342 PD Ti

[681ismyfavorite]

so tomorrow I am going to buy a locked 342 PD Ti. I found a local shop that will remove the lock and install a plug so I won't have that concern. This gun being listed at 11 oz. will be a nice drop in pocket option for this time of year when coat pocket carry offers an advantage.

Loading this with some light ammo such as 110gr. reduced recoil Hydra-shoks seems like an option, but I am going to try some target wadcutters. yes, I know about the lead ammo concerns jumping crimp but a target wad cutter should remove that issue of cylinder binding.

anyway, I'm not going to ruin this gun by adding a set of grips as big as the gun itself, or anything else that will increase its size and weight. its going to be a last ditch or immediate action go between. IF you HAVE one or HAD one what's your take on the gun from personal experience?

Thanks.

[CH4]

Yes, I have one without the lock so it only weighs 10.7 ounces.
I really like mine for pocket carry. I haven't shot it much, but it’s definitely snappy with 38 +P.

[Loyaljeeper]

I have the 342ti. While it is lighter than an airweight, I don’t find it any harder to shoot. Why don’t you try it first before you replace the grips?

[1971mopar]

I picked up a locked 342pd about six or so months ago. I love it. Mine comes in at 10.8 ounces. It has the original grips on it. Like you, the last thing I wanted to do was put a large, heavy set of grips on it and make it the same weight as the LCR I had.

I pocket carry 95% of the time, and this gun is a pleasure to carry. Some guys will say a few ounces doesn't make a difference, well, good for them. But its a noticeable difference to me when pocket carrying. There is a guy on this board who owns a 342 and knows the exact weight of several grip options for the 342. Maybe he will chime in. Here is a thread where he posted several grip weights. I'd like to try the Eagle Secret Serice grips or the Ahrends. SEEKING OPINIONS ON "VZ GRIPS"

You will need to experiment and find what ammo works for you.

[HardToHandle]

/\ my experience.... Two or three ounces makes a massive difference in the concealment, e.g. printing in the pocket.

Across a variety of coats, a sub 11 ounce gun disappears. The 14 ounce 442 looks like a gun in the pocket. I was most surprised that this held with a Carhartt brand chore coat/hooded sweatshirt cut jacket I like in the winter.

Neither are fun to shoot with anything more than wadcutters in my opinion.

[Old cop]

I’ve owned the no-lock 340PD for several years and found it to be a great pocket carry. Shooting +P isn’t too bad but magnums are too harsh for quick & accurate follow up shots. I put S&W wood magnas w/a grip adapter for pocket carry.

[mikerjf]

I probably shouldn't stick my oar in, never had one... but I do have plenty of Airweight experience.

1. Target loads are no fun in an Airweight, I can't imagine they're better in an Airlite. Just saying. I load my own, and have some real light loads I mix into practice sessions to help. But the thing that helps the most is bigger heavier grips.

2. I wouldn't worry about finding grips 1 oz lighter. I'd worry about shooting it with those grips.

[H Richard]

Be careful with those 110 gr loads, they will cause flame cutting in your top strap, and will cause the POI to be lower than your POA, even at 10 yards.

[Old_Cop]

I have a 342 which I load with Hornady 158Gr. XTP. It is a bear to shoot, but great to carry. It has CT rubber grips which contribute greatly to my ability to empty a cylinder. I use the 158s because I believe that the potential penetration is worth it from a 2" barrel. To me the laser is one more possible means to convince a perpetrator to cease and desist without shooting him.

[Jim Sharp]

I, too, have a 340PD with CT grips and it has become my primary edc. You might like something like the ubiquitous no-lead defense rounds (ARX and others) because they feature high muzzle velocity and reduced recoil. I often shoot sjhp .38's and experience no recoil or accuracy problems. Great little revolver and as already mentioned, light as a feather. Enjoy.

[M29since14]

I think the 342PD is probably the best J-frame .38 the company ever made, and maybe the best J-frame period. I say that because the Model 34 is a terrific little gun that doesn’t serve the same purpose at all, but still made on the J-frame. I agree 100% about using the grips that come with the gun, or something similar. For ammo, I still like the old Federal 139-gr Hydrashok, but practice with 125 gr jacketed reloads.

