model 12-2 airweight vs 242Ti ?

[guskody]

having been eyeballing 242Ti's for a while now, but recently found a 4" barrel model 12 airweight at a LGS in nice condition.

model 12's seem to have a small but very loyal following from what I can see on the forum.

other than the obvious 6 round vs 7 round capacity, any opinions on the two?

am wondering if I could be just as happy with a nice model 12 for the price difference?

 

[BobR1]

My 2 Cents.

The 12-2 is an older model version of the M12 with a narrow frame. It will not use standard K Frame Grips.
It is Not +P Rated, and it is a 4" which also is not the best choice for concealed carry. The 4" is also less desirable than a 2".

The 242 Ti is an Airweight L Frame Snub. It is +P rated.
It is a hair bigger than a model 12. It is a neat design, and pretty much state of the art for a Shootable 38 concealed carry revolver.

I would go with the 242 if you can afford it.

I have both a 315NG which is a K Frame) and A 310NG which is an N Frame. I have no problem at all conceal carrying either. Your 242 Ti Seven Shooter L Frame will be smack in the middle size wise betwen my Night Guards. It should carry fine in a good pancake holster.

Down the road collectors value should always be higher on the 242 Ti.

Bob

 

[Florida J Frame]

Bob,
Just curious. How did you determine that the 2" is more desirable? The 4" round butt seems to be the hardest to find and at least in my area commands a higher price.

 

[mc5aw]

Are you looking to carry or collect? I searched for two years to find a NIB 242 for CCW purposes, and I found one here on the Forum a while back. It is an outstanding CCW revolver.

Anything with a 4" barrel is tough to carry, if that's your intention. The 12 is a nice revolver, and I'd choose to target shoot or pad my S&W collection of older pre-lock models.

 

[Engine49guy]

I live in a hot climate where shorts and a T shirt are the norm so prefer a snub length barrel for CCW but the 4" Model 12 usually brings a premium over the snub version in high condition because less are out there .
On the other hand the 4" IMO is less desirable in shooter grade condition as airweights are better suited for CCW.

Unless having a 6th round is more important to you than easy of concealment the smaller J frame airweight models are considerably smaller than the K frame Airweights so my preference is the J frame Airweight over the K Airweight for that purpose.

While it is true the 12-3 and older K grips do not fit the steel models the steel K frame grips can be thinned to fit the airweights.

While one of our members torture tested a Model 12 a few years back with thousands of .38 +P rounds IMO for extensive shooting I would choose a steel or SS frame gun over an airweight for added durability .

 

[kaaskop49]

This is a toughie! Some very savvy folks ahead of me and nobody is really wrong. I would disagree in one tiny area: a 4" 12 can be concealed IWB behind the hip without too much difficulty. It's a pencil barrel, very lightweight.

The 242 (hadda look it up to see what it is or was) was produced for only a short while. I don't understand the larger L frame in a lightweight snub gun. This larger frame would seem to be harder to conceal than the K-frame, and more uncomfortable, even though it is lightweight. But, for every Jack, there's a Jill and some of us prefer the 242. To me, it's neither fish nor fowl.

With these 2 inferior (to me) options, I would reluctantly go with the 12.

 

[mc5aw]

The 242 (hadda look it up to see what it is or was) was produced for only a short while. I don't understand the larger L frame in a lightweight snub gun. This larger frame would seem to be harder to conceal than the K-frame, and more uncomfortable, even though it is lightweight.

My 242 rides in a Lobo horsehide prototype OWB rig, and feels virtually weightless and invisible. I have often forgot it's on my belt ... as much as any J-frame ... that's how well it carries and conceals. As with all the Airlite models, it is subject to finish durability, but that's not a concern for me as my 242 is a worker not a looker.

 

[guskody]

model 12-2 airweight vs 242Ti

thanks for the insight.

To answer some questions, a 640 either IWB or pocket, backed up by a 642 in the left front pocket is my preferred CC method.

On occasion, a 3" 66 or 686 plus, carried OWB, replaces the 640.

I like the J frames from a comfort and convenience standpoint but I shoot the K and L frames a bit better.

I was eyeballing the 242 to replace the 66 and 686 only to reduce weight, thinking I would be more inclined to carry it more often than the steel guns.

Not too hung up on the 6 or 7 capacity difference between the 242 and 12 since I will always have the 642 as a back up.

Whatever I choose would definitely be a tool, not a collector.