Any idea what I shoud ask for a unfired in box for a 342PD in like new condition?

Between $400-500.

Yeah, $400-$500 if you're selling it to me!
If you're just putting out there I'd say you could get at least $600 in the current market, S&W probably isn't going to making any new sub-11oz .38's again any time soon.

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Wow, tough call. We have seen them sell, unfired/anib, on the auction sites for $900, if memory serves me. I think that's crazy, but it's happened several times. I'd hate to ask a friend to pay that much, but you have to consider your other financial obligations as well. Good luck.

The days of reasonable gun prices are behind us. Unless it's a friend, you should get at least $600 for it and probably more.

I don't sell to friends because I want the most return for my investment. I don't buy guns that will depreciate in value, so I won't sell them for less than market value either . . . just don't go selling them to certain KY folks for $600 and see them listed the following day for $1,200.

__________________
vim vi repellere licet

No lock would bring in a bit more. Personally, a no lock 342PD is one of the top two pistols on my list, I would pay a premium.

I stumbled onto a Pre-Lock in that range last month. (Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then) I find it a better carry piece than the 642 or even the 38 BG. It is rated for +P, but I load up with std pressure Nyclads and feel adequately armed. It is a "keeper", but even if I were to sell it, it would be @ a premium of some sort.

I stand corrected. I misread it as 432pd.

Unfired pre-lock 342 PD could sell for up to $1000.

Absolutely, but are there many of them left.........unfired?

Agreed. Several months back one NIB pre-lock 342PD sold for more than a thousand dollars on GunBroker, while others have sold in the $800's and $900's. So providing the gun actually is pre-lock, it's a very desirable and very valuable gun. If it has an internal lock, however, it would be worth far less--maybe $500 or so.

The 342PD is a pre-lock. Thanks for all the info.

And my post assumed pre-lock. Post-lock would be a fair bit less. Looks like the OP has confirmed that it's pre-lock, so $900-1000 is probably "fair" (whatever that means) market value.

IIRC, the pre-lock production run was only about one year. I think you're right about how few are unfired, and that's part of what drives the absurd prices. I know of at least one unfired example.

I know of another.

I know of a third one!

I have a mint condition 342PD for sale. I will entertain REASONABLE offers. [email protected]
I also have for sale a mint Ruger P512 .22LR