[681ismyfavorite]

I picked it up, but I think I am going to search for some different [smaller] grips than the rubber "boot grip" that are on it. maybe some wood grips on the same size like a cocobolo or something. for now the 110 gr. reduced recoil hydra-shoks and the 110 xtp flex tips until I decide on a regular round for it.

[681ismyfavorite]

this is a really light gun. I held in in my natural hand scale and found it was lighter than my LCR .22lr, and hard to say against my LWS32....

[BigBoku]

I have owned a 342 and 342PD (both pre-lock) for many years with the personal choice of ammunition for all my .38 Specials being the Speer 135Gr +P GDHP.

The above load is a tad snappy but very manageable out of the 342/342PD of which I would shoot anywhere from 50-100 Rounds a session.

The best concealed carry J frame grip configuration for my hands has always been OEM standard wood with a Tyler T Grip which I have on my 640 and 642PC. But what I absolutely love on my 342 and 342PD are the CTC LG405’s, the rubber over mold on top of the polymer base and air pocket at the top of the back strap make this grip as comfortable as it gets for me in this compact of a package.

So to make a long story, short, IMHO the 342/342PD are great guns that require a tad bit more TLC than their steel cylinder cousins.

Enjoy BB

[kaaskop49]

I commented on my 342 in another recent thread on this model. A search should uncover it; I do not know how to do links. My 342 is a beast: I can handle my M&P and PD 340s but the 342 actually hurts to shoot. You must pay attention to bullet-pull with this model. I had to try several of the recommended jacketed bullet loads before I found one in which the bullet did not pull out of the case. I tried my preferred LHP loads which dwell in my other Js. These bullets also pulled, so the 342 sits in my safe while the 340s do the heavy lifting, and with magnum loads.

The 342 is an interesting gun which requires extra pains to shoot and use.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[druryj]

I have the 340pd and it clearly states in the manual not to shoot .357 rounds with bullets lighter than 125 gr. If you do anyway, it will erode the front of the cylinder face within very few rounds and cut into the top strap, as well as likely suffer crimp jump. Then you have an $850 paperweight. It’s the higher velocity and flame using light 357 loads that ruins the gun. Stick with 135 gr or greater if shooting .357 rounds, I use 158 gr. Now this is applicable only with .357; shooting .38’s; it doesn’t matter how light the bullet is. This is from S&W; not something I made up.

Now, any of these Scandium/Titanium Airlites are very difficulty to shoot with 357 rounds. Anyone who tells you they can put a box of 50 down range with no problem is either full of it, outright lying, or they are such a man-beast they don’t even really need a gun. I’m no lightweight and I can manage shooting 5 rounds. After that, I see no use in subjecting myself to further pain and possibly yanking my shoulder out of joint. I practice with 38’s, load it with .38 +P Hornady CD 110 gr and enjoy the gun for its light weight and the fact that it so easy to carry. Imagine a stick of dynamite going off in your hand when you let off a hot 357 round and you’re close.


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[681ismyfavorite]

got the lock delete kit done to it. now its ready to rock'n roll.

[andyinlz]

When I was shopping for a small pocket carry snub, I spoke to a S&W rep at a "shoot our guns for free" day at a large Chicagoland indoor range.

He said that the 342s were so unpopular and hard to handle that he didn't even bother to take them to free range days.

His experience was that nobody would buy one after shooting them at his events.

I eventually settled on a TALO Performance Center 642.

YMMV

[kaaskop49]

^^^^ what he said. Ayoob reviewed the 'sister' Model 337 when it appeared in 1998, I forget which publication. On firing, the OEM grips (DymondWood, whatever that is/was) cracked. He only had a box of Blazer .38Spl 158gr +P (good load, BTW). In his write-up, he reported that his hand stung so badly that he believed he was on the edge of nerve damage.

I see the 342 and 337 basically as "test beds" for the later 340 and 360 models.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[C.S.63]

Picked up a 342ti recently yes it’s a bear even with the lightest home brew wadcutter loads but it gets a lot of carry as it's just easy to grab and go
Definitely not for the faint of heart, until another pocket pistol is added this one is staying and being carried brings meaning to shot little carried a lot.

