Polygonal Rifling Life

[Texasred]

I remember reading on here that the rifiling they use in Glocks and HKs practically lasts forever. Does the same hold true for that .357 that SW makes, or does the high increase in velocity effect it more than the other calibers.

 

[MachIVshooter]

S&W doesn't have anything with a polygonal bore. The .460 XVR uses gain-twist rifling.

 

[Texasred]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=51525&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

 

[Texasred]

So nobody can help me here huh?

 

[esheato]

I would assume polygonal to be polygonal with the same benefits across the board. S&W knows a thing or two about guns...I would trust their judgment.

Besides, doesn't HK have a model in .357 Sig with polygonal rifling? P200 maybe?

Ed

BTW, I would have bet the house that HK, Glock and Kahr were the only guys using polygonal barrels. Thanks for the edumacation.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I stand corrected. That is the only poly rifled revolver I've ever heard of. On that note, Polygonal rifling gives only a negledgeable increase in velocity (reduced friction, I've found only ~30 FPS with 9mm, closer to 40 FPS with 10mm and .45), and handguns don't really wear out barrels anyway. Biggest advantage to poly is easier cleaning.

 

[AviatorDave]

But that does say "button polygonal rifling". It's quite different than the HK polygonal rifling, which is formed by pushing a mandrel up the barrel, and then hammering the hell out of it until the bore forms around the mandrel, then they pull the mandrel out.

The Glock polygonal rifling looks a lot more similar to standard rifling than the HK polygonal barrels do, I suspect that SW button polygonal rifling might look more like Glock's.