[tomkatz]

anyone seen one? I'd been wondering when someone would bring exotic material to the auto world....tom

http://www.smith-wesson.com/products/firearms/airlitesc/m4040pd.htm

[mete]

Exotic ? BS The scandium alloy frame is really aluminum with small ( less than 1% ) amounts of scandium. The scandium is there for increased strength . Scandium is one of the rare earth metals ( $$$) , you wouldn't pay for a gun made of scandium. To call it a scandium alloy is nothing more than false advertizing. So much for S&W.

[10-Ring]

Maybe in a 9mm, but would be kinda leary in bigger calibers. Tough enough shooting it in a revolver...I think I'd still prefer poly.

[tomkatz]

Scandium sells for somewhere in the neighborhood of $7000. a pound, so yeah I would say it would not make sense to produce a frame made of pure scandium, but the small amount they add makes the alloy have a much finer grain structure creating a metal that is several times as strong and longer lasting than plain old aluminum. You could not have 13oz. 357 magnum guns without scandium. I don't really like S&W either but I still like to read about any company trying something new and different. My real interest in scandium stems from my side job as a maker of custom mtn. bike frames, the scandium/alloy frames have been outlasting conventional alloy frames(under racing conditions) by a pretty substantial margin....tom

[USGuns]

I remember sending them an email ages ago about making an autoloader w/scandium. The responder from S&W said that he would suggest it to the product planners. Not saying my email made this happen, just glad to see they have one now. I just wish they had a 9mm.

[Kilgor]

Why would you want that and how is the scandium making it lighter?

A Glock 27 holds 10 rounds of .40 s&w and weighs 19.75 oz.

This gun holds 8 rounds of .40 s&w and weighs 25.6 oz.

I don't get it.

[tomkatz]

Adding scandium to the mix doesn't make it lighter, it makes it stronger and longer lasting than conventional aluminum...tom

[Shane]

So, does adding Scandium to aluminum increase its strength to levels approaching steel?

[Kilgor]

Ok, it makes it stronger than aluminum. The Glock polymer frame is exceedingly strong.

Anyone explain the need for scandium in an auto when it produces a heavier gun that holds fewer rounds?

I see the advantage on a 13 oz .357, but an auto?

[tomkatz]

Kilgor...I see what you mean, I have glocks and this won't make me run out and buy the smith, we see so few failures in alloy frames that this does seem more of marketing tool than anything else. But those who don't like the polymer guns, and some who prefer the flatter profile of a single stack mag, may go for this gun. Judging from the price of scandium/ti revolvers this gun may cost alot though.
Shane...As to the strength of steel vs. scandium, the steel is stronger, but the strength to weight ratio is higher for scandium, and from what I have seen in my mountain bike frames the fatigue resistance of scandium is really good. I really am not an expert on this so if someone can shed some knowledge here it would be welcome.
And ya know, I just may buy one someday after all...tom

check out this link, there is some information on scandium....

http://www.smith-wesson.com/products/firearms/airlitesc/index.htm

[mete]

Tomkatz, as a bike man you should check out the following , it gives a good description ; www.geocities.com/panzhebin/scandium.htm