I am in the market for a 442 or 342. I want a light pocket gun that will disappear and be easy to carry. I was looking at the 442, until I read the forum some and some posts reminded me of the 342.

Now, I know the 342 is a few ounces lighter, but is the 3-4 ounce difference worth the couple-hundred bucks difference in price? Looking in the classifieds here and on Gunbroker, 442s appear to be available for around 450-550 if you look. 342s start in the 600s and go up to near $1000 in some cases. You gotta be kidding me!! There is at least a 200-400 premium for a 342. Is the only difference the titanium cylinder? Does it REALLY carry that much better than the 442 to justify the cost?

I am on the fence about it because part of me wants the LIGHTEST .38 out there, period, but I dunno if the price point is worth it.

Thoughts?

I am in the market for a 442 or 342. I want a light pocket gun that will disappear and be easy to carry. I was looking at the 442, until I read the forum some and some posts reminded me of the 342.

Now, I know the 342 is a few ounces lighter, but is the 3-4 ounce difference worth the couple-hundred bucks difference in price? Looking in the classifieds here and on Gunbroker, 442s appear to be available for around 450-550 if you look. 342s start in the 600s and go up to near $1000 in some cases. You gotta be kidding me!! There is at least a 200-400 premium for a 342. Is the only difference the titanium cylinder? Does it REALLY carry that much better than the 442 to justify the cost?

I am on the fence about it because part of me wants the LIGHTEST .38 out there, period, but I dunno if the price point is worth it.

Thoughts?

I live in a climate where most of my CCW is pocket carry in shorts and sandals. The weight premium is worth it to me.

I own a 442, if money were no concern it would be a 342. A few ounces does make a difference.

Emory

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Hard To Kill

You can buy new 442s or 642s all day around here for $350. I pocket carry and would rather have two or three of those for the same money as one 342. And guess what, I have three 642s.

Bob

Without going down a well-worn road, I am looking for a pre-lock gun, so it limits my options, and also seems to drive up prices.

I refuse to own a lock gun, even if it's one I REALLY want, like the 500 Mag.

The lighter weight of the 342 prints less in pocket carry when wearing lightweight pants or shorts. The few ounce difference doesn't sound like much but after getting a 342 my 642 went into the safe and never was carried again.

Good luck in your quest.

Yes, please not that road! I find that it's so easy to disable that it is a non-issue with me. Others obviously don't agree and that's OK here. If I wanted a 500 like you do one would be sitting in my safe, sans IL of course(which would be in the box in case of the unlikely event of future sale).

And as others say, the 342 is certainly easier to carry. It's just that I'm one of those odd ducks that the cost/benefit ratio does not work for me compared to the 642.

Bob

I own both a 342 and 642-1 and the few ounces does make a difference. The extra money saved is not worth it if the revolver ends up sitting at home because it is too heavy or you just don't feel like lugging it around.

The 342 feels like a toy cap gun and always fits into your pocket. The 342 is easily worth the extra premium to me

I agree with Emory: If money is no concern, get a 342--you won't regret it. No revolver is easier to carry or more comfortable in a pocket than a 342.

But if a 442 is all you can find, or all you can fit into your budget, you'll still have one of the best carry guns available. My 442 no-dash is a better-built gun than my 342; it has a smoother action; the few extra ounces make it more comfortable to shoot; and it has none of the cleaning or jacketed-ammo restrictions of the 342. For anything except pocket carry, my 442 (or similar 642 no-dash) wins hands-down.

I used to think my 642 No Dash was the best carry revolver on the planet but after aquireing my 342 I haven't carried My 642 since.
There both great guns & as DC7 said the 642 shoots better & has a slicker action, All Forged parts & No MIM..
Whenever I leave Home I just slip the 342 in my pocket & out we go..
I found my 342 pre lock @ a Gunshow unfired New in the box a while back for $550, at the time I thought It was a deal & at the prices were seeing lately on them "IT WAS"..
I'll probobly carry my 642 this winter in a shoulder holster but for pocket carry the 342 Wins everytime..
Good Luck Finding The Airweight/Airlite Centennial of your Choice 1076shooter
Gary/Hk
M940 M342Ti M642

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

Well, depending on what "deals" I come across, a 500 might be in the future as a range toy, but the big limiting factor is not the lock, but price of ammo!

