRAP!!!!! yes there is such thing as TOO light!!!

It is a Titanium gun including the cylinder.

.38 snapped good!

.38+p stung a lot!

And Full bore .357 was like a HI FIVE TO HULK!!!!!!!!!!!

It downright HURT! I now think that $1000 would be better spent elsewhere and .38+p is the best small revolver round.

I guess add it to your bucket list, I mean shoot one......don't buy one!!

Whirlwind06 · September 10, 2012, 12:19 PM

Shooting .38 +P ammo from a Airweight is bad enough!
There is enough thump in my 30 oz .357s.
I think the 20 oz Ruger or S&W .357s is about as low as I would go.

Strafer Gott · September 10, 2012, 12:30 PM

Well, at least you can still type! My BG 38 with 125 gr.XTP +P is still a pretty reasonable proposition. It's light enough to forget you have it with, why pay for more hurt on your end? I still need to investigate the heavier bullet, but so far 125 gr has decent accuracy, with tolerable recoil.

Budda · September 10, 2012, 12:39 PM

I too Have the BG .38 and find the recoil very manageable. I think having the poly frame/handle soaks up a lot of recoil. and this is with 158g +p's. But the same round in that stiff frame Ti gun is BRUTAL!!!

hulley · September 10, 2012, 01:17 PM

Thats why I put $100 down on a SP101 over the weekend. Its got enough weight to dampen the .357mag. I do have a LCR in .38spl (my wifes) and I'm planning on a S&W 637 for my personal lightweight .38spl.

kinggabby · September 10, 2012, 01:23 PM

Would never buy a light weight. I prefer a wheel gun chambered in .357 to weigh no less than 28oz. I want the gun to take the recoil and not my body. My Taurus 617 weighs about 28.3 oz. and i would have it no other way.

Budda · September 10, 2012, 01:28 PM

I used to have a sp101 and it was ok with .357's is as light as I would ever do for a .357.

sp101 is a GREAT .357!! Wish I still had mine.

**Tom Servo** · September 10, 2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

And Full bore .357 was like a HI FIVE TO HULK!

Yep. I've shot one just so I could say, "I've shot one." I took no pleasure from it.

Given the breakage that I've seen with the Scandium J-Frames, I can't really recommend the gun.

hulley · September 10, 2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

sp101 is a GREAT .357!! Wish I still had mine.

Thats what I'm thinking. I've rented the SP101 a few times and loved it with .357s, and seeing as I reload, I can roll .357 rounds for about 12cents each! I've already started loading the rounds.

bbqbob51 · September 10, 2012, 04:59 PM

At 13.5 oz., my Ruger LCR is plenty for me even with standard .38spl ammo. The reviews I had seen said it was pretty soft shooting but I was surprised the first time I shot it how much recoil I felt. I go out every few weeks and practice with it and it doesn't seem so bad now but I wouldn't want it to be any lighter.

Deaf Smith · September 10, 2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

HOLY CRAP!!!!! yes there is such thing as TOO light!!!

I've owned 'em and shot them with .357s. Yep, like a fire cracker going off in your hand.

I've also owned a Colt Defender in .45 ACP, and with Cor-Bon 200 'flying ashtrays' it kicked a mite to.

Yes to much gun and to little weight.

Deaf

fastbolt · September 11, 2012, 11:23 AM

I've handled and shot a fair number of the Sc/Ti Magnum J's. Yes, the recoil from Magnum loads can be brutal.

I own a pair of M&P 340's, which with their stainless steel cylinders weigh in at less than a regular 15 oz Airweight, but more than an Airlite PD (with titanium cylinder).

I ordered the first one just when they were being released (so it came with the ILS, or "lock"). During the first couple of range sessions I used an assortment of Magnum loads, checking for bullet pull. Over a hundred rounds of Magnum ammunition. I let a few of the other instructors try it, and most of them were happy to give the gun back after a cylinder load of Magnum loads.

I typically use +P loads for the bulk of my quals, training & practice nowadays (since it's issued, and I can also buy one brand at a LE distributor), and haven't shot much in the way of Magnum through my M&P 340's after the first few qual sessions. I prefer to use +P's for carry roles, too.

I'm still trying to wear out my first M&P 340.

Oddly enough, although my second M&P 340 is the latest model, made without the ILS, I've found I'm usually carrying my first one (the "lock" model) for daily CCW, and it's seeing the bulk of the normal range duties. Perhaps it's because all the use it's seen at the range has made the trigger become pretty smooth ... and maybe it's also partly because all the scratches, nicks & general wear its accumulated has made it seem familiar and comfortable.

