sandy4570
Member
Why brass frame revolver is not as good as steel frame ? I have read that it will stretch over time but how many rounds does it take to stretch the frame ? what is the danger sign and symptom of such frame stretch ?
Brass frame revolver
- Thread starter sandy4570
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Try taking a piece of brass, and hit it with a steel hammer. That's why brass isn't as good as steel.
Don't know how long it takes for them to stretch, but probably between 500 and a couple thousand shots. Main thing that will happen is the cylinder gap will become excessive.
Don't know how long it takes for them to stretch, but probably between 500 and a couple thousand shots. Main thing that will happen is the cylinder gap will become excessive.
TheBigAR2003
Member
Just no hot loads keep it at or below the recommended load and it will shoot for years
Brass frames were used by the confederacy when their steel supply ran low the historically correct one at cables is the 1851 round barrel .36
Brass frames were used by the confederacy when their steel supply ran low the historically correct one at cables is the 1851 round barrel .36
arcticap
Member
Only the .44's have that brass stretching & wear problems, not the .36 revolvers or smaller.
Keep the loads at ~25 grains or less depending on the powder strength.
crgator
Member
Cabella's had the brass frame for $129.99 and I decided that was a good price to spend to see if I would enjoy BP. I load 20 grain and I think I'll be good for quite a while. I just use it for fun target shooting, so I don't really need hot loads anyhow.
I think I like BP, so I'll probably get a steel frame later.
I think I like BP, so I'll probably get a steel frame later.
Pulp
Member
I've been shooting my brass framed .44 for 8 years now. Normal 30 grain loads. It hasn't shown any signs of stretching yet.
sandy4570
Member
Thank guys for the good info, and yes the Cabela sale really make me curious about brass frame beside I really like the shiny brass revolver , I guess only one way to find out is to get it and shoot the heck out of it (with light reasonable load ) .
Another problem is that Colt-style brass frames sometimes crack between the threaded hole the cylinder arbor (base pin) is screwed into, and the slot for the hand. For this reason I would suggest that you:
Buy a Remington-style brass framed revolver, which is less likely to crack.
Or save up your money and buy either a Colt or Remington style revolver with a steel frame - which ever you like best.
Buy a Remington-style brass framed revolver, which is less likely to crack.
Or save up your money and buy either a Colt or Remington style revolver with a steel frame - which ever you like best.
MCgunner
Member
I hit that sale for one of those, too. I load it with 20 grains of 777 and corn meal filler and it's light enough to preserve the frame while plenty hot enough for range fun. Hell, it's hot enough for self defense if I was going to do that with a BP revolver.
Before I knew all this about brassers, I had one I bought new in college in 1974. By 1980 it'd stretched to the point it had excessive head space and wouldn't fire anymore. I didn't know any better, just stuffed it full with 3F Goex and a 220 grain Lee Conical.
Lesson learned. I have a Ruger Old Army, too, but I just couldn't resist that 130 bucks. I was going to build a snubby with a barrel I got off gunbroker, but the danged barrel turned out to be accurate and I decided to keep it 7". I like the little 5" barrel it came with, too. I also have a Remington .31 pocket brasser. I don't really worry about THAT one stretching. I've had it for around 15 years now, still tight. I don't shoot it that often, though.
Not only will you have fun shooting, you'll have a beautiful piece of functional artwork as well! Some folks just aren't quite able to grasp the subtlety required to own and shoot a brass-framed piece of any calibre; they like to make fun of things they don't understand and comment on things they obviously know nothing about. To see you making the intelligent decision in this matter brings a tear to these old eyes.
Get the gun, treat it with respect, and you will have a legacy for your grandkids. I'm starting my 6-year-old granddaughter out with the brasser I bought in '79, so I speak from experience. And, BTW, I've put far more than "500 to a couple thousand" shots through it, so look forward to lots of fun in the future!
Get the gun, treat it with respect, and you will have a legacy for your grandkids. I'm starting my 6-year-old granddaughter out with the brasser I bought in '79, so I speak from experience. And, BTW, I've put far more than "500 to a couple thousand" shots through it, so look forward to lots of fun in the future!
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Keep the loads reasonable and you won't have any problems. I load mine with 16gr 3f Goex and she makes plenty of smoke and noise. It will even hit a target at 100 yards if you want to although not consistantly enough to put money on.
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