S&W 342 Airlite? Value, etc?

KPK102084

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
What do you guys think about these little dudes? Nice guns? Too light? Would you recommend one? I found one NIB for $600 is it a buyer?
 
Register to hide this ad
It's a great carry gun because of the light weight and minimal maintenance requirements. They were made with and without the IL and it's not a bad price for a NIB pre-lock example.
 
I agree--$600 is a fair price for a NIB 342, provided it has no internal lock. If it has the lock, the price is probably a little high.

342's are a pain to shoot (literally!) but you'd have a hard time ever finding a nicer snub .38 for concealed carry.
 
Wouldn't it be sad to take a gun that old out of the NIB condition and use it???
 
I paid the same amount for a like new one back in October. It came with the CT grips, the original case and overwrap sleeve. Just last week my son managed to sell the CT grips for $125, so I'm now in the gun for $475, a price I feel is much more comfortable.

They make very nice carry guns. Not very nice shooters. Anyone who owns or fires one knows what I'm talking about. They're just painful, and as the velocity goes up, so too does the pain.
 
I paid the same amount for a like new one back in October. It came with the CT grips, the original case and overwrap sleeve. Just last week my son managed to sell the CT grips for $125, so I'm now in the gun for $475, a price I feel is much more comfortable.

They make very nice carry guns. Not very nice shooters. Anyone who owns or fires one knows what I'm talking about. They're just painful, and as the velocity goes up, so too does the pain.

I shot a steel challenge match for snubbies using one. :)
 
It is sad when someone must sell a 2" J, especially one of the super-lights. They might be more valuable than a tactical shotgun or semi-auto rifle: they can be carried unseen in a pocket.
 
The 342PD was the lightest Centenial frame ever made and second lightest J Frame to the 337. The 342PD was lighter than the regular 342 due to the deeper flutes on the titanium cylinder and lighter Hogue bantam grips.
 
I currently have a 342pd that I'd like to know the value of it. Any idea what a fair asking price would be? I'm the original owner, have the box and all papers. Its been fired probably less than 20 times.
 
Last edited:
When we compare the 342PD to the 342Ti, we need to keep the weight difference in perspective. The 342PD weighs 10.8 ounces, compared to the 342Ti at 11.3 ounces with Dymondwood grips and 12.0 ounces with Uncle Mike's rubber grips. So, we're talking about 0.5 ounces in one case and 1.2 ounces in the other case. ;) Most of the difference is the grips: Hogue Bantam vs. Dymondwood vs. Uncle Mike's rubber Bootgrips. You can put Bantam grips on a 342Ti and get essentially the same weight as the 342PD.
 
I picked up a used 342 TI under 400USD.

It has pocket ware, but that's where I carry it. It was not pretty. I had to cut off the grips, as the screw was rusted solid. It did clean up well..

Kicks like a mule, but doesn't drag my shorts down around my knees.

If you are looking at a safe queen, NIB is GTG, but if you want a working EDC, look at something used.
 

Attachments

  • pix535979037.jpg
    pix535979037.jpg
    57.4 KB · Views: 145
  • P1030593s.jpg
    P1030593s.jpg
    85.3 KB · Views: 140
Last edited:
I picked up a used 342 TI under 400USD.

It has pocket ware, but that's where I carry it. It was not pretty. I had to cut off the grips, as the screw was rusted solid. It did clean up well..

Kicks like a mule, but doesn't drag my shorts down around my knees.

If you are looking at a safe queen, NIB is GTG, but if you want a working EDC, look at something used.
fixed it for ya.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top