Posted: 2/21/2008 7:15:50 AM EDT
|
Lately I have taken a bit of interest in some of the handgun offerings in "scandium" which I may not be spelling correctly. It seems really light weight and due to the weight its very appealing as a carry gun option. But my question is, how strong is it? Is it durable enough to "stand the test of time" so to speak, or a high round count? I know there are both 1911s and wheel guns offered by S&W right now using this metal. Any input, or experience with it? |
Ive never delt with handguns in Scandium, but I have shattered many scandium lacrosse poles. The lightweight material I would assume be great for a cary gun because it is strong (relatively). It just happens to be no match for my Titanium lacrosse pole  Im sure someone will post up who knows more of the handgun side of the material. |
|
its pretty strong, and SW only uses a small amt in the aluminum alloy mix in thier frames (sc is VERY expensive) i dont remember too much about my metalurgy, but i think that SC is up there by titanium, but adds well to AL alloys h/w, are they durable enough to stand up for 1911s? imo, they are probably just as durable as any other frame for the weight; probably not as good as old school steel, but better than the regular AL frames (which have been shown to last pretty ok, but still have cracks develop after long uses) SC 1911 frames are LIGHT...and i mean LIGHT; stripped down to just the frame, and i say it was less than a few ozs... the main concern w/ SW 1911s is the plunger tubes--they arent staked on properly, but are pressed on and can come loose over use |
|
S&W does add a small amount to the aluminum alloy, but it supposedly increases it's strength quite a bit. I've read reports from gunsmiths that have worked on the Scandium framed 1911s. They've said it's much harder to cut than aluminum alloy. A few guys with the .45s report having shot 30,000+ rounds through their guns with no wear or breakage. I had the Scandium Commander-sized 1911, and liked it a lot. It was 10 oz. lighter than the same size gun in steel, but recoil was no worse to me. I'm not completely sold on the external extractor though. After arguing here on the Web that it should be fine, since S&W has been using them for decades, mine failed.    Anyway, I now have a Scandium J frame .357. I've read of a couple of owners who've shot 20,000 full house rounds through theirs with no signs of wear. So, yes, Scandium/aluminum alloy is stronger than aluminum alloy, and it's light. 
|
| I have a 340PD. It is not plesant to shoot with full power .357's, but that's not why I got it. There are a few reports of the J-frame Scandium revolvers breaking, but S&W sells thousands of these and other ultra lightweight Scandium handguns so I don't think it's unusual to have a few with problems. I wouldn't be any more worried with a lightweight S&W than I would with any other alloy handgun. |
I actually made a joke on another forum, and Dr. Snubnose swears he has no ill effects/pain from 40,000+ rounds through his 340PDs. (He's got 2  ) Wow! 
|