Long-term durability of aluminum .22LR receivers?

[MatthewVanitas]

I picked up a used Ithaca 72 Saddlegun recently, the predecessor of the current Henry lever-action .22. As I understand it, this model was designed by a New Yorker in the 60s, made for a couple different folks by factories in the US and West Germany, and then brought back by the designer's son under the "Henry" brand.

I'm actually really impressed by this little gun. It's a lot lighter than my Marlin 39, the trigger is about as good, and the lever is far smoother.

I understand that the Marlin is solid steel, and the Ithaca/Higgins/Erma/Henry has an aluminum receiver. How big a deal is that for long-term durability?

Is a steel receiver Taurus 63 (Win63 copy) going to last for millions of rounds more than a Marlin 60? Or is the steel just more durable in the sense of "will better survive being thrown from a moving car or dropped out the window"?

Has anyone seen, say, a Marlin 60 receiver that's actually worn out? Not just a worn feed throat or extractor, but an actual "beyond all use" worn aluminum receiver?

Thanks for any info,

-MV

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Umm... this is in the Handguns section because... ummm... some handgun shooters might like rifes too or something.

(Mods feel free to move to Rifle)

 

[Majic]

Have you seen or heard of an AR-15 receiver wearing out? It's also made of aluminum, although there are many different grades of aluminum.

 

[atblis]

AR receivers

don't wear out because they are pretty much just along for the ride. THe bolt and barrel are steel (the lockup). THe trigger parts are steel and they ride on steel pins.

Heck you could probably make the receiver out of plastic or, I dont know, maybe carbon fiber?

 

[Rupestris]

A friend of mine (posts here as Ron L) has a Glenfield 75 (Same as the Model 60 IIRC). The barrel is shot out but the reciever is still pluggin' away. I can't imagine how many thousands of rounds have gone through that rifle.

I doub't you'll have any issues with your receiver.

 

[AJAX22]

Never dry fire that Ithica, I have a buddy with one, and if you break that firing pin, you'll have to learn more about gunsmithing than you ever wanted to.

AR7 rifles can have wear in the aluminum receiver, mostly it shows up as hairline cracks in the front of the receiver next to the threads.

but I've never heard of it in a marlin, or a ruger or any solidly constructed yet lightweight .22