342 Airlite Ti

[Dump1567]

I found this at a local shop last week but couldn't pick it up until today. It's got a few blems here and there, but the timing is on, and the action is smooth. CDU prefix and no internal lock, so I believe this dates to 1999?

I guess these were the lightest .38 Special J frames ever made? And it's +P rated.

It was the gun only, as shown. No box or paperwork. And I don't think the grips are original. It does have the lanyard pin in the back of the frame, so at least I don't have to contact S&W for one.

Oh, and the price? $419.
About $10-$40 more than all the other Alloy J's they had in the case with it. But I knew this was something special. Now to go disassemble and clean it.

 

[s&wchad]

That was an excellent price. I've carried mine for over 20 years and love it!

You can scrub the bore with a bronze brush, but don't use anything abrasive on the cylinder. I recommend using nylon brush and CLP.

 

[CH4]

Looks to have Badger grips too - $100
I'd give $419 for it. The only problem I've seen with that model is the clear coat peeling off. I have the 342PD version, which is the same weight or a little lighter, but not by much. Actually, carrying it as I sit here and type.

 

[WCCPHD]

I've had one for 20 years and I would have bought another one at that price.

 

[AJ]

Had one carried it quite a lot, did not shoot it but about once a year. Arthritis in my hands made it very panful to shoot. Sold mine with the padded case and all paperwork, with an set of hogue grips extra for $650 over a year ago.

 

[Dump1567]

Looks to have Badger grips too - $100

Weird. When I went to pick it up today, I couldn't remember if it had the factory wood grips or not. When I saw it, I immediately thought Badger grips. I have no idea where I got that from, as I have never owned Badger grips for any of my S&W's (that I can recall).

I must have been spiritually channeling this forum.

Or have been on this site so long, I subconsciously know what Badger grips are without ever owning a pair?

 

[FredBart]

I think that you got a great deal on one of the most interesting snubnose S+W revolvers ever. Titanium may show discoloration but it is very strong. Scandium is added to aluminum at about 5% content. Russia is the chief supplier of pure scandium and a major producer of titanium.
These were expensive firearms to produce, especially in limited quantities at almost twice the selling price of an aluminum 442.
Great firearm. Good luck with it.

 

[Dump1567]

All ready for carry (after test firing of course).

added a 13 lb. rebound & 8 lb. hammer spring which really lightened & smoothed out the action. And some Eagle grips and orange paint to the front strap. Perfect pocket carry gun.

 

[MG34/bar]

Bought mine in 2000 (CFC a prefix) and S&WChad’s advice on cleaning is good to follow. This revolver is absolutely to best there is for ankle carry; so light that I forget that it’s there.

 

[Jeppo]

I think that you got a great deal on one of the most interesting snubnose S+W revolvers ever. Titanium may show discoloration but it is very strong. Scandium is added to aluminum at about 5% content. Russia is the chief supplier of pure scandium and a major producer of titanium.
These were expensive firearms to produce, especially in limited quantities at almost twice the selling price of an aluminum 442.
Great firearm. Good luck with it.

According to S&W’s patent, the ideal amount of Scandium would be 0.1%.

Unified Patents - Analytics Portal

 

[Mikey1871]

Great to carry, not so much to shoot. Love the gun.
The 342 Ti was the original in the silver/grey finish, as is yours.
I wore it for a decade as my ankle gun, my boots were heavier.
I had no peeling issue and it has surprisingly little finish wear for thousands of days on my ankle in the Arizona dust and heat.
With the Bantam rubber boot grips on it, the gun weighed 10.5 ounces.

 

[orangehole]

This is what I carry 95% of the time. Just slips so easily into your pocket for those short runs to the store. I keep it loaded with the discontinued Federal HST 130gr 38special round

 

[glenncal1]

My EDC is a 332ti, perfect pocket gun.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Also my pocket carry edc but I prefer these Ergo grips. While they look weird they feel super. I wore the clearcoat off and had it painted.