Whatever it is, I'm going to try and run through another case of +P before then end of the year ... but I probably won't be shooting much Magnum through it. Maybe another few cylinder loads. Maybe.

I think the Airlite Magnum J's are pretty much right out there at the very edge of what's endurable for human/revolver interaction, myself.

Of course, there was that one strapping young man I met at a S&W revolver armorer class one time, who told me he'd fired hundreds of Magnum loads through his 5-shot PD (can't remember whether it was a 340 or 360), and he was eagerly planning to order a M&P 340 and use nothing but Magnum's in it. Okay. Good for him. (Better him than me).

I've got my Ruger SP-101 DAO for a steady diet of Magnum loads.

9mm · September 11, 2012, 11:25 AM

Well you can thank S&W for the crappy grips. LCR has nice comfy grips. My S&W 642 hurts like crap, and when you shoot 75 rounds in a hour? OW!!! I wish I could get the LCR grip on my S&W it would make life easier. The back of the S&W j frames are nothing but metal, unlike the LCR.

Axelwik · September 13, 2012, 11:58 PM

I really like my LCR in 38+P.

9mm · September 14, 2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Location: Earth

ODD QUESTION!
Can you fire a gun in space, and how far could it go? recoil no?

QuarterHorse · September 14, 2012, 11:39 PM

In love with my SP101 2" recently converted to DAO. I could shoot magnum rounds all day no issues with it. I'm not too recoil sensitive with handguns so take it with a grain of salt.

wayneinFL · September 15, 2012, 12:53 AM

My first revolver was a model 10. My next purchase was a 340PD- my first 357. I went to the range and tried out an airweight 38- nice and snappy, I thought. I saw the 340PD behind the counter and thought, how bad could a 357 possibly be?

I bought the 340PD and a box of 50 rounds of S&B 158gr 357s. The instant after the first shot I thought the gun blew up and took my arm with it. I concentrated on the sight picture, squeezed.... BANG! And I'm looking at the target with no gun in sight. I looked to see the gun pointed straight up in the air.

I got through 20 rounds. A buddy of mine asked what ot was like to shoot a cylinder full of 357s. I told him if he wanted to know, all he had to do was lay his hand on a workbench and smack the web of his hand with a hammer.

BryanP · September 15, 2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

HOLY CRAP!!!!! yes there is such thing as TOO light!!!

I used to think I wanted a 340PD. I settled for a 638 which is 14.6oz and only fires 38+P. After carrying that for a couple of years I realized it was great to carry but I hated shooting it, even standard pressure .38's, much less +P. I switched up to a 649 (23oz, .357) which I can fire .38+P out of without any trouble and .357 is manageable. . You'd be surprised how easy it is to carry in a pocket. It takes a little getting used to, but now I barely notice it.

Microgunner · September 15, 2012, 03:15 PM

I own a S&W 340PD and although the recoil is stiff I don't find it unmanageable with the 125grns I've shot through it.

I'll carry the 340PD a lot and shoot it little so don't find the recoil much of a concern.

Now if you want an easy to shoot.357 Mag snubbie and don't mind the 24oz weight I can recommend the Chiappa Rhino. It mitigates the recoil so well you wont believe you shooting .357 Mags.
I'm carrying mine right now.

Madcap_Magician · September 18, 2012, 11:35 AM

The scandium and titanium J-frames are actually .38 Specials. S&W only labeled some of them .357 magnum as a practical joke.

old bear · September 18, 2012, 11:58 AM

One of the many reasons I like the .357 Magnum so much, is the ability to safely shoot such a wide selection of different ammo through one. Everything from mild to wild. Not that WILD is always a real good idea, as the O/P discovered.

drail · September 18, 2012, 01:39 PM

"S&W only labeled them as .357 Magnum as a practical joke." And there it is, kids. The Truth. I think that building a gun that is nice and light for all day carry is not a really bad idea but there is a limit beyond which you enter into the Realm of Stupid.

Obambulate · September 18, 2012, 05:59 PM

I agree. The thing could be even smaller and lighter if they built it on a .38 Special frame instead of the J-magnum frame. A 10-oz .38 Special Centennial would be sweet. I think they made one for a year or two.

lowercase · September 19, 2012, 05:04 PM

For .357, my 21-ounce Charter Arms Mag Pug is about as light as I want to go.

Definitely "lively", but still a lot of fun with .357. By contrast, my S&W 642 with .38 +P feels like catching a fast ball bare-handed. OUCH.

The Pachmayr Compac grips make a big difference, though.

