Thanks to everyone who posted. Darryl, I appreciate you taking the time to post about this - one guy buying one revolver. They all appeal to me, but I'm really on the fence here because the issue before this has been money. That issue is now out of the picture. When I reread my op, I realized I left out some details. I have live fired most of them and dry fired all of the models described here (so far!). The advantages and disadvantages are obvious. The "common sense" part of me should have quit saving money when I reached $400 - $500, dictating which revolver, probably one of the 642 models. However, I kept trying out different ones (saving more $$ as time passed), always coming back to the M&P 340. What can I say - it speaks to me!
Having said all that, camsdaddy, would the one you're describing be SKU#178042? I am considering that one and SKU#163811, which is a 642 with Crimson Trace grips. More information - thanks!