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Up1911Fan
06-11-2014, 12:02 AM
Opinions on an M&P 340 vs a 442 plus having C&S install the Bowen Sights? Installation of the sights plus regulating would be $307, not including tritium on the front. Would that be substantially better than the U- Notch rear/XS front? Either gun would be a no lock.

GJM
06-11-2014, 12:12 AM
Opinions on an M&P 340 vs a 442 plus having C&S install the Bowen Sights? Installation of the sights plus regulating would be $307, not including tritium on the front. Would that be substantially better than the U- Notch rear/XS front? Either gun would be a no lock.

I actually have both those models with Bowen sights. I prefer the 340, but that is subjective and I can't tell you exactly why. I really like Bowen sights.

RevolverRob
06-11-2014, 12:26 AM
Have you tried stock ramp sight + CT laser grip on a J-Frame? I've found that combo to be better than XS Dot/Notch for me personally, because the CT dot is still smaller than the XS dot. It might be another option to the Bowen sights. I like the Bowen sights, but 300 bucks installed and regulated is a steep price, they are good sights, but I don't know if I could say substantially better than XS/Rear notch, substantially better than ramp/rear notch? Yes. Substantially better than ramp front/rear notch + CT? Maybe...

340 vs. 442 - I'm a 442/642 fan but I also go with 158-grain +P LHPs as my carry load. If I moved to 135-grain Gold Dot, I would probably dump the 442/642 for a 340. The main reason is that virtually every fixed sight .38 J-Frame is regulated on 158-grain ammo, but the .357 J-Frames are regulated on lighter 125-grain bullets, so the 135s are fairly close on the stock sights. That plus the lighter weight of the 340.

As an aside you might also check out the Gemini Custom pocket protector package typically done on 642/442s. Gemini has started milling the front sights to run 135-grain Gold Dot. You can get it without porting and you'll get milled sights, plus an action job for $300. That package + a set of LG-105s would result in a most excellent carry J-frame.

-Rob

Up1911Fan
06-11-2014, 12:36 AM
I actually have both those models with Bowen sights. I prefer the 340, but that is subjective and I can't tell you exactly why. I really like Bowen sights.

Are the ok for pocket carry?

GJM
06-11-2014, 08:30 AM
Are the ok for pocket carry?

I have carried the 340 in a Kramer pocket holster for many years.

1slow
06-11-2014, 09:06 AM
I wish S&W would put the 640 Pro Trijicon sights on an alloy gun. That with a CT would be very good.

GJM
06-11-2014, 09:26 AM
I wish S&W would put the 640 Pro Trijicon sights on an alloy gun. That with a CT would be very good.

+100 on that.

Here is my 340 as modified by H Bowen:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/3401_zps7d7c2fea.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/3401_zps7d7c2fea.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/3402_zpsae822ac7.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/3402_zpsae822ac7.jpg.html)

Up1911Fan
06-11-2014, 10:08 PM
Thanks for the pics. Your rear install looks better than some of the Google images I've seen. No tritium?

GJM
06-11-2014, 11:00 PM
Thanks for the pics. Your rear install looks better than some of the Google images I've seen. No tritium?

nope, figured the CT grips cover that base.

Savage Hands
06-12-2014, 12:51 AM
I have a new 442 with CT LG 405 for sale on Calguns :)

Rich
06-16-2014, 08:04 AM
Have you tried stock ramp sight + CT laser grip on a J-Frame? I've found that combo to be better than XS Dot/Notch for me personally, because the CT dot is still smaller than the XS dot. It might be another option to the Bowen sights. I like the Bowen sights, but 300 bucks installed and regulated is a steep price, they are good sights, but I don't know if I could say substantially better than XS/Rear notch, substantially better than ramp/rear notch? Yes. Substantially better than ramp front/rear notch + CT? Maybe...

340 vs. 442 - I'm a 442/642 fan but I also go with 158-grain +P LHPs as my carry load. If I moved to 135-grain Gold Dot, I would probably dump the 442/642 for a 340. The main reason is that virtually every fixed sight .38 J-Frame is regulated on 158-grain ammo, but the .357 J-Frames are regulated on lighter 125-grain bullets, so the 135s are fairly close on the stock sights. That plus the lighter weight of the 340.

As an aside you might also check out the Gemini Custom pocket protector package typically done on 642/442s. Gemini has started milling the front sights to run 135-grain Gold Dot. You can get it without porting and you'll get milled sights, plus an action job for $300. That package + a set of LG-105s would result in a most excellent carry J-frame.

-Rob

My M640 & M649 both 357magnums have a POA/POI that = 158

Rich
06-16-2014, 08:17 AM
+100 on that.

Here is my 340 as modified by H Bowen:



Nice !



I had a gunsmith cut a dovetail into my FS and ad a orange insert cost me 20 bucks.


I wish I could afford higher quality sights