The only thing I trust more than my Glock 19 is this five shot revolver. I grew up shooting my dad’s stainless .357 and I was hooked, so much so I had to get my own. The Smith & Wesson 340 is the ultimate concealed weapon that I would recommend to anyone looking for an easy to learn and pocket-friendly pistol. One reason I selected this revolver because it has the ability to fire from my pocket due to a shrouded hammer making it snag free, the cylinder will also not grab any fabric like a slide would from a Glock 43 or Xds.
The first thing you will notice when picking this gun up is the weight. I routinely pick this sidearm over my Glock 19 just because of the weight difference. If I’m more likely going to carry something because it’s easy to, I am more likely to be prepared. Part of this weight difference is due to the titanium cylinder it uses; the only drawback is you are required to use 120-grain ammunition, if you don’t you will prematurely wear the cylinder.
The first thing I did to it was to install VZ g10 grips. I purchased both the textured and the smooth grips. I generally prefer the textured when I am at the range, although when I am carrying I don’t like that sandpaper feel they have against my body so I opt for the smooth most of the time. The next modification I might do is changing the sights to a tritium one, the stock painted red sight does little to present itself.
I use a leather Galco holster (outside waistband) Carry, which is how I roll with it when covered by a long shirt or I place it in the holster inside a jacket pocket. At the range this thing is a beast, it’s always fun to watch people shoot this hand cannon and complain about the pain of .357 magnum from an ultralight handgun. 38 special ammunition is much more controllable and generally what I will pair the weapon with when carrying concealed.
If you are looking at purchasing your own I would look into the standard 38 special aluminum model with a stainless cylinder. At around $250 used it sure beats the 340 price tag of $850. The 38 is also nearly as light as the .357 counterpart anyways.
Author – William Hoyt is a former Army Ranger of 1/75. He is now pursuing his bachelors in psychology and coaching swimming.
