Posted: 5/21/2011 2:12:54 AM EDT
| Does anybody have a quick and dirty resource detailing the different material (metals) options used in a 1911 and the why fors? I am new to the gun and the topic of materials/metals in guns in general. Eg I know aluminum is used in some cases, stainless steel in others, etc, not sure what other metals are used. |
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Quoted:
Does anybody have a quick and dirty resource detailing the different material (metals) options used in a 1911 and the why fors? I am new to the gun and the topic of materials/metals in guns in general. Eg I know aluminum is used in some cases, stainless steel in others, etc, not sure what other metals are used. Aluminum is used to lighten the gun. A few less ounces you can feel after having it on your belt all day. Stainless is for rust protection and pure cosmetics. IMHO if you live somewhere humid stainless isn't a bad idea. I'm sure there's more, and even some cosmetics like dimascus metal Sometimes it's more the way it's machined that's more important than type of metal. |
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Aluminum is used in frames for light weight. The trade off is shorter frame life - maybe 20,000 rounds.
Stainless steel is used in frames and slides for corrosion resistance and looks. The really early SS 1911s (AMT hardballer, etc) were fairly soft and prone to galling and Randall came out with one of the first really useable SS 1911s. But once companies figured out how to properly machine and harden SS parts in a 1911 it stopped being a problem. Carbon steel remains popular for both slides and frames as it is both low cost and very durable. It's common to see blued frames and SS slides but I have never seen the practical side of that. In the past it was very common to have a stainless steel frame with a blued slide with a matte finished top on the slide. It gave a nice two tone look with a dark and non glare sighting plane and all the parts that see finish wear from contact with your hand were Stainless. Apparently however people like a blued frame with stainless slide better. Polymer frames are probably an option and are light weight, but also thicker, compromising one of the attributes of a 1911. I had a friend with a case hardened frame on a custom 1911. It was actually very pretty. |
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Thanks guys.
So far we have aluminum, for low weight, stainless for rust resistance, and carbon steel for general purpose. Any cost issues here? Any say tolerance issues? Are some metals capable for better tolerances? I guess a better question is are their other qc issues that maybe effect accuracy vs. strength vs. does the gun jam or break, stuff like that. It seems like there is no optimal setup because people choose different materials for different models, etc. I'm sort of feeling around in the dark on this one. Maybe another question is what are the limitations of any metal, eg why are guns not all made of stainless steel. |
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The steel used in the earliest M1911s was softer than today's. Metallurgy has greatly improved over the last century. As mentioned, aluminum is used to make lightweight frames. Titanium frames have also been made, mid-way in weight between steel and aluminum. Mainspring housings have been made of steel, aluminum and polymer.
There was even a die-cast frame prototype built in the 1930s. It didn't go into production. The so-called carbon steels are the best, in everything except corrosion resistance. There, stainless steel is superior. I am talking performance, not cosmetics. Steel and aluminum parts can even be plated/coated/treated with other metals. Nickel, electroless nickel, and hard chrome are all popular. Carbon steel can be parkerized, and painted for cosmetic purposes, and to enhance corrosion resistance. Aftermarket titanium firing pins and struts are available. I am not sure if hammers are still or not, but at one time they too were available. Pewter and aluminum grip panels are available also. |
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Quoted: All metals can be machined to the same tolerances. Some metals will hold those tolerances longer than others. A carbon steel knife properly heat treated can be honed to a fine razor edge. So can a plastic knife. However, after a very short service life, the plastic knife will be dull beyond further use while the carbon knife will serve for years. If you only need the knife for a short perod of time, say for the duration of an afternoon pic nic, then the short service life is of no importance and the cost savings compared to the carbon knife is immense. If you need the knife to serve for years, say in a restaurant kitchen, then long life is far more important than the initial cost savings of using plastic.Thanks guys. So far we have aluminum, for low weight, stainless for rust resistance, and carbon steel for general purpose. Any cost issues here? Any say tolerance issues? Are some metals capable for better tolerances? I guess a better question is are their other qc issues that maybe effect accuracy vs. strength vs. does the gun jam or break, stuff like that. It seems like there is no optimal setup because people choose different materials for different models, etc. I'm sort of feeling around in the dark on this one. Maybe another question is what are the limitations of any metal, eg why are guns not all made of stainless steel. You are correct that there isn't an "optimum" set up. Different needs and circumstances must be met with different materials and designs. Carbon Steel Longest service life. Lowest cost. Lowest corrosion resistance. Stainless Steel. Moderate service life. Highest cost. High corrosion resistance, but not corrosion proof. Aluminum. Shortest service life. Moderate cost. Highest corrosion resistance. Lightest weight Corrosion resistance with any of these metals can be negated with regular maintainance. It is only in extreme circumstances that corrosion cannot be kept in check with minimal effort. |