Frame material

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HPJeep

HPJeep

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So we have handgun frames in steel, aluminum, scandium, brass, zamak and plastic. Why not bronze? Yeah it's not lighter but it's a nice looking material from an aesthetic perspective. Just wondering why it has not been used before.
 
And frames "in Scandium" are aluminum alloy with bare trace amounts of scandium.

But, to your question, while a bronze alloy might be suitable for a number of low pressure cartridges, the cost of tooling for a redesigning for bronze options, combined with consumer perceptions of weakness, likely render it unprofitable. Having said that, the "brass" black powder revolvers are actually bronze alloys.
 
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My quick answer would be that generally speaking, bronze is more brittle being *harder* than brass and aside from an availability/cost of zinc ever being a problem, there's really no reason to consider bronze in the case of weaponry.

Todd.
 
There were a couple of single action revolvers with bronze frames. Century Manufacturing did some. 45-70, and 50-70 were two of the chamberings if I recall correctly.

Kevin
 
Maybe not bronze, but aluminum bronze. That's some tough stuff. I used to make custom flashlights out of it. It's pretty heavy though. From what I understand it either still is or was at one time used to line torpedo tubes.
 
Either the frame bears a load so you use a strong material like steel*, or it doesn’t, so you use a light material, like aluminum or plastic.

Copper alloys are in the middle ground of ‘not very strong yet heavy’, so they don’t get used much.

BSW

Yes I know there are aluminum framed revolvers where the frame bears a significant load, but that’s a special case.
 
Having bent and nicked my share of bronze and Nibral (Nickel, Bronze, Aluminum) props on my Nautiques over the years...bronze is a soft metal alloy for sure.

Beryllium Copper? Now that's a tough enough metal alloy that could surely look good as a gun frame. I know PING irons made of it look good in my golf bag.

Stay safe.
 
I would, too. A friend worked at one of the few beryllium using plants. He now has berylliosis and has applied to a treatment study.

But, beryllium copper contains maximum of 3% Be and has been used for products like non-sparking tools, trumpet bells, and Charter Arms firing pins.
 
How the heck do you harden bronze without hammering the material? It does not heat treat, it work hardens. It is heavy, very heavy. It is not cheap, but I don't know the relative cost.
 
Bronze makes better bullets than guns. Some dangerous game solids are made from some bronze alloys.
 
You have to be a bit careful, there have been some double express rifles damaged with solid bronze bullets. Apparently the traveling temporary bulge over the hard bullet can pop soldered ribs loose.

Or consider the Speer African Grand Slam; a bronze slug with a proportionately small diameter tungsten core.
 
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DocRock said:
And frames "in Scandium" are aluminum alloy with bare trace amounts of scandium.

But, to your question, while a bronze alloy might be suitable for a number of low pressure cartridges, the cost of tooling for a redesigning for bronze options, combined with consumer perceptions of weakness, likely render it unprofitable. Having said that, the "brass" black powder revolvers are actually bronze alloys.
Click to expand...
FL-NC said:
I have a Glock 19C with a bronze cerakoted slide.
Click to expand...

What's the max amount of rounds you've been able to shoot in a range session? Bronze has that faster wear factor thank steel and other used gun metals.
 
briansmithwins said:
I try to stay away from anything using beryllium. Consumer product made with Be? No, just no.

BSW
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Machining and breathing the dust or welding and breathing the fumes from beryllium metals can be nasty for sure. Once the end product is done I don’t know if the metal itself is hazardous to touch. The golf clubs are still out there

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
Machining and breathing the dust or welding and breathing the fumes from beryllium metals can be nasty for sure. Once the end product is done I don’t know if the metal itself is hazardous to touch. The golf clubs are still out there

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

I was thinking revolver frame made with Be and the flame cutting revolvers experience.

I know they don’t vaporize a lot of frame material with each shot but still...

BSW
 
I'm liking that Springfield Armory bronze prototype! I agree with the steampunk comment!
 
briansmithwins said:
I was thinking revolver frame made with Be and the flame cutting revolvers experience.

I know they don’t vaporize a lot of frame material with each shot but still...

BSW
Click to expand...
Sure, that makes sense. I was thinking more a revolver grip frame, 1911 frame or slide or a lever gun frame...:)

Stay safe.
 
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