Edward429451 · September 19, 2012, 07:17 PM

An 11 oz 357 Mag? You guys are masochists. I shoot my friends sp 101 and it's interesting enough. I'm used to 40+ oz in Magnums, usually more.

September 10, 2012, 12:06 PM	#1
Budda Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 446	Shot my friends S&W 340pd (11.4 oz) .357 Revolver. HOLY CRAP!!!!! yes there is such thing as TOO light!!! It is a Titanium gun including the cylinder. .38 snapped good! .38+p stung a lot! And Full bore .357 was like a HI FIVE TO HULK!!!!!!!!!!! It downright HURT! I now think that $1000 would be better spent elsewhere and .38+p is the best small revolver round. I guess add it to your bucket list, I mean shoot one......don't buy one!! __________________ ...They have the internet on computers now....-Homer Simpson-

September 10, 2012, 12:19 PM	#2
Whirlwind06 Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 998	Shooting .38 +P ammo from a Airweight is bad enough! There is enough thump in my 30 oz .357s. I think the 20 oz Ruger or S&W .357s is about as low as I would go. Last edited by Whirlwind06; September 10, 2012 at 12:34 PM.

September 10, 2012, 12:39 PM	#4
Budda Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 446	I too Have the BG .38 and find the recoil very manageable. I think having the poly frame/handle soaks up a lot of recoil. and this is with 158g +p's. But the same round in that stiff frame Ti gun is BRUTAL!!! __________________ ...They have the internet on computers now....-Homer Simpson-

September 10, 2012, 01:17 PM	#5
hulley Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Location: Hoschton, Ga. Posts: 726	Thats why I put $100 down on a SP101 over the weekend. Its got enough weight to dampen the .357mag. I do have a LCR in .38spl (my wifes) and I'm planning on a S&W 637 for my personal lightweight .38spl. __________________ Nov 2, 2011 sent form 4, SS Sparrow. Arrived May 29, 2012. Jan 30, 2012 sent form 1 for SBR. Arrived July 12, 2012 Jan 22, 2013 Sent form 4, 762-SDN-6. Arrived Sept 13, 2013

September 10, 2012, 01:28 PM	#7
Budda Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 446	I used to have a sp101 and it was ok with .357's is as light as I would ever do for a .357. sp101 is a GREAT .357!! Wish I still had mine. __________________ ...They have the internet on computers now....-Homer Simpson-

September 10, 2012, 12:30 PM	#3
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	Well, at least you can still type! My BG 38 with 125 gr.XTP +P is still a pretty reasonable proposition. It's light enough to forget you have it with, why pay for more hurt on your end? I still need to investigate the heavier bullet, but so far 125 gr has decent accuracy, with tolerable recoil.

September 10, 2012, 01:23 PM	#6
kinggabby Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2011 Location: OKC Posts: 502	Would never buy a light weight. I prefer a wheel gun chambered in .357 to weigh no less than 28oz. I want the gun to take the recoil and not my body. My Taurus 617 weighs about 28.3 oz. and i would have it no other way.

September 10, 2012, 04:59 PM	#10
bbqbob51 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Posts: 775	At 13.5 oz., my Ruger LCR is plenty for me even with standard .38spl ammo. The reviews I had seen said it was pretty soft shooting but I was surprised the first time I shot it how much recoil I felt. I go out every few weeks and practice with it and it doesn't seem so bad now but I wouldn't want it to be any lighter.

September 11, 2012, 11:23 AM	#12
fastbolt Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2002 Location: northern CA for a little while longer Posts: 1,931	I've handled and shot a fair number of the Sc/Ti Magnum J's. Yes, the recoil from Magnum loads can be brutal. I own a pair of M&P 340's, which with their stainless steel cylinders weigh in at less than a regular 15 oz Airweight, but more than an Airlite PD (with titanium cylinder). I ordered the first one just when they were being released (so it came with the ILS, or "lock"). During the first couple of range sessions I used an assortment of Magnum loads, checking for bullet pull. Over a hundred rounds of Magnum ammunition. I let a few of the other instructors try it, and most of them were happy to give the gun back after a cylinder load of Magnum loads. I typically use +P loads for the bulk of my quals, training & practice nowadays (since it's issued, and I can also buy one brand at a LE distributor), and haven't shot much in the way of Magnum through my M&P 340's after the first few qual sessions. I prefer to use +P's for carry roles, too. I'm still trying to wear out my first M&P 340. Oddly enough, although my second M&P 340 is the latest model, made without the ILS, I've found I'm usually carrying my first one (the "lock" model) for daily CCW, and it's seeing the bulk of the normal range duties. Perhaps it's because all the use it's seen at the range has made the trigger become pretty smooth ... and maybe it's also partly because all the scratches, nicks & general wear its accumulated has made it seem familiar and comfortable. Whatever it is, I'm going to try and run through another case of +P before then end of the year ... but I probably won't be shooting much Magnum through it. Maybe another few cylinder loads. Maybe. I think the Airlite Magnum J's are pretty much right out there at the very edge of what's endurable for human/revolver interaction, myself. Of course, there was that one strapping young man I met at a S&W revolver armorer class one time, who told me he'd fired hundreds of Magnum loads through his 5-shot PD (can't remember whether it was a 340 or 360), and he was eagerly planning to order a M&P 340 and use nothing but Magnum's in it. Okay. Good for him. (Better him than me). I've got my Ruger SP-101 DAO for a steady diet of Magnum loads. __________________ Retired LE - firearms instructor & armorer

