Smith & Wesson Model 340
- Category
- Pistol
- Barrel
- 48 mm
- Weight, empty
- 340 g
- Introduced
- 2001
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 is an ultra-lightweight J-frame snubnose revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, introduced in 2001 as one of the first production revolvers to combine a scandium alloy frame with a titanium cylinder. Weighing just 12 ounces empty (340 grams, hence the model designation), this five-shot double-action/single-action revolver represents one of the lightest .357 Magnum handguns ever manufactured. Built on Smith & Wesson's compact J-frame platform with a 1.875-inch barrel featuring a corrosion-resistant stainless steel liner, the Model 340 utilizes advanced aerospace materials to achieve exceptional weight reduction while maintaining the structural integrity required to safely fire full-power .357 Magnum ammunition developing 35,000 PSI chamber pressure. The scandium-enhanced aluminum alloy frame provides superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to standard aluminum, while the titanium cylinder further reduces mass without compromising durability. The revolver features fixed sights with a red ramp front sight for rapid acquisition, an exposed hammer allowing single-action cocking for precision shots, and synthetic grips designed to manage recoil. The natural gray titanium cylinder contrasts with the matte silver finish of the scandium frame, creating Smith & Wesson's signature aesthetic for their AirLite series. Designed for deep concealment carry where weight is the primary concern, the Model 340 chambers both .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P ammunition, giving users flexibility between maximum stopping power and reduced-recoil practice loads. At under one pound loaded, the Model 340 is light enough to carry all day in a pocket or ankle holster.
When Smith & Wesson unveiled the Model 340 in 2001, firearms journalists were skeptical that a 12-ounce revolver could safely handle .357 Magnum pressures. After extensive testing proved the design sound, the 340 became the concealed carry benchmark, proving that modern materials science could deliver magnum power in a package that weighed less than many .380 pistols.
The Model 340 was revolutionary when introduced in 2001, being one of the first production .357 Magnum revolvers to weigh less than 13 ounces. Scandium is a rare-earth element that, when alloyed with aluminum in concentrations less than one percent, dramatically increases tensile strength while adding minimal weight. The titanium alloy cylinder can withstand repeated firing of full-power .357 Magnum loads, though many users prefer .38 Special +P ammunition for more manageable recoil in such a lightweight package. The 1.875-inch barrel length is optimized for concealment while still providing adequate velocity from defensive ammunition. The Model 340 lacks an internal lock, distinguishing it from later variants and appealing to users who prefer the simpler, more traditional design. Trigger pull weight in double-action typically measures 11-12 pounds, while single-action pull runs approximately 4-5 pounds. The extreme light weight results in significant felt recoil with .357 Magnum loads, making grip technique and hand strength important factors in controllability. The Model 340 is often compared to the Ruger LCR and SP101, both of which weigh significantly more despite similar dimensions. Smith & Wesson produces several variants including the 340PD (hammerless) and 340M&P (with internal lock).
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Category
- Pistol
- Country
- United States
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2001
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 48 mm
- Overall length
- 160 mm
- Height
- 110 mm
- Width
- 36 mm
- Weight, empty
- 340 g
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Firing mechanism
- Double action single action
- Trigger
- Double action single action
- Trigger pull
- 50.0 N
- Capacity
- 5
- Magazine
- Rotary
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Scandium alloy
- Barrel
- Titanium
- Finish
- Matte silver
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 380 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 585 J
- Effective range
- 35 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
J frame
Fixed sights
Scandium alloy frame
Titanium cylinder
5 shot cylinder
Exposed hammer- Ultra lightweight
- Stainless barrel liner
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 79 .357 Magnum pistols | 340 g | 965 g | Lighter than about 90% |
| Overall lengthAmong 78 .357 Magnum pistols | 160 mm | 236 mm | Shorter than about 90% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 79 .357 Magnum pistols | 48 mm | 102 mm | Shorter than about 90% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 79 .357 Magnum pistols | 5 | 6 | Holds fewer rounds than about 90% |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the Smith & Wesson Model 340
How much does the Smith & Wesson Model 340 weigh?
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 weighs 340 g (12.0 oz) empty.
What caliber is the Smith & Wesson Model 340?
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 is chambered in .357 Magnum and .38 Special.
How many rounds does the Smith & Wesson Model 340 hold?
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 holds 5 rounds, fed from a rotary magazine.
How long is the Smith & Wesson Model 340?
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 is 160 mm (6.30 in) long overall, with a 48 mm (1.89 in) barrel.
Who makes the Smith & Wesson Model 340?
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 is made by Smith & Wesson (United States).
When was the Smith & Wesson Model 340 introduced?
The Smith & Wesson Model 340 was introduced in 2001.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
Provenance
Confidence in this record
83%
Stockists
Where to buy
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The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/smith-wesson-340' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "smith-wesson-340", "name": "Smith & Wesson Model 340", "manufacturer": { "id": "smith-wesson", "name": "Smith & Wesson", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1852, "website": "https://www.smith-wesson.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:40", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:40:48", "version": "6e259a578cb1b21d72610d761d652c983ff25806b9e736e2db8d2938596e9202" }, "category": { "id": "pistol", "name": "Pistol", "description": "Handguns designed to be fired with one or two hands" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 2001, "barrel_length_mm": 48, "weight_empty_g": 340, "action_type": null}