AirLite Ti

[Cal44]

I'm interested in the Air Lite guns with Ti cylinders.

Figure they will be collectable at some point.

Will these appreciate over time and attract collectors?

Which of these are most collectable?

Dave

 

[Pilgrim]

Dunno which is the most collectible, but I have two, a 332 and a 331. The .32 mag round is a pussycat with a bite!

 

[TucsonMTB]

I dunno if they will be more collectable in the future, but they are difficult enough to find right now that I put together a counterfeit version for my own pleasure.

It is a great carry revolver, even at almost 12 ounces!

 

[625 Shooter]

I have no idea how to answer your questions.

But I do love my M332 .32 H&R Magnum.

 

[civil1977]

They are already climbing in price, especially the prelock guns. The 331 and 332 are hard to find and desirable being a six shot j frame, suitable for carry. The 337 is the lightest .38 special and the 342 is the lightest .38 special Centenial frame. I'm partial to the 342PD with its special, deep cut cylinder flutes and black finish.....best CCW for my money.

 

[Cal44]

I've posted this pic before, but so far this is the only one I have:

242 TI - Ahrends' grips

 

[kaaskop49]

I dunno if they will be more collectable in the future, but they are difficult enough to find right now that I put together a counterfeit version for my own pleasure.

It is a great carry revolver, even at almost 12 ounces!

Please tell me how you did this!

 

[kaaskop49]

I'm interested in the Air Lite guns with Ti cylinders.

Figure they will be collectable at some point.

Will these appreciate over time and attract collectors?

Which of these are most collectable?

Dave

Collectible? Dave, there was another recent thread on the 342 Airlite. Amazing how many LEOs, active and retired, are carrying one of these in their jacket pocket. Those as has 'em seem to be too busy using 'em to think about collecting. My guess is any available in the future will all be heavily used, if they even go on the market.

 

[murphydog]

The 296Ti (.44 Special) has become somewhat of a cult gun. Recoil is stout by report.

 

[steve4043]

Please tell me how you did this!

maybe cerakote, looks great!!

 

[TucsonMTB]

I dunno if they will be more collectable in the future, but they are difficult enough to find right now that I put together a counterfeit version for my own pleasure.

It is a great carry revolver, even at almost 12 ounces!

Please tell me how you did this!

Yes, sir! To S&W's credit, newer J frames seem to have amazingly consistent dimensions. Midway offers titanium S&W J frame cylinders as repair parts for about $140. The cylinders are complete with a new extractor ready to be fitted for perfect timing.

I am cheap (poor, actually). So, I started with an existing 638-3 when Midway had these cylinders on sale for $99.

Subsequently, I bought a second cylinder at the full $140 price for the 642-1 that I most often carry. Timing using the original extractor from that gun is perfect without any fitting. The original and replacement cylinders are exactly the same length. So, the cylinder gaps did not change and there is no end shake. Can you say, "Happy Camper!"?

Here's the original thread briefly describing the process and my pleasure at discovering them: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/336464-new-appreciation-you-professionals.html

Notice that my newest entry in that thread addresses a very valid concern raised by our own Mr. CAJUNLAWYER. Heed his concerns if you attempt this.

Both revolvers are a joy to carry and shoot.

 

[kaaskop49]

attn TucsonMTB

Before I'm out the door... Have you experienced that bullet/inertia/pullout problem that can plague AirLite guns. And it CAN happen in .38, despite the experts who say no. What .38 loads have you shot?

 

[TucsonMTB]

Before I'm out the door... Have you experienced that bullet/inertia/pullout problem that can plague AirLite guns. And it CAN happen in .38, despite the experts who say no. What .38 loads have you shot?

I have heard of that, so I pay some attention to the issue.

With the Federal ammunition pictured in my earlier post, there is no bullet movement at all. Nor is there any with the Federal Nyclad that I carry.

I have put both to the test by firing all but one round in a cylinder, checking for bullet movement, and then repeating that process a two or three times, leaving the same single round in the cylinder while firing the other four.

However, I have noticed some bullet movement with practice ammo. Nothing has moved out far enough to cause a problem, but some have moved far enough to notice.

After reading about this issue some time ago, probably here, I use an inertial bullet puller to pull a bullet from a round in the first box of any new brand/type of ammo. I was afraid I would break my bullet puller with those two Federal rounds.

Other practice rounds have disassembled pretty easily, after a few reasonable whacks on my garage floor. But, nothing has ever caused a malfunction at the range.

 

[Pilgrim]

Before I'm out the door... Have you experienced that bullet/inertia/pullout problem that can plague AirLite guns. And it CAN happen in .38, despite the experts who say no. What .38 loads have you shot?

I've had it with my 332, .32mag. Can't remember what brand of ammo tho.

 

[Bluelightning]

I recently located a S&W .38 + P and can't tell what exactly it is. It's stamped AirLite Ti. It looks like a 331, but it has a longer (maybe 4") barrel and an orange fiber optic front sight. Does anyone have some info on it?

 

[haywood]

I've posted this pic before, but so far this is the only one I have:

242 TI - Ahrends' grips

That's the one I would like.

 

[michpatriot]

Nice

That's the one I would like.

And no lock to boot! Yes I'll take two...

 

[JimCunn]

I like the light weight titanium cylinders enough that each of my three 637-2 Airweights has two extra titanium cylinders, one in .38Sp/.357 Mag, and one in 9mm Luger.

 

[Pizza Bob]

As murphydog pointed out - let's not forget the big brother of the Airlite family, the 296 Ti...

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[g-dad]

I have an factory fired 342. It's gonna stay that way too!

 

[Dogfish357]

I briefly had a 242ti but later sold it to a fellow forum member. Found it too wide to carry aiwb.

As for the smaller airlites; I own and often carry my 342ti. I think its the ideal gun for carry in hot and humid south Florida.

 

[NCBeagle]

Please tell me how you did this!

If you search, you can find my old thread about fitting a Titanium cylinder to a 442. That thread might be 10 years old now. Not sure. I'll look for it

EDIT: Here it is [PICS] Titanium cylinder on 442

 

[italiansport]

My Airlite:
Here's my example of a 331 which I've posted before. It doesn't seem like there's a lot of information about these judging by the responses I've received. I haven't even been able to get a fix on the number produced!
Jim

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well, I've got a 337 that I carry quite often-and it shows

 

[armorer951]

Installed one of the titanium cylinders on my 442. Very little fitting required after switching over the extractor. It still shoots around corners (canted barrel), but is a bit lighter when doing so.....about 13.4 oz.

 

[gnystrom]

I find the recoil on some of these light guns cause people who are recoil sensitive buy them and sell them quickly. The rest of us just use them for what they were intended.

https://i.postimg.cc/02NNDXsX/340pd.jpg

 

[Old cop]

Mine is a no-lock 340PD and it's loaded w/+P b/c that's what I can control, especially for follow up shots. When I first got it I tried five rounds of magnum and was done w/that. I'm not particularly recoil sensitive but combat accuracy is the first order of business for a self defense gun.

 

[1969 ROADRUNNER]

I though this was big brother

 

[ScandiaTitan]

My display from the NEOhio S&W collectors club... with guidance from Larry...

I collect these- some are already quite rare.

 

[CALREB]

Only 2 I have , 342pd nice to carry, bucks a bit,mostly sits in the safe, unless I have to dress up, then in an ankle rig, so I can take my coat off. the 351 c , 22mag is a hoot to shoot. Both no lock, 342 was under 200 when it came out, deal from the S/W rep, because the academy store sold about 60-70 2" guns a month to recruit classes. Don't remember the date around 1999/2000 .