Smith & Wesson model 342 PD - Out Of The Box

Guns Magazine, May, 2004 by Glenn Barnes

What weighs a scant 12 ounces yet packs a punch similar to my mother-law's right hook when she found out that I eloped with her favorite daughter? Instead of playing the guessing game. I'll go ahead and tell you the answer. It is my second Smith & Wesson model 342 PD chambered in .38 Special. My first little 342 sort of got permanently kidnapped and held for ransom.

I have always been a big fan of pocket revolvers, especially those that wear the S&W trail brand, so when I heard the rumor they were crafting their racy looking Centennials from super lightweight, space age titanium, I knew I had to own one.

My local dealer phoned me when his initial batch arrived; I jumped in my truck, headed his way, and he kindly relieved me of my wife's new sofa money and then presented me with my first Titanium S&W revolver.

On the way home, I stopped off at my Dad's house to show him my new pocket rocket. He had been working in the yard and was wearing his customary bib overalls, complete with pockets large enough to conceal an "N" frame Smith, but today they held nothing, not even a small wrench or set of pliers. This should have triggered a warning to my feeble little mind, yet the emptiness remained unnoticed. That is until I banded Dad my new five-gun.

He hefted it in his palm a few times, smiled and said, "This is nice, thanks son," and then he slipped my diminutive Smith (not to mention my wife's new sofa), into his pocket, where it remains to this day; kidnapped and held for ransom. What would you do if your Dad laid claim to your favorite new shooter? I imagine you would do the same thing I did--nothing.

The next week, while my wire was relaxing on her new, more expensive than the first one she picked out, sofa, I sneaked out of the house and headed for the gun shop where I purchased my second S&W model 342 PD.

I'm convinced that the good folks in Springfield have somehow managed to locate the fabled "Genie in a bottle," and then sweet-talked her into granting them the most perfect deep-concealment revolver design ever conceived. How else can you explain the success these tiny blasters have achieved in such a short period of time?

It all began with an aluminum alloy frame, barrel shroud and yoke, which is clearly a remarkable feat of engineering skill, but knowledgeable shootists have been expecting something like this for years. But then, straight out of left field, S&W surprised us all by utilizing a material for the cylinder that sounded as if it originated from a Star Trek film--Titanium.

Titanium is, according to Charlie Perry's definition, which I unashamedly plagiarized from an article he penned because it was so darn good: "a strong, low-density, highly corrosion resistant, lustrous white metallic element ... used to alloy aircraft metals for low weight, strength and high temperature stability." S&W also found it to be a perfect material from which to build cylinders. It is super strong, lightweight, and very durable, not to mention tank tough.

My little 342 PD .38 Special weighs 12 ounces unloaded, sports Hogue contoured bout grips, a pinned front sight with an orange insert for low light visibility, a .312" smooth target trigger, and a squat barrel measuring only 1 7/8 inches. How does it shoot? I carried it to the range along with two boxes of factory ammunition, Speer's 125-grain Gold Dot HP P, and Black Hill's 125-grain JHP P loading, to find out.

From the bench at 25 yards, both loads averaged around 3 1/2 inches for several five shot groups. I feel confident that the revolver will turn in a better average, but not with me behind the trigger. The grips, while perfect for deep concealment, are not made for serious target shouting, nor are they designed for those with larger hands. At seven, 10, and 15 yards, the 'Smith 342 PD proved itself fully capable of exceptional accuracy, even with me steering the shuts downrange. By the end of the day it was decided I had found a new addition to the family, and a friend to help insure a good night's sleep. Smith & Wesson quality is always a sound choice for the discriminating shooter, and selecting the 342 PD is just plain old smart. Stay away from my Dad though; he kind of likes those little pocket blasters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Smith & Wesson

[800] 331-0852

www.smith-wesson.com