[22luvr]

That's the .38 spcl scandium J-frame, all black with the red hi-viz sights. Went online to their website and all I see is the 340PD which is the .357 mag version.

[Bob79]

No they don't make the 342 at all anymore. It was basically dropped when they released the .357 chambered J-frame Airlites. The .357's were only about 1 ounce heavier and now fired .357, guess they figured people could just load their 340's w/ .38 and so they just continued to make the 340's only.

I personally feel that in a gun this light a .357 is just too much horsepower (I have shot 2 cylinders full of .357 mag out of a 340), but some people like having the power of a .357 in such a light gun, so to each is own. :)

[JNewell]

Bob79 is right, but I still see some NOS 342s for sale.

[SteveS]

That is too bad. I have the 342 and it isn't all that comfortable shooting plain old .38, not to mention +p. Some people asked me why I didn't get the .357, since I could also shoot .38 out of it. I didn't see the point , since I wasn't planning on shooting .357 out of such a light gun.

[Gary A]

I don't have either so my comments are mere mind-play, but I once planned on getting a 342PD and was disappointed they dropped it. Since then I can see a couple of advantages to just buying the 340 and using .38s in it. The scandium frame is stronger than the alloy frame of the 342 which might come into play over time if one shoots plus P. (Probably not but, hey, the scandium frame is stronger.) Secondly, the 340 has that little "shield" above the cylinder gap which adds a measure of protection against flame cutting. Disadvantage is slightly more weight and more attention paid to cleaning if one plans on shooting .357s after a lot of .38s. They are darned pricey, though. Both are pretty slick little revolvers.

[22luvr]

A little heavier but costs less and has an enviable reputation as one of the all-time best pocket snubbies. :)

Looking for a replacement for my S&W mod 638 Bodyguard which I foolishly sold awhile back. :banghead:

[JNewell]

more attention paid to cleaning if one plans on shooting .357s after a lot of .38s.

Yeah, but be really careful about S&W's instructions about cleaning the cylinder bores -- nothing even mildly abrasive. Bronze brush is about the upper limit.

[Bob79]

There is actually one right now on Gunbroker. The "buy it now" price is $525 though, so I'm guessing the reserve isn't too much cheaper.

Just thought I'd mention it, price is kinda high though, as you can probably pick up a new 340PD for about $590-610 range.

Oh yeah, thought this was funny: the seller says that it was discontinued because of "the high cost of machining titanium" :scrutiny: Although this seller has good feedback, maybe he/she is just misinformed.

[Curare]

I have a 642 which weighs 14.2 ounces on my scale with the Hogue bantam grip. The 342 weighs 10.8 ounces, I believe, with the same grip. I actually don't mind the .38 +P recoil in the 642, and a few ounces saved on a pocket gun would be worthwhile.

My 642 is for sale right now and I'm thinking about a 342, or a 340 loaded with Speer's reduced power short barrel chambering in .357--I might be able to tolerate the recoil with that.

[mikey357]

...well, IF you look around, I believe you can find a dealer or two who still have the 342, NIB, in stock...around $500, NIB, IIRC....mikey357