WheelMan
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I now own a Smith and Wesson (my first S&W) with a titanium cylinder. Anything special I should know about? Any solvents a no-no? brass brush okay? Thanks
Care of Titanium?
- Thread starter WheelMan
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What do you mean by protective finish?
Titanium is so corrosion resistant, Titanium nitride is used to protect stainless steel. If S&W has a "protective" finish on titanium, maybe it's not titanium.
IOW actual titanium doesn't require any special care, that's one of the great things about titanium.
Larry
From what I understand, Titanium can errode when exposed to high pressure and high temperature flame. ie. hot gasses from the combustion of the powder.
I'm familiar with what titanium nitride finishes provide, haven't seen an entire TiN revolver finish, not sure if they can die the finish like they can do with anodizing because most all the TiN finishes I've seen have been that rather bright golden color.
Not 100% sure but I seem to recall it being a similar issue with Titanium revolvers as with the scandium Revolvers. S&W put a steel insert in the top strap of their new 329 to try to reduce flame cutting where the hot gasses would hit just above the barrel/cylinder gap.
Somebody else will likely clear this up, maybe it's purely the scandium metals I'm thinking of. Titanium isn't the total miracle metal though, it does have it's drawbacks but with my interest laying in much older S&W revolvers I am not that familiar with the new wonder metals.
I'm familiar with what titanium nitride finishes provide, haven't seen an entire TiN revolver finish, not sure if they can die the finish like they can do with anodizing because most all the TiN finishes I've seen have been that rather bright golden color.
Not 100% sure but I seem to recall it being a similar issue with Titanium revolvers as with the scandium Revolvers. S&W put a steel insert in the top strap of their new 329 to try to reduce flame cutting where the hot gasses would hit just above the barrel/cylinder gap.
Somebody else will likely clear this up, maybe it's purely the scandium metals I'm thinking of. Titanium isn't the total miracle metal though, it does have it's drawbacks but with my interest laying in much older S&W revolvers I am not that familiar with the new wonder metals.
Some metallurgical facts. Many metals depend on a protective oxide coating for corrosion resistance, if that layer is damaged corrosion may start. Anodizing of aluminum is an oxide layer built up electrolytically ,then the oxide has a wax applied, sometimes colored dye is added. Titanium is anodized electrolytically also but the color comes from that process, the color depending on the voltage. ....Scandium is a rare earth metal and very expensive, you wouldn't want to pay for a scandium gun. The so called scandium guns are actually aluminum alloys with about 1/2 % scandium for added strength. .....Titanium frames should not need any special care. Cleaning agents and brass brushes should be ok. Does the owners manual suggest special care ?
farscott
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S&W's manuals explain that abrasives, including brushes, should not be utlilized on the titanium cylinders. Apparently titanium, while naturally protected from corrosion by its own oxide layer, is susceptible to being damaged by the blast from firing. S&W applies a protective finish to minimize the blast effects.
On the S&W forum, there are pics of a .357 Magnum titanium-cylindered J-frame with pieces of the titanium cylinder blasted off the surface facing the forcing cone. The revolver was returned to S&W, and the cylinder was replaced.
On the S&W forum, there are pics of a .357 Magnum titanium-cylindered J-frame with pieces of the titanium cylinder blasted off the surface facing the forcing cone. The revolver was returned to S&W, and the cylinder was replaced.
Lancel
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Since titanium is used in rocket engines, you'd think hot gases wouldn't be a problem.
I'm thinking that in firearms, the same powder and gases that erode the surface may leave a coating that prevents the oxide (or nitride) from forming and thus preventing the corrosion protection in that area.
In any case, it's still a great material but I'd follow S&W's recommendations for care.
Larry
I'm thinking that in firearms, the same powder and gases that erode the surface may leave a coating that prevents the oxide (or nitride) from forming and thus preventing the corrosion protection in that area.
In any case, it's still a great material but I'd follow S&W's recommendations for care.
Larry
Normally rocket engines are not designed to last for years and for repeated uses (yes, I know there are a few exceptions to this generalization). Rather, they are usually designed for intensive conditions of very brief duration. Therefore, the comparison to a revolver that one wants to remain fully functional and accurate for lifetimeS is not entirely accurate.
I own several examples of each of the four light weight versions (all aluminum, aluminum/Ti, scandium/Ti and total titanium) and per the oweners manual DO NOT use any abrasive materials on them.
To quote the manual; "To do so will disrupt it's protective surface layer and greatly reduce the cylinder's service life because of excessive erosion that will take place while firing and will void your revolver's warranty"
I only use solvent, patches and plastic bore brushes on the titanium and aluminum cylinders.
JAC
To quote the manual; "To do so will disrupt it's protective surface layer and greatly reduce the cylinder's service life because of excessive erosion that will take place while firing and will void your revolver's warranty"
I only use solvent, patches and plastic bore brushes on the titanium and aluminum cylinders.
JAC
shooting4fun
Member
G'day uglygun, and et al.,
I've got one of those S&W pocket rockets. It is my understanding that the frames are Aluminum with a small percentage of Scandium alloyed with it. This changes the structure of the Aluminum to provide enhanced strength. That little flange of metal is to protect the Aluminum topstrap from excessive flame [plasma] cutting. The cylinders are made from a titanum alloy.
I know Aluminum will create an oxide layer on the exterior surfaces. I'm not sure about titanum as it is generally inert. As for a protective layer applied, you might inquire with S&W on that one.
I will say that clean up is fairly straight forward. I've not really got that pocket rocket too dirty as it is not that fun to shoot. It gets carried way more than fired at the range. It has handled 180 gr Reminton Core-loc rounds quite nicely.
Caution: only fire these in double action mode, otherwise trigger finger takes one heck of a beating!!!! Yeah, they are really lively!!!
Please take a moment to think about our veterans, those who are currently with us and those in our memories! Cheers!
I've got one of those S&W pocket rockets. It is my understanding that the frames are Aluminum with a small percentage of Scandium alloyed with it. This changes the structure of the Aluminum to provide enhanced strength. That little flange of metal is to protect the Aluminum topstrap from excessive flame [plasma] cutting. The cylinders are made from a titanum alloy.
I know Aluminum will create an oxide layer on the exterior surfaces. I'm not sure about titanum as it is generally inert. As for a protective layer applied, you might inquire with S&W on that one.
I will say that clean up is fairly straight forward. I've not really got that pocket rocket too dirty as it is not that fun to shoot. It gets carried way more than fired at the range. It has handled 180 gr Reminton Core-loc rounds quite nicely.
Caution: only fire these in double action mode, otherwise trigger finger takes one heck of a beating!!!! Yeah, they are really lively!!!
Please take a moment to think about our veterans, those who are currently with us and those in our memories! Cheers!
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