September 11, 2012, 11:25 AM	#13
9mm Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2011 Location: Land of the Free Posts: 2,834	Well you can thank S&W for the crappy grips. LCR has nice comfy grips. My S&W 642 hurts like crap, and when you shoot 75 rounds in a hour? OW!!! I wish I could get the LCR grip on my S&W it would make life easier. The back of the S&W j frames are nothing but metal, unlike the LCR.

September 13, 2012, 11:58 PM	#14
Axelwik Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2012 Location: Land of Enchantment Posts: 436	I really like my LCR in 38+P.

September 14, 2012, 11:39 PM	#16
QuarterHorse Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2010 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 421	In love with my SP101 2" recently converted to DAO. I could shoot magnum rounds all day no issues with it. I'm not too recoil sensitive with handguns so take it with a grain of salt. __________________ Never enough toys

September 15, 2012, 12:53 AM	#17
wayneinFL Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Posts: 1,944	My first revolver was a model 10. My next purchase was a 340PD- my first 357. I went to the range and tried out an airweight 38- nice and snappy, I thought. I saw the 340PD behind the counter and thought, how bad could a 357 possibly be? I bought the 340PD and a box of 50 rounds of S&B 158gr 357s. The instant after the first shot I thought the gun blew up and took my arm with it. I concentrated on the sight picture, squeezed.... BANG! And I'm looking at the target with no gun in sight. I looked to see the gun pointed straight up in the air. I got through 20 rounds. A buddy of mine asked what ot was like to shoot a cylinder full of 357s. I told him if he wanted to know, all he had to do was lay his hand on a workbench and smack the web of his hand with a hammer.

September 15, 2012, 03:15 PM	#19
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I own a S&W 340PD and although the recoil is stiff I don't find it unmanageable with the 125grns I've shot through it. I'll carry the 340PD a lot and shoot it little so don't find the recoil much of a concern. Now if you want an easy to shoot.357 Mag snubbie and don't mind the 24oz weight I can recommend the Chiappa Rhino. It mitigates the recoil so well you wont believe you shooting .357 Mags. I'm carrying mine right now. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

September 18, 2012, 11:35 AM	#20
Madcap_Magician Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 668	The scandium and titanium J-frames are actually .38 Specials. S&W only labeled some of them .357 magnum as a practical joke.

September 18, 2012, 11:58 AM	#21
old bear Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Not close enough to the beach Posts: 1,477	One of the many reasons I like the .357 Magnum so much, is the ability to safely shoot such a wide selection of different ammo through one. Everything from mild to wild. Not that WILD is always a real good idea, as the O/P discovered.

September 18, 2012, 01:39 PM	#22
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	"S&W only labeled them as .357 Magnum as a practical joke." And there it is, kids. The Truth. I think that building a gun that is nice and light for all day carry is not a really bad idea but there is a limit beyond which you enter into the Realm of Stupid.

September 18, 2012, 05:59 PM	#23
Obambulate Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Posts: 582	I agree. The thing could be even smaller and lighter if they built it on a .38 Special frame instead of the J-magnum frame. A 10-oz .38 Special Centennial would be sweet. I think they made one for a year or two.

September 19, 2012, 05:04 PM	#24
lowercase Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Posts: 287	For .357, my 21-ounce Charter Arms Mag Pug is about as light as I want to go. Definitely "lively", but still a lot of fun with .357. By contrast, my S&W 642 with .38 +P feels like catching a fast ball bare-handed. OUCH. The Pachmayr Compac grips make a big difference, though.

September 19, 2012, 07:17 PM	#25
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	An 11 oz 357 Mag? You guys are masochists. I shoot my friends sp 101 and it's interesting enough. I'm used to 40+ oz in Magnums, usually more.