i recently puchased a ruger 9mm lcr, i just notice above the forcing cone that the factory cut what i would call a relief out. it looks like flame cutting like i had on an old service six but this is a new gun. is anyone else who has an lcr have this? if ruger is doing this, what would be the reason? thanks
flame cutting relief on lcr?
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R.W.Dale
Member
I've seen these reliefs on other guns. It's almost as though makers have figured out what us welder/fabricators have known for years.
It's much harder to get a flame cut started in a curved surface than a square or flat one
It's much harder to get a flame cut started in a curved surface than a square or flat one
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Perhaps a preemptive strike on Rugers part.
It can't flame cut, if it is already clearance cut to stop it.
rc
It can't flame cut, if it is already clearance cut to stop it.
rc
I am not quite clear. Do you mean that there is flame cutting (a narrow eroded line across the top of the cylinder window) or that there is a "fingernail" cut put in by the factory to prevent flame cutting?
Some flame cutting in a revolver is common though it usually takes thousands of rounds for it to begin. The revolver makers have run extensive tests and found that it proceeds to a certain point far short of any danger, then stops.
If there is a factory cutout to prevent flame cutting, that is good.
P.S. Some good pictures would help.
Jim
Some flame cutting in a revolver is common though it usually takes thousands of rounds for it to begin. The revolver makers have run extensive tests and found that it proceeds to a certain point far short of any danger, then stops.
If there is a factory cutout to prevent flame cutting, that is good.
P.S. Some good pictures would help.
Jim
S&W used to cut a football shaped shallow pit in the top strap at the cylinder/barrel junction to prevent or reduce flame cutting. I have seen some recent models where they installed a seperate shield to prevent flame cutting of the top strap.
Just avoid high velocity ultra light bullet loads and the flame cutting problem will simply go away. Any load that generates enough gas to cut on a frame is just wasting powder. We have far too many people who place "velocity" above everything else.
Dan-O
Member
Wife's new .327 lcr has the relief cuts as well.
243winxb
Member
Note to self- Dont shoot next to anyone shooting a Ruger lcr.
Stand back away from anyone shooting anything. You would be amazed at how many people I have seen who refuse to believe or cannot grasp how much hot gas and even pieces shaved from a bullet come out of a cylinder gap. People have lost fingers and seriously injured their eyes because they refused to believe it also. They believe it now...... Stay behind that line.
The S&W "thumbnail" and the Ruger LCR cuts seem to have the same purpose, not to redirect the flash, but to allow the hot gas room to expand and cool once it is free of the constricted area at the barrel-cylinder gap. Angling off the front of the cylinder will accomplish the same thing, as will increasing the b-c gap.
The problem is that a tight b-c gap is wanted to reduce gas escape, but the smaller it is, the greater the velocity of the gas (paging Sig. Bernoulli) and the greater the cutting. So makers have tried to keep the gap tight, but allow a place for the gas to expand and cool down.
Jim
The problem is that a tight b-c gap is wanted to reduce gas escape, but the smaller it is, the greater the velocity of the gas (paging Sig. Bernoulli) and the greater the cutting. So makers have tried to keep the gap tight, but allow a place for the gas to expand and cool down.
Jim
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
I have heard a couple of explanations for the old thumbnail shaped relief on the underside of top straps of old Colts and Smiths.
One explanation is it was put there for Black Powder fouling to collect in without binding the cylinder. The other explanation is that it was there to prevent flame cutting. You can see a trace of flame cutting in this photo, flame cutting is always in a straight line. Whatever the reason for the cut, flame cutting is self limiting. Once it starts it doesn't seem to get any worse.
I have heard a couple of explanations for the old thumbnail shaped relief on the underside of top straps of old Colts and Smiths.
One explanation is it was put there for Black Powder fouling to collect in without binding the cylinder. The other explanation is that it was there to prevent flame cutting. You can see a trace of flame cutting in this photo, flame cutting is always in a straight line. Whatever the reason for the cut, flame cutting is self limiting. Once it starts it doesn't seem to get any worse.
Flame cutting is nothing to get worried about as it only cuts to a certain point and then stops. It wont go through the top strap. I've had it for decades on my 629 and it has never increased from the original cut.
My guess in this case with Ruger is that it's preventative measures against lots of phone calls and Internet commandos who are on their first wheelie.
My guess in this case with Ruger is that it's preventative measures against lots of phone calls and Internet commandos who are on their first wheelie.
It's for handloaders. Those guys are all crazy. I know because I am one. 
When I first started I abused some nice guns terribly. Now I know better. But flame cutting isn't the most serious problem. You should see what I have done to Ruger forcing cones. That won't stop on its own. The forcing cone just goes away.
When I first started I abused some nice guns terribly. Now I know better. But flame cutting isn't the most serious problem. You should see what I have done to Ruger forcing cones. That won't stop on its own. The forcing cone just goes away.- Status