[PICS] Titanium cylinder on 442

[f2]

Why doesnt S&W just make one of these?...

They do.

342 AirLite Ti factory refinished in PD black.

 

[WC145]

They do.

342 AirLite Ti factory refinished in PD black.

Correction, the did. The 342PD and Airlite Ti haven't been made in years.

 

[festus1]

I have an extra Ti .357 cyl from a 340 that I'd sell - send me a pm if interested.

 

[f2]

Correction, the did. The 342PD and Airlite Ti haven't been made in years.

I was just referring to any j-frame centennial with a ti cylinder. Personally, I'd like to see an alloy cylinder centennial j-frame.

Performance Center "one off", smith-wessonforum member GHEN.

 

[stevenisthug]

Thanks to this thread I bought a ti cylinder as well. It will be for my 342 M&P. Basically the same gun as the 442 but with a scandium frame instead of aluminum alloy (about 1.5 ounce lighter). Still has a steel barrel/cylinder. With the ti cylinder I'm shooting for under 12 ounces!!

 

[beaker]

The 342 also has a slightly different (lighter) barrel, too. However, you will miss the extra 3 ounces when you shoot hot loads, I promise. When I shoot hot loads in my 642, it's difficult, but with the 342, it's like someone is hitting the end of the barrel with a baseball bat. The little sucker tries to get away every shot and it hurts my hand after a few.

 

[spearcrow]

Thanks to the op for posting this great looking conversion. I might be trying this out myself soon. Even though my wife took my 442 away from me... still she might enjoy it being lighter, or even better...it might make it too light, increasing recoil to an uncomfortable level...I might even get it back from her

 

[stevenisthug]

The 342 also has a slightly different (lighter) barrel, too. However, you will miss the extra 3 ounces when you shoot hot loads, I promise. When I shoot hot loads in my 642, it's difficult, but with the 342, it's like someone is hitting the end of the barrel with a baseball bat. The little sucker tries to get away every shot and it hurts my hand after a few.

yeah your right.. im hoping that the cylinder will just drop in without problems, so if it does I can switch back to the steel cylinder if I plan on putting a significant amount of rounds through it and keeping the ti cylinder for concealed carry or on duty

 

[f2]

The 342 also has a slightly different (lighter) barrel, too. However, you will miss the extra 3 ounces when you shoot hot loads, I promise. When I shoot hot loads in my 642, it's difficult, but with the 342, it's like someone is hitting the end of the barrel with a baseball bat. The little sucker tries to get away every shot and it hurts my hand after a few.

What kind of grips do you use? I went for looks with my first j-frame grip purchased and got a beautiful set of black ebony secret service wood grips and they shot just as you described - baseball bat to the bbl. The uncle mike's were better, but the best have been hogue j-frame bantams. I could literaly shoot all day with them no worries.

 

[Josh M.]

My second cylinder came in yesterday. This cylinder fitted with little fuss, and didn't have the defect my first cylinder had. The gun with bantom stocks weighs in at 12.2oz unloaded, 14.2 oz loaded with 5 Rem 110gr +P's.

Once I've put a few rounds through it, this gun will be replacing my m38-0 as my BUG. My 38-0 weighs 14.2oz unloaded. That's right, my new 642 "Airlite Ti" loaded weighs the same as my old m38 Airweight unloaded!

I'm a happy camper. - JM.

 

[nj2656]

Ejector disassembly

I got my cylinder a few days ago. I can't get my apart. Any tips?

 

[Hondo44]

I got my cylinder a few days ago. I can't get my apart. Any tips?

Remember it's a backwards thread (left hand). Remove cylinder and yoke from the gun as an assembly.

Clamp the knurled ejector rod in a well padded vise (I like wood blocks lined with thick leather), but don't crush it, it's hollow.

Place three empty shell casings in three chambers and turn the cylinder by hand clockwise when looking at the primers.

 

[Dream to Dream]

Got to resurrect this thread. I have a model 642 that I want to put on a diet. Any sources for a .38 Ti cylinder? Numrich is sold out, and they are north of $100 anyplace else I have looked.

 

[Hondo44]

Just about any new S&W cylinder is going to be in the $100 range.

Your best bet is to do a search for a "parts kit" on Gunbroker. These are confiscated guns that have been destroyed by law enforcement. They usually include all the parts less the frame and can be won in the $30 to $70 range. And you can sell the remaining parts to recoup some of the cost.

 

[usmcchet9296]

re-resurecting this thread
can't find a 38sp titanium cylinder

 

[Eagle1*]

No where?? Also interested in this swap now as well

 

[WC145]

They've been sold out for years, like 940 cyls. Keep an eye out in the classifieds here and also on ebay and hopefully you'll run across one.

I think all of the old stock of Ti cyls has been pretty much depleted now. I ordered a Ti .41 mag cyl from Numrich's the other day for an M28 conversion project but that's the last caliber they had in stock.


And, since everybody else posted pics... This is my 360J convertible, the original steel cylinder has been rechambered to 9x23 and cut for moonclips so it'll shoot 9mm, .38ACP, .38 Super, 356TSW, 9mm Largo, etc., and it's had a Ti .38spl cyl fitted to it as well.

 

[NCBeagle]

Very nice conversion.

Also, glad to see my old thread popping up

 

[Espy0861]

I've been lurking this post...had to revive it. I was initially hesitant being that I'll be doing this on my every day back up revolver, but the thought of lightening my load out is too apealing to pass up. I'm plan on ordering a Ti cylinder once I find one...thanks for this post.

 

[michpatriot]

Hens teeth

The titanium 38 cylinders are no longer made..only .357. I've looked extensively and they seem to be extinct.