Scandium Alloy Revolvers?

[mdauben]

I've got a S&W 386NG, with a Scandium Alloy Frame and shoot it with full .357 magnum rounds all the time. I love shooting it and don't think the recoil is especially bad. Can't comment on the Alloy Frame .44 magnum, though.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Correct.

Here's an informative article for those who find metallurgy interesting.

http://aluminiuminsider.com/aluminium-scandium-alloys-future/

It takes very little Scandium to result in dramatic strength increases. One aluminum alloy tested was increased in strength by 1500% from the addition of only 0.4% Scandium.

Here's one example from the article.

Very little amount of scandium is needed to improve aluminium alloys properties, less than 1wt% (weight percent). For instance, alloying scandium with aluminium-magnesium alloy increases its yield strength by up to 150% while preserving density and resistance to corrosion. In addition, scandium increases the quality of the alloy’s welded joints, avoiding cracking at welds and increasing fatigue life by up to 200%.
​

That strength increase was from adding a quarter of one percent (0.25%) scandium to the alloy.

The 1500% number is true, but misleading. The comparison was to pure aluminum which is very soft and weak. The improvement over other high performance aluminum alloys with the addition of scandium is real but much more modest. That strength shown as a 1500% improvement is routinely obtained more cheaply with more common alloying elements.

 

[A526051]

I have both the 340 and the 360. Shot the 360 enough to shake the cylinder loose from the crane, with the action open the cylinder would slide back and forth. Sent it back to S&W, they repaired it no problems since then.

 

[tbob38]

I must be getting old, or the arthritis in my hands has ruined me more than I want to admit. 158g Magnums hurt like (expletive deleted) in the 386 NG I have. Even Buffalo Bore Heavy +P 158g SWCHP-GC rounds jump around more than I like.

Take my word for it and don't get old if you can avoid it! (smile)

Dave

I'll remember that when I start to get old, being only 79 now.

 

[tbob38]

Correct.

Here's an informative article for those who find metallurgy interesting.

http://aluminiuminsider.com/aluminium-scandium-alloys-future/

It takes very little Scandium to result in dramatic strength increases. One aluminum alloy tested was increased in strength by 1500% from the addition of only 0.4% Scandium.

Here's one example from the article.

Very little amount of scandium is needed to improve aluminium alloys properties, less than 1wt% (weight percent). For instance, alloying scandium with aluminium-magnesium alloy increases its yield strength by up to 150% while preserving density and resistance to corrosion. In addition, scandium increases the quality of the alloy’s welded joints, avoiding cracking at welds and increasing fatigue life by up to 200%.
​

That strength increase was from adding a quarter of one percent (0.25%) scandium to the alloy.

I wonder just what these strength levels are. Exact figures seem hard to get. I wrote my college thesis on high strength aluminum alloys, before the era of the scandium alloys. One of my alloys is essentially the aircraft alloy 7050.

 

[JohnKSa]

There's a table in the article that depicts yield strength in MPa for alloys with and without Sc added.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If I wanted a light weight 44 mag I'd sooner consider the M69, even though I don't like the two piece barrel. Yes, you'd be giving up a round but the M69 weighs 37 ounces, and the 329 weighs 27. Unless you load your own and plan on shooting really light 44 mag loads.

JMO

 

[tbob38]

There's a table in the article that depicts yield strength in MPa for alloys with and without Sc added.

Hmm, looks like 6%, in that article, over the alloys I developed. At what expense, I wonder. Would still like to see the actual data.

 

[CraigC]

Like I said, marketing. "Scandium" sounds exotic. "Aluminum" doesn't, it's what your beer cans are made of.

 

[tbob38]

Like I said, marketing. "Scandium" sounds exotic. "Aluminum" doesn't, it's what your beer cans are made of.

Pretty much, I expect.

 

[Mizar]

Pardon me, Mr. Craig, but my beer "cans" are made of glass and they are called "bottles"... Scandium does change significantly Aluminum alloys mechanical properties, so I believe that the name they choose was at least partially justified. But I see your point - it's irritating to say at least.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have a 327 Night Guard and I love the gun. Sure, it has a kick. I didn't buy it to look at it. Would I pull the trigger on a full house .44 Magnum in a Scandium frame? Probably not unless I really had to.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Hmm, looks like 6%, in that article, over the alloys I developed. At what expense, I wonder. Would still like to see the actual data.

That’s why scandium-aluminum alloys don’t compete well. In bicycles they have all but disappeared. Lots of hype, but very little real value.

 

[megatronrules]

I have a 340PD no lock model. I use it as my EDC on most days,due to its light especially in the Florida summers.

I love it due to it size/weight combination. Also it's corrosion resistance and low maintenance.
To sum it up? It's a dream to carry and a nightmare to shoot. Well honestly it's not anything you can't manage. I practice with 38's and dry fire with snap caps to work on trigger control. I do shoot and carry 357 magnum ammo in this gun.

That said it's speer gold dot 135gr short barrel 357 JHP's. I also practice with and carry Remington Golden Saber 125gr 357's also. Both are a "midrange" magnum load with the golden sabers being a little hotter than the gold dots.

In these lightweight guns practice is key. I think it's possible to wear anything out. However as others have said. I think your hand and wallet would give out buying and shooting ammo before the gun would.

If you buy a 340PD or M&P340 go with a no lock model. I have the factory boot grips on it,and while I'm not recoil sensitive I will say three cylinders of the above mentioned 357's and I'm done shooting it. Having said all that. I don't think there's a better gun for deep concealment or its weight/power ratio. Their great for what they are putting a small powerful gun where you need it most,on you when you need it.

Enclosing due heed the warning on ammo restrictions and cleaning of the titanium cylinder they will be damaged by errosion on the cylinder face if you don't. Good luck on what you decide.

 

[ClemY]

I have a couple of Scandium revos in .357 and .22, the 340 and 317. I also have a 640, so if I can ever get a CCW in May Issue MD, I can practice with the 640 and carry the 340. I waited for the .357 versions, not because I wanted to carry .357, but because it provides an additional margin of strength and hopefully endurance over the .38.

The 317 is the 3”. I have replaced the sights with a serrated ramp front/square notch rear. Much better for me. It originally had a non-uniform barrel/cylinder gap and the gas jet produced ablated the face of the aluminum cylinder. They finally replaced the barrel and cylinder. The cylinder is steel from the 63. It adds a couple of oz. to the overall weight, which I like. It is also very accurate and I have cleaned up the trigger.

 

[DesertVet]

 

[bikemutt]

I like the scandium Airweights' in .38 special, have two of the pre-lock ones which I rotate for dog-walking duty. I tried both the ,44 mag and .357 mag variants and found that I could not manage them well enough to instill confidence. I guess I'd be OK with the 329 PD if a bear was about to have me for lunch, otherwise it's a bear to shoot