6 Smith and Wesson 340PD Problems that Happens Frequently

The Smith and Wesson Model 340PD is a J-frame revolver featuring a lightweight scandium alloy frame. It has a stainless steel barrel with a snag-free enclosed hammer.

However, there are a few common issues that you might experience.

The most frequent difficulties with the Smith & Wesson 340PD are titanium cylinder erosion, difficult extraction, cylinder jamming, ammo stuck in the chambers, grips hurting, and unaligned rear sight.

I’ll explain a few common issues with the Smith & Wesson 340PD in this post. So let’s start by taking a look at some of this gun’s characteristics and specifications.

Features & Specifications of Smith and Wesson 340PD Gun:

Smith and Wesson 340PD Specs
Cartridge357 Magnum, 38 S&W Special +P
Capacity5 Rounds
Barrel Length1.875 Inches
Weight (Unloaded)11.8 Ounces or 334.52 Grams
Length6.30 Inches
GripSynthetic
Action TypeDouble Action Only
SafetyInternal Lock
SightsFront – HI-VIZ Fiber Optic Green Rear – Fixed
Common Smith and Wesson 340PD Problems and Solutions
Smith and Wesson 340PD

Common Smith and Wesson 340PD Problems and Solutions

Problems with Smith and Wesson 340PDSolutions
Titanium Cylinder ErosionUse bullets with a grain greater than 120 and shorter bullets.
Difficult ExtractionChange the central pin and yoke retention pin.
Cylinder JammingTighten the ejector rod.
Ammo Stuck in the ChambersClean the chambers after every shooting session.
Grips Hurt While ShootingGet Houge or Pachmayr rubber grips.
Unaligned Rear SightSend the gun to Smith and Wesson for a replacement.

1. Titanium Cylinder Erosion:

Due to the titanium cylinder of this firearm, some buyers are reluctant to purchase it. Because wrong bullet use might cause the cylinder to deteriorate. The use of light bullets (less than 120 grain) will cause the cylinder to wear.

The problem with these light bullets is their length, which is related to their weight. The cylinder may erode if you apply anything abrasive to it.

Cylinder Erosion
Cylinder Erosion

Eroded Cylinder
Eroded Cylinder

The Fix:

Never load any powder faster than Unique to avoid this problem. You can attempt to prevent this corrosion by using a decent Unique load of 140 grain Silvertips.

You can swap out your existing bullets for shorter ones because shorter bullets leave the case mouth earlier when pressures and temperatures are at their highest.

Keep in mind that after the cylinder began to degrade, you should never shoot a gun. because there’s a chance the gun will catch fire.

2. Difficult Extraction:

While using the revolver, you may well have difficult extraction. Occasionally, a strong extraction might cause the brass inside the cylinder to crack.

The cylinder may not be hitting the frame properly, or the yoke retention screw may be damaged or too tight, which is cutting the bullets.

Sometimes there is not enough pressure applied to the center extractor pin, which results in this.

The Fix:

Check if the extractor’s central pin is in the proper position. Also, remember to examine the yoke retention pin; if it is broken, replace it as soon as you can.

It’s a major problem, so if you can’t fix it yourself, call a professional or send it to the manufacturer for repair.

3. Cylinder Jamming:

While shooting the 357 Magnums, the cylinder seems to lock up.

It locks up when you try to get the cylinder out of the slot. You might need to apply pressure to unlock the cylinder. If the ejector rod is not tightened, this happens frequently.

The Fix:

Inspect the ejector rod of your Smith and Wesson 340PD. If it is loose, you have to tighten it.

Open the cylinder to inspect the rod properly. If you cannot tighten it yourself, take the gun to a gunsmith.

4. Ammo Stuck in the Chambers:

Firing the 357 Magnum ammo on the Smith and Wesson 340PD may seem normal but while getting the ammo casings out of the chambers, you might have trouble.

The casings seem to get stuck inside the cylinder chambers. This happens due to fouling in the chamber for using the 357 Magnum cartridges.