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think I'm gonna hold out for a 342. The whole point is a gun that weighs next to nothing that I would have no excuse not to carry. Shooting pleasure and such is not a big deal as it will be "carried often and shot little". My normal carry is a 1076 or Beretta 92FS, but they're pretty big and heavy after a full day and being that I live in Texas and Florida, most of the time the uniform is shorts and t-shirt, so something that is tiny and light is the number-one concern. Price is definitely secondary.

I would probably pick up whichever one comes up first at a good or reasonable price. If you look exclusively for the 342, you might wait a long time before you find one at a reasonable price, or you might overpay in your impatience. If you find a 442 at a very good price first, you will be able to be more patient waiting for a 342 that is still reasonably priced. And that 442 will always be able to serve as a stand-in if the 342 goes out of commission for any reason.

You might also consider a 337 and have the hammer bobbed. When I was looking, my gunsmith suggested it for slightly smaller profile and the cocking option. I went that way and had him bob the hammer and do a trigger job. Very light, compact and handy as well.

When the Scandium guns became available, I briefly thought about selling my 337 and getting one of them. I then thought that I probably would not carry or shoot .357's in one due to the blast, recoil etc. I stayed with the 337. I carry Gold Dot 135's in it and love it.

T

I own them all. I was handed a 642 in the 90's and thought this thing was light. I had to have it. Then I held a 340. WOW!!! It's no joke, you could put this thing in your pocket and forget it's there. Naturaly I had to buy it. All was fine until I start to hear about the lock going on in recoil. I just picked up a 342 pre-lock so there'd be no worries. On an ankle or in a pants pocket those 3-4 oz are felt. Every oz. you can shave makes for a gun that's carried every day.

Sold my 442 and bought a 340 Sc. I wanted a truly light revolver and it's a pleasure to carry it in my pocket all day. My 442 had serious accuracy problems, too, and shot way low and to the left for everyone who ever shot it. The 340 also affords me the opportunity to shoot .357 once I work the courage up!

The lighter weight does make a difference to me.

That's why I went with a (lock removed) 340PD.

Good luck.

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<><

There is one on gunbroker right now. 99% with box. $600 no reserve, no bids, 7 hours to go!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=103262370

Gregg

Yeah, been watching this one. Might put a bid in...

Thanks for the advice so far. I think I'll hold out for a 342, unless a smokin' deal comes along for a 442 or 642. I might bid for that one on GB, but I just bought a 629, so I might have to wait a minute...

I have a 442-2 with a laxermax, that I carry in a front or rear pocket in a Krammer pocket holster. I shot the lighter 342 before I made the deal. I personally liked a little more weight when I shot it, And shoot 'em you should do. I've heard it said carried often and shot little. True for sure. But you, and your wife, should shoot it from time to time to remind you whats going on.

Either one, it still is center of mass that counts.
PIMAN

[email protected]

It's a matter of personal preference. I recently owned two 642s and a 442 with a CT laser grip on whichever I chose to carry. A few months ago I happened on a LNIB 342PD which I started to carry. (All my x42s are pre-lock.) I liked carrying the 342 a little better than the Airweights. I definitely liked shooting the Airweights better.

When I discovered how much the 342s were selling for, I decided that I really didn't want to pocket-carry an $800+ revolver with a $200+ laser. I could picture my 342 sliding out of my pocket while I was mowing the lawn and getting eaten by the mower.

Since I liked shooting the 642/442 so much better, I felt I'd rather have the money than the 342. So I sold the 342 and I don't regret it, so far. If I find another pre-lock 342PD at a reasonable price, I'll buy it but I'll continue carrying the 642/442.

Hey PIMAN,

I would really appreciate hearing your impressions of the LaserMax J-Max. Do you have any experience with the Crimson Trace grips for comparison? I don't think too many Forum members have seen the J-Max grips yet. Maybe you could post your review in a new thread. Thanks.

I came back to this thread and while rereading it I busted out laughing. I'm sorry but "lugging it around" and leaving it home becasue it's too heavy and we're talking a 642? I certainly agree a 342 is easier to carry but a 642 is too heavy?

Bob