S&W Ti 242

[sox]

I did a search and not much popped up. Gimme your opinions please. Eventhough lightweight, is the recoil more manegable/less obvious with the larger frame and grip? These seem to be pretty slow movers in the gunstores and retail pretty reasonably. Finally, are they L frame or N frames. Thanks

 

[KEN CHAVEZ]

Sox I think you mean is S&W-342Ti

The 342Ti is a great AirLite at 12oz. and with it only being .38spl the recoil realy is not to bad. I have bought three Titanium S&W's, and love them, give one a try you will love them to, trust me.

 

[Dr. Charles Lee Ray]

I'm also on my 3rd Ti/Sc model, which are J-frames, by the way. The 386SC/396Ti designate the L-framed model numbers. Both myself and my wife own 342PD(.38+P) models, but I recently started carrying the 340PD(.357) version.

I don't know why the PD(black) models are lighter than the silver/grey ones, but my 342PDs are listed at 10.8oz, with the magnum version weighing an even 12oz.

Both of us consider them the ultimate concealed-carry weapon, and between the two of us, have tried everything out there(or so it seems). I think they're a pussycat with .38 & .38P+ loads, as with my steel-framed Model 60s, but the .357mag loads are a real pain.

I have my carry rounds specially loaded to .38+P++ pressures by an area outfit(legal issues). They are bottom-end .357 data, but greater than .38Spec+P+. It's actually just 5.8gr of Win231 pushing a 158gr Speer Gold Dot(JHP) from magnum-length cases. Very accurate and easily controlable. Although my tests have only been done on water-filled milk jugs, 5-of-5 showed very good expansion.

I hope you find the information you seek. I think the reduced weight of the new Airlights is well worth the extra cost, since carry consists of 99% of the firearm's employment. If they built a 5oz. J-frame in .38/.357, I'd own one of them also.

What do ya' think, a polymer version with stainless-steel barrel & chamber liners? I bet it's not too far off.

 

[sox]

Ken, I was asking about the 242's. I had a 342PD when they first came out. Not bad- you gotta be kidding. I am 6'1" 200lbs. I enjoyed it so much I got rid of the thing. Also had a Taurus 85UL UC ported. Now it only weighed 13.5 oz., but the trigger was much better, accurate and recoil was more manageable. I am asking about the 242, because it is light, yet the larger frame might help attenuate recoil somewhat. I've since switched to the SP 101 and think it is sweet, although heavy for daily carry. I think the standard airweights are about the right trade off for power and comfort.