NEW Smith & Wesson M&P340 Revolver (HD)

Published on April 20, 2015
Duration: 12:17

This review of the Smith & Wesson M&P340 J-frame revolver highlights its lightweight scandium alloy frame and stainless steel barrel liner, chambered for .357 Magnum but tested with .38 Special and various defensive rounds. The reviewer notes its significant recoil compared to a Ruger LCR, attributed to its lighter weight and lack of a rubber backstrap. Accuracy is deemed good for a J-frame, though managing recoil and a heavy trigger pull (estimated 10-12 lbs) requires practice. Different ammunition types, including Hornady Critical Defense, Corbon DPX, and Winchester PDX1, are tested, with observations on felt recoil and grouping.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson M&P340 is a lightweight J-frame revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, featuring a scandium alloy frame and Trijicon night sights. It produces significant felt recoil due to its 13-ounce weight, making recoil management a key training focus. Its trigger pull is estimated at 10-12 lbs, requiring practice for accuracy.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the S&W M&P340
  2. 00:14Caliber and Construction Details
  3. 00:24Front Night Sight Feature
  4. 00:41First Shooting Impressions & Missed Shot
  5. 01:16Recoil Comparison: M&P340 vs. Ruger LCR
  6. 01:30Reason for Purchasing M&P340
  7. 01:51Target Analysis After Shots
  8. 02:00Felt Recoil and Grip
  9. 02:11Firearm Weight Discussion
  10. 02:33Second Shooter's Initial Impressions
  11. 03:12Trigger Pull Assessment
  12. 03:20Target Difficulty and Comparison
  13. 04:03Shooting Consistency and Grouping
  14. 04:13Target Results and Analysis
  15. 04:36Recoil Assessment with .38 Special
  16. 04:56Training Necessity for Compact Revolvers
  17. 05:13More M&P340 Action with PMC Bronze
  18. 05:16Planned Hollow Point Testing
  19. 05:51Reloading with Speedloaders
  20. 06:02Reloading Speed and Grouping
  21. 06:15Attempting Headshots
  22. 06:34Trigger Pull Errors and Misses
  23. 06:54Trigger Pull Weight Estimation
  24. 07:10Testing Hornady Critical Defense
  25. 07:18Reloading with Gloves On
  26. 07:43Accuracy with Hornady Critical Defense
  27. 08:03Best Shooting Performance So Far
  28. 08:23Recoil of Critical Defense vs. Practice Rounds
  29. 08:40Observation of Unburned Powder
  30. 09:01Second Shooter's Turn with Hornady
  31. 09:33Recoil Assessment of Hornady Rounds
  32. 09:50Introducing Corbon DPX Ammunition
  33. 10:21Accuracy Comparison: Corbon DPX vs. Hornady
  34. 10:27Recoil Comparison: Corbon DPX vs. Hornady
  35. 10:45Testing Winchester PDX1 Ammunition
  36. 11:18Accuracy with Winchester PDX1
  37. 11:39Overall Accuracy of the J-frame
  38. 11:44Recoil vs. LCR and Manageability
  39. 11:53Training Frequency and Proficiency
  40. 12:00Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the Smith & Wesson M&P340 revolver?

The S&W M&P340 is a J-frame revolver with a lightweight scandium alloy frame, a full underlug, and a stainless steel barrel liner. It is chambered in .357 Magnum and often equipped with a Trijicon front night sight for improved low-light visibility.

How does the recoil of the Smith & Wesson M&P340 compare to other revolvers?

The M&P340, weighing around 13 ounces, exhibits significantly more felt recoil than heavier revolvers like the Ruger LCR, especially when firing .357 Magnum or even stout .38 Special loads. This is due to its light weight and lack of a substantial grip cushion.

What is the estimated trigger pull weight for the S&W M&P340?

The trigger pull on the Smith & Wesson M&P340 is described as heavy, with estimates from shooters in the video ranging from 10 to 12 pounds. This heavier pull requires deliberate practice to manage effectively and maintain accuracy.

Which ammunition performed best in the M&P340 review?

In the review, the Winchester PDX1 130 grain ammunition produced the tightest groups at nine yards. While the Corbon DPX 110gr was slightly snappier, and Hornady Critical Defense 110gr showed some unburned powder, the PDX1 offered superior accuracy in this test.

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