Ammunition Warning for Ti,Sc,PD Series Revolvers

[TMan]

The S&W 460 XVR came with a generic revolver manual. So how much would it cost to give me a manual for my gun? Anyhow, I thought it rather interesting that they addressed a problem with the light weight revolvers.