[MG34/bar]

Have had a 342 (no lock) since about 2002, and have shot it a good bit. Never had any trouble with the Titanium cylinder showing wear, as I clean it carefully. Last year (2018) after a range session I noticed while cleaning the gun that the barrel of the yoke (the portion that is in the center of the cylinder) had a circumference crack around it.
Sent it back to S&W (good service and fast turn around) and it came back repaired with a stainless steel yoke (same as the one in my 642) as a replacement for the original aluminum one. Don’t know if that was because S&W had problems with the original aluminum one, or if they only have the steel one due to the 342 being out of production. Never weighed the revolver prior to the repair, but it now weighs 13.3 ounces on my electric scale fully loaded with 125 gr. Jacked hollow points. I can’t really tell any difference in weight in my hand or in my pocket.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I actually sold mine. Keep in mind that I am 74, slightly weaker than in my youth. I am now even a little cautious about .44 Mag, which I used to regard as a medium-recoil cartridge.

I agree with your resolution on grips, and I further consider classic Model 36 Magnas as probably the best grips. For me, without a Tyler, so that my middle-finger knuckle does not get rapped. But recoil control includes max grip strength in use when firing, and my max may be slightly less than it once was. Wadcutters or light bullets may be best. You'll have to find out for yourself. At one time, I considered it OK, later I didn't.

At present, a 642 is my lightest gun. I also have a few Model 37 revolvers, but the SB (with Magnas and a Tyler) is in a whole nother class in shootabilty.

[681ismyfavorite]

I shoot my 642 with 158gr. +p loads regularly and do not consider it abusive. stout yes, abusive, no. I don't find the 342 to be abusive at all with 110gr. Hornady ftx rounds. I get the lightest J frame in a service caliber with some of the lightest ammo and move on without a second thought.

[reccpd101]

I am 68 with lower upper body strength due to chemo. I own a 342ti no lock and a 332ti no lock and several airweights. Both my 3--tis wear magna grips and a Tgrip adapter. The 342ti has been magnaported. I shoot it with target full wadcutters or critical defense low recoil. The 332ti I use 32 long Remington Performance Wheelgun. I have had no problems with either. I would NOT shoot +p in either ti. There is a world of difference in the recoil from either of the tis and my airweights. I like the tis for ankle carry.

[snowman.45]

Originally Posted by Old cop

I’ve owned the no-lock 340PD for several years and found it to be a great pocket carry. Shooting +P isn’t too bad but magnums are too harsh for quick & accurate follow up shots. I put S&W wood magnas w/a grip adapter for pocket carry.

I've carried the 340 M&P and the 340 PD with the titanium cylinder. I think there's a 2 to 3 oz. difference between the two. Both carry well in the pocket. I use Buffalo Bore 159+P LHP FBI load at @1000 fps. It's got a little buck to it and even more so in the PD, but it's doable. I have no trouble carrying either gun. I have no desire to fire magnums through them. I also use the CT 405 laser grips. In my opinion, they a great addition.

NOTE:
I need to make a correction; it was not the 340 PD I had, it was the 340 Sc. Don'tthink that really makes much of a difference, but in the interest of full disclosure......

[AJ]

As I read through this I have to laugh to myself. These revolvers are meant as defensive pieces, Not meant for target work or as an offensive piece unless that is all you have.

Grips are what the owner feels comfortable with. Some larger grips will work fine for most applications. If you are comfortable with the smaller grips so be it.

Use the ammunition recommended by the manufacturer. They do this for a a couple reasons. One is function, a nonfunctioning gun is no good. The other reason is safety, the manufacturer does not want you to get hurt using their product....this prevents lawsuits. Also I hate it when a gun blows up.

These guns are meant to be shot seldom and carried a lot. Hopefully, you never have to use it for real. Better to have it and not use it, then to need it and not have it.

Yes, I own a 342 Ti and have for years. I shot it to see where it hits the target up close and personal. I shoot it once a year to remember where that is and to put fresh ammo in it.

I am at the range shooting three days a week for three hours each day. Two days are with rifle and one day with handguns.

If you want to try and make a target piece then go ahead. Buy a padded shooting glove...........

[kaaskop49]

Don'tcha just love J-frame threads? All the J-hounds are out. Maybe we should have a J-frame forum...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[681ismyfavorite]

just thought I'd show my no longer locked J frame.

[1971mopar]

I agree with everything AJ said. Mine is carried a lot, shot occasionally. But its a joy to carry.

681ismyfavorite, your 342pd looks great! I told myself I didn't care about removing the lock on mine, but after seeing your photo, I might order a kit.