I picked this revolver up a little while ago and its now become a favorite of mine for carrying and target practice. The 242ti was only made for one year and is a scandium framed, 7 shot, titanium cylinder, 38 spl +p built on the L Frame. When I cleaned this gun after I got it, it exposed the very beginnings of cylinder erosion. I called Smith and Wesson and as expected, no replacements. I also asked if there was a stainless cylinder that could be swapped the the rep said the cylinder dimensions were different between the 242ti and the 686+.

After a little help and guidance from Hondo (thanks again!) I sprung for a new 686+ cylinder since we confirmed the dimensions were the same. Install was a breeze and no adjustments were needed in order to fit the stainless cylinder. Weight difference isn't bad and I can shoot it a lot more now. When carrying, I just swap back the old cylinder to save weight. It fits great in my 696 holsters, and 7 shots of 38 special feels good. I also opted to swap out the uncle mikes for some wood and a t grip. The rubber grips tend to snag on my t shirt which is annoying. This is one sweet shooter though, I've been keeping my eye out for a 296 and a 396 as well. Don't see them for sale often. Below is the package!

From what I have read over the past few years the frame is the regular alloy & not scandium due to not needing scandium for non magnum round. It has no blast shield. I have not read of a non magnum round eroding the titanium cylinder maybe improper cleaning of the cylinder face removed the protective coating along with hot hand loads contributed to the erosion. Later on there were non magnum frames with scandium & blast shields along with titanium cylinders mainly in 45 acp.

Nice. I've only seen one in the wild. The 242 is one of S&W's more interesting models.

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Can this be cocked by the hammer? I can't really see from the photos,but it looks DA only?

Correct, it has the Bodyguard ("humpback") frame contour but is DAO.

Didn't realize the 686+ cylinder fits, good information.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

S&W has a way of creating great revolvers and then discontinuing them way too soon. The 242 (or something similar) should be going head to head with the K6S. Unfortunately there's not a single lightweight, short barreled K/L frame in the catalog anymore.

I hope they bring this back, and/or the Nightguard series.

I like this L frame 7 shot concept..but really would prefer the ability to single action the hammer like the J frame "humpback". To me,this is the best feature of the shrouded hammer design.Still an intriguing revolver. It seems during this time frame, S&W was throwing a lot of spaghetti against the wall to see what would stick..

Yes, the 242Ti was made during the era called "gun of the month" at S & W. Roy Jinks has mentioned this as an exciting time to work there and I have no doubt it was .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220