Post
by timmy » Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:05 am
The use of alloy in either a revolver or a pistol may have one or both of two reasons:
1. Depending on the alloy used, it may be cheaper to manufacture
2. Alloy is chosen for making significant components of the weapon to reduce weight.
This can be good or bad -- for instance, a number of rifle manufacturers will make magazines, floor plates, and trigger guards from alloy to reduce costs, especially if there is a complex design required. Weight savings can also be obtained by making the magazine out of alloy in certain circumstances. Ruger has long used alloy parts in their single action revolvers to save weight and cost. The grip frame/handguard assembly is alloy, as is the ejector rod housing. In the case of the Ruger, using alloy for these parts doesn't affect the durability of the gun, although there are some who do not like the finish. It is very difficult to make alloy match blued steel in appearance. Also, the finish of alloy parts may not be as durable as blued steel, or, when the finish is worn, it becomes apparent that the alloy part is not made of steel. Such an instance doesn't affect the durability of the gun, although some do not like the appearance of it. That is why there is a brisk aftermarket manufacture of blued steel ejector rod housings and blued steel and brass grip frames for Ruger single action revolvers.
Regarding strength and durability when alloy is used for major parts, the question might largely break down like this:
1. Alloy frames for revolvers.
2. Alloy frames for pistols.
In the first case, alloy revolver frames make the gun much lighter and can make the gun cheaper to manufacture. In the latter case, a quality alloy part is also expensive to make. A cheap, die-cast part is not strong. It will not only make the gun light, but it will make it cheap. A high quality alloy frame, such as used in Colt "Coltalloy" frame revolvers and S&W "Air Weight" revolvers is a quality part. The alloy still does not have the ultimate strength of its corresponding steel part, but it is strong. In these instances, the manufacturer usually recommends that only normal pressure .38 Special loads be used, or that only a limited number of .38 Special "+P" rounds can be fired, with "+P+" ammunition being strictly forbidden. In these cases, you MUST consult the user's manual for the firearm, which should be available for any arm of respectable quality. DO NOT GUESS about which ammunition you can use in these alloy framed revolvers!
In the second case, alloy framed pistols, the alloy frame is not quite as critical as far as strength is concerned as it is in the revolver. However, as with the revolver, alloy may be used in the frame to save weight, or to make manufacture cheaper, or both. And, as with the revolver, high strength alloy construction doesn't usually mean a reduction in cost. With a pistol, the slide is normally steel, as is the barrel, and these components are the parts which provide the locking strength in many designs. The frame serves more to keep these parts together in proper alignment. In this, one of the chief problems of durability has to do with where the slide moves in locating rails on the sides of the frame. Alloy generally isn't as durable as steel in this area, although a high quality alloy can offer good durability. What this means is that the pistol is strong, but that it may shoot loose over a period of heavy use. Die cast frames would almost always be of inferior durability and strength, as well.
Personally, I would avoid weapons of die cast construction, whether pistol or revolver. As far as pistols or revolvers of high quality alloy construction, this would depend on the gun's intended use. Ideally, one could use the lightweight alloy gun as a carry weapon, and do most practice with a more durable all-steel gun. This would keep the number of rounds fired through the alloy weapon to a minimum. Still, some alloy guns, like Smith & Wesson's 9mm pistols, are quite durable.
So with regard to the use of alloy, it makes a difference what alloy is being used (high strength vs. die cast), it makes a difference what the gun is used for, and it makes a difference what part is being made of alloy in any particular design. I suggest that you evaluate any alloy gun on these basis of what you want to use it for and what quality you are willing to accept.
Regarding your Basque pistol, if you have it for protection and if you are sure (because you've shot it enough to have such confidence) that it will go Bang! reliably every time you pull the trigger, then it would be reasonable to keep it, at least until you can get something else that you like better.
“Fanaticism consists of redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim.”
saying in the British Royal Navy