If the chambers of the cylinder are dirty, this problem occurs.

The Fix:

Since the problem occurs with a dirty gun, you have to keep it clean. An unclean gun will have a buildup of gunpowder and lead inside the cylinder chambers.

Use proper tools and lubrication techniques to clean the chambers. Do it after or before every shooting session.

5. Grips Hurt While Shooting:

The grips of the Smith and Wesson 340PD are widely known to give many people a bad shooting experience. Some people experience blisters on their shooting hands.

The build quality of the grips on this revolver is not comfortable for some users, especially rookies.

The Fix:

You should get a new grip for the Smith and Wesson 340PD if you do not want to hurt your hands.

Houge or Pachmayr grips are best for this gun. A comfortable rubber grip like the Hogue Monogrip Rubber Grip for J Frame is a great option for this gun.

6. Unaligned Rear Sight:

The top strap of the Smith and Wesson 340PD’s rear sight may have a factory fault. Specifically, the strap on either side may be smaller than the other one.

As a result, the groove of the rear sight is also off-center. If you look at the rear sight while shooting, you will be able the see the other side of the strap due to the issue.

The Fix:

Since the top strap of the rear sight leading to the front sight is not adjustable horizontally, you cannot fix this issue. Also, the accuracy will decrease if you shoot with a faulty sight.

To get this issue fixed, you have to send the gun back to Smith and Wesson. They will either send you a new gun or replace the top part of the gun with an aligned rear sight.

User Feedback on Smith and Wesson 340PD

The Smith and Wesson 340PD is a great revolver for shooting 357 Magnum or 38 Special ammo. But you may face some problems according to many users on many forums, blogs, and videos.

In a post on the Blade Forums, some people suggested buying the revolver. But some also suggested against the scandium frame of the gun. Especially, shooting the 357 Magnum is not suggested.

Many people on this post from The Firing Ling have suggested this gun. One user has said that it is best to use an ankle holster with the Smith and Wesson 340PD.

Another user on the Defensive Carry forum has expressed his great dissatisfaction with this revolver. You should have a look at this heavily discussed post.

Top 3 Alternative Guns of Smith and Wesson 340PD

Here are some best alternatives for the Smith and Wesson 340PD:

  1. Smith and Wesson 66
    – Can fire 357 Magnum and has a capacity of 6 rounds.
    – Features a 2-piece barrel and a K-frame for $914.00.
    – Has red ramp front sight and adjustable black blade rear sight.
  2. Ruger GP 100
    – Has 27 models supporting 357 Mag, 10mm Auto, 327 Fed Mag, 44 Special, and 22 LR.
    – Comes with Hogue Monogrip, cushioned rubber with hardwood insert, walnut, or checkered hardwood grips.
  3. Colt King Cobra Carry
    – Can shoot 357 Magnum with a capacity of 6 rounds per cylinder.
    – Features a 3-inch barrel with a double-action-only mode.
    – Costs $899.00.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the Smith and Wesson 340PD support night sights?

Yes, it does.

What type of gun is the Smith and Wesson 340PD?

A personal protection (personal defense) revolver.

How much does the Smith and Wesson 340PD cost?

$1095.00.

Are there any variants of the Smith and Wesson 340PD?

Yes, M&P 340 which weighs 13.3 ounces.

What are some limitations of the Smith and Wesson 340PD?

Frame erosion, accuracy, and cylinder jamming.

What is the frame material of the Smith and Wesson 340PD revolver?

Scandium alloy frame with a matte black finish.

Which materials are used to build the barrel and the cylinder of the Smith and Wesson 340PD?

Stainless steel and titanium alloy.

Conclusion

These are the six most common Smith and Wesson 340PD problems that most people experience frequently. I have included the best 340PD troubleshooting techniques in this article.

Follow the instructions thoroughly and carefully to get your Smith and Wesson 340PD fixed if you have any of these issues.

1 comment
  1. This is an extremely helpful article. I’m in the market for a 340 PD and reading this just saved me from buying a gun with significant cylinder erosion. Thank you!

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