I found a 342ti no dash in near perfect shape (slight cyl ring) with the padded box in fair/decent shape, no manual. The only thread I found was a couple years old... I can buy it for $475... is that a good price? Thoughts or advice? I would most likely carry it. Thanks

You'll love it. Find a good pocket holster.

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"I also cook."

That's a good price.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

Strongly agree. Go back directly and buy it or put a deposit on it to get it off the shelf.

go for it, the only problem is you will be looking for another one; just in case, at least that is what happened to me with the 342 and 340.
Great Gun.

+++++++++++++on a great price. These darn things are really expensive. If I saw one on the forum for close to that, I'd probably hit the "I'll take it" button pretty fast.

Good price. Love my 342 AirLite Titanium. I didn't like the silver finish so mine was sent to S&W for their PD black finish. All she needs is a red ramp.

Great gun and that's a good price if that's all that's wrong with the finish. i paid that for a 342 ti that was really worn on the back strap. I had the gun refinished in black Diamond Kote and had the front sight replaced with a red red ramped model. Ad a a set of Crimson Trace grips and your good to go.

What did S&W charge you to refinish your 342Ti? What was the turn around time?

regards

Back in August of 2008, $134.00 for the PD black refinishing and return shipping - and you can see they also do the white lettering / detailing. I called the S&W performance center (800-331-0852) and spoke to Larry. Very helpful. The turnaround time wasn't bad, a couple weeks or more? Typical superior Smith & Wesson customer service. Here's the left hand side:

BUY IT!

If you don't love it, I will give your money back for it.

Bekeart

Thanks for all the feedback. I was in a pawn shop yesterday and spotted this 342ti, talked them down to $475 and only had $450 cash on me. They asked if I wanted to lay it away, it was near closing time and I said no, thinking I would be there when the doors open today. I did not know much about them, and your information was motivating all night... you can guess, someone after I left layed it away! This is a sleepy little shop in a depressed town, it had been on the shelf a couple months! Argh. I know, don't rub it in. Hey read my last post... I got it after all!

Ooops. There will be another...but that hurts a little.

Soory for your loss. Now I know I'm not the only one who has done that!

I bet we've all done it, some of us more than once. I've finally learned...I think. Unless the gun is a commodity or I've seen another used one relatively recently, unless the price is just crazy, I do my best to haggle it down and then put cash down on the countertop. A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled across an unfired, NIB Win 94 Trapper in .45 Colt with all papers, etc. Price was definitely on the high side, but I worked it down some and then paid up. It's been a long time since I saw one of those locally that I could look at and inspect before paying for the gun and shipping. If I paid a little "too much," it's already forgotten. If I'd passed to get a little better deal, I'd definitely still be kicking myself.

Another thing - I think that every time I've felt like I overpaid, prices have gone up over a relatively short period (12, 24 months or something like that) and I look back and figure I did the smart thing even though it didn't feel that way at the time.

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm rubbing salt in the wound. This is definitely a BTDT thing.

Thanks for the condolences... I called the pawn shop today to make sure it really was on lay a way, and they said they had another one in. I could not believe it, I just returned from buying it. Much to my surprise they honored my haggling from last week and I got it for $475 this one has even less of a cylinder ring! So I have a 342 sitting on my desk as I write.

Congrats, those are nice revolvers.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

you made out like bandit getting that no lock for $475, I've seen them sell on gunbrkr for up to $800.

Buy it now (IMO)! My father-law-bought a used one at a gun show a few months back, and he paid $525.00. If that's what you are looking for, I say snatch it up. Good luck.

Two 342Ti's at the same shop? What are the chances of that? I have a 342Ti, no lock, and you couldn't get it from me for anywhere near 475.Glad you got one.

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Sure you did

I know, I asked them where they are getting them. They said "old people" are selling them in this almost new condition. My guess is they fired them once and that was enough. Any carry tips? What is your preferred method?

Ya done good! I certainly would not sell the one in my boot at the moment, nor the one in a vest pocket in my closet, for such a price. Maybe not for twice the price...

Are there any bullet weight restrictions on the 342ti?

How much lighter is the 342ti over the 642?

thanks,
-Kyle

No bullet weight restrictions.
About 3 ozs. depending on grips.

No weight restrictions, but the factory advises to use only jacketed bullets. This is marked on the barrel shroud.

I Like mine and got a lower front sight to shoot the 125gr +p. The sight that comes on it is regulated for 158gr ammo. I sure like pinned sights.
I wonder if S&W makes the lower sight in a red ramp. Mine is painted florescent orange. The red ramp would be cool. Mine shoots dead on POA now at about 5-10 feet. You got yourself about the best carry J Frame ever made IMO although I'm partial to the 332Ti as well with 6 shots.

Stick with jacketed ammo and you'll be fine. Recoil with lead bullets (especially +P rounds) can cause the bullets to pull forward, thereby possibly locking up your gun on the last round. The jacketed bulltes are cleaner also. Use care in cleaning the cylinder and do not use a brass/bronze brush as it may cause damage.

Speaking of cleaning. How are you fellas cleaning your Ti cyl guns?
I have on occasion very judiciously used a lead away cloth on the front of my Ti cyl face to get some of the carbon off. I use the Dewey nylon bristles though now, although a few times I used the bronze brush and it didn't seem to do anything to it.

We're supposed to clean these too?

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

Well, maybe only if your masochistic enough to fire one enough so that the cyl. starts to get sluggish.

I ran my first 340PD to death and ran the second one until the yoke cracked. I haven't had a chance to shoot it since S&W repaired it. The 342Ti doesn't get used as much but has yet to be cleaned.
Some guns I just don't get very excited about cleaning.
I do however keep the ratchet/cylinder star and hand clean and lubricated.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

S&W says the bronze brush is fine.