Scandium-framed firearms?

pyton357ru

pyton357ru

Joined
Aug 26, 2002
Messages
362
I've read about this S&W feature a few years ago.
Yet I never managed to find another company which makes them and wondered "why?"
How to they compare to steel ones in terms of strength and durability?
(Asked for mere academical purposes)
Thanks Beforehand!
 
First let me do away with the advertizing hype. It isn't made of scandium, that would be extremely expensive as scandium is a 'rare earth element'. It is an aluminum alloy with about 1/2 % scandium. The scandium does improve strength etc.So the' scandium ' frame is just aluminum and it's not as rugged as steel.
 
It is however, extremely light. I have yet to fire one but they feel fantastic in your hand. I would think they have more recoil than a regular handgun though.
 
I thought scandium was for bicycles....

I remember shooting an alloy-framed Chief's Special with stout loads once, quite nasty. (stock grips) No doubt a set of Pachmayrs or something similar would help.
 
Hi All-

Those scandium revolvers are incredibly lightweight, but having punishing recoil and reduced durability. The only guess I have on their marketing demographic is someone who absolutely needs to carry a full-power firearm but very rarely fires it. They would be perfect for backcountry hikers and campers....

It would give a bear pause and would similarly do a fantastic job on some of the dirtbags you encounter hiking in places like the Appalachian Trail. The weight of the revolver is so negligible it wouldn't even be noticed until when it was needed.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Blue Jays is absolutely right.

I have the 340 PD (357 mag). It's very light. I usually keep it loaded with nyclad 38s.

The recoil with hot 357 loads is punishing. It hurts deep in the bones of the hand. I have experience with 44 mag, 454 casul, etc fired out of normal weight revolvers. The recoil of those does not bother me.

I do have some hot 357s topped off with hard cast bullets for the trail. I run the risk of locking up the action after the first couple of shots though, as the recoil is enough to back the bullets out of their cases and interfere with the rotation of the cylinder.

I can't speak to the durability. I never plan on putting a lot of rounds through mine. It does see quite a bit of carry time though.
 
I have one of the new S&W 325PD's. This is a snub nosed .45 acp built on the Scandium frame. To say it is Scandium or alum is a little misleading, the barrel is a steel liner, the barrel shroud is plain alum, the cylinder is titanium and the frame is Scandium alloyed alum. That said I really really like this gun. First I would like to say that I am a fan of the .45 acp, second I like S&W wheel guns. I have not shoot any of the scandium .357's or .44mag's. They are reportedly very abusive. The .45 acp gun I have is not bad at all to shoot. I think this is due to the relatively low speed of the acp, approx 800fps vs the 1200+ fps of the mags. I have the stock wood grips on my gun and can put 100 rounds down range without discomfort. I am used to shooting .45 acp's, .45 Colt's, .44 mag's, and 10mm's. I am really wanting to get one of the .44 mag Scandium frame guns to shoot .44 specials in as I think this would be the equivelent of shooting the .45 acp gun that I have.

Tom
 
Mwerner, the same alloy is used in bicycles not only for the higher strength but the scandium is excellent when the alloy is welded as they do in bicycles.
 
I recently bought a S&W 342PD...scandium/titanium frame in .38spl.

I like the weapon alot. It does take some practice to be accurate as the weapon only weighs about 10 ozs. The Uncle Mike's pocket holster is a great addition.
 
Hey Tom, if you get one of the 44s would you please post some comments. When I saw this model I couldn't help but think that it would make a great anti-bear gun for hikers/guides. Understand I myself am not anti--bear (rather fond of them actually) just what jumped into my head. I would love to hear some actual hands on reporting on this one. Did you ever handle the lightweight(airlite?) 44 special that S/W made a few years ago? I never got to shoot one but it felt awesome and I am sort of a sucker for the 44 spl.

Sam (cringing to think what it would feel like to shoot a scandium 357mag j frame)
 
Edgetrip,
If and when I get one no problem will post a review. I had a used one scoped out (6 shots :) only), but one of the guys at the gun shop bought it the day I went in with the money. :mad: I think this would be a great field gun, shoot .44 special heavy bullets. You can always shoot .44 mag if you need to.

Tom
 
I had a 340 pd. Cool revolver, but best to shoot it with someone else's hand! You can carry it all day in a pair of bush shorts with no one the wiser. I went to (or would, I mean, If it were legal here ) to the kel-tec .32. Amazing little pistol for really deep carry.

Lou
 
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