Scandium Alloy Revolvers?

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G11354

G11354

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What are your opinions of scandium alloy revolvers? How well do they compare to steel revolvers regarding durability?

Thinking of purchasing a S&W 329 PD.
 
I have had several, and have yet to wear one out. You would be more likely to wear out your elbow before wearing out the gun.

They are great to carry; much less pleasant to shoot unless you go to specials rather than magnums. And even then, they can be a handful.

I recently traded a scandium 329 for a stainless 629 Performance Center snubby. Even though I shoot only 44 specials now, the added weight makes the experience more pleasant.

But so as not to discourage you too much, if I stumbled across a 327 8-shot Performance Center 357/38 snubby at a decent price, I would be hard-pressed to pass it up.

BOARHUNTER
 
Appreciate the feedback! Ive been considering trading my S&W X frames for something else and the 329 has my attention at the moment.
 
G11354 said:
What are your opinions of scandium alloy revolvers? How well do they compare to steel revolvers regarding durability?

Thinking of purchasing a S&W 329 PD.
Click to expand...


Don't, unless you reload. Here's my 329: DSCF0029_zpse2131a61.jpg

I hardly ever shoot it because I don't reload and ammo is expensive. It's a great concept and better than being bitten by a bear but my Trail Boss is MUCH better to shoot and your generic .44 Mag ammo is much cheaper than buying low-recoil ammo. If you're thinking of .44 special, I have a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 spl. that's just as light, reliable and great to shoot beside being MUCH cheaper.
 
I looked at a 329 and bought a Classic Bulldog. At 3" and 19 oz it is easy to carry and effective on deer inside 40 yards. It does have recoil and you do not want to do a day at the range with only that gun but you can shoot a light weight gun with practice. The 329 will last you a lifetime, I just could not afford one.
 
See photo, post 17, of blast shield. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/flame-cutting-powders.774069/

index.php
 
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My BIL no longer uses his, after experiencing the unbelievable recoil. And that's in spite of him doing his own reloading.
 
In case you are not aware, the metal we commonly call scandium when used in various consumer articles is actually an aluminum alloy with maybe a couple % scandium in it. It is a bit stronger than some other common aluminum alloys and much lighter than steel, but it is still just that, aluminum. If that is what you want, go for it.
 
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I consider the S&W 329 to have the most severe recoil I have ever encountered. Of course, people do perceive recoil differently, and the grips and shooting glove can make a significant difference, but with magnum loads, these guns are tough to shoot. For me, it hit my hands much harder than a 500 S&W or 357 rounds in a scandium J-frame.

Note the shooting glove I mentioned above, you will want one. I still like the 329, and it has its uses, but I can't picture shooting one enough to wear it out.
 
I've got a little 38 S&W scandium, very light, I had to get a bigger grip to hold on to it, with hot loads it has more felt recoil than my 357 Supermag Dan Wesson, but the Dan weighs much more than the Smith. It's great to carry concealed, very light and dependable, but my range times are usually 50 or so rounds as opposed to my 45's which get 2 to 3 hundred rounds through them at the range, even my 9mm's get hundreds of rounds without developing flinches or sore hand, now the 357 Supermag with the 6" barrel is also a low bullet count shooter, I can shoot more through the scoped 8" barrel or the 10" barrel, the extra weight makes shooting much more fun.
 
The only Scandium revolver I've shot is a J frame. If course it's so light thereof recoil is greater than a heavier gun but not all that bad.

Some posts are telling you the recoil is unmanageable but felt recoil is subjective. I seem to be less sensitive to refill than some others. I feel it's in your mind and can be dealt with.
 
I can shoot a couple dozen light 45 ACP reloads in a range session without a problem in my 325 PD. Full strength 45 ACP are kind of harsh and I usually limit it to 1 cylinder full. Full strength 45 ACP is on par with full strength .44 Special loads.

I'd have no desire to shoot a .44 Magnum in a 329 PD.
 
Nice thing is, the used ones you see are generally low round count. I like mine, especially when I get to watch someone else shoot it. I don’t think I’ve ever shot more than 18 rounds in one session.
 
I like my 325PD, though I did put a Hogue Monogrip on it to make it manageable. I don't think I'd want to shoot an Airlight J-Frame. Got rid of my slightly heavier 642 and 438 because shooting them was a bit much.
 
rpenmanparker said:
In case you are not aware, the metal we commonly call scandium when used in various consumer articles is actually an aluminum alloy with maybe a couple % scandium in it. It is a bit stronger than some other common aluminum alloys and much lighter than steel, but it is still just that, aluminum. If that is what you want, go for it.
Click to expand...

You beat me to it. That's exactly right. Scandium sounds so much more exotic. While they are a pleasure to carry, you can wear them out. I never found the recoil objectionable even with pretty stout loads, but personally I would opt for steel. JMHO.
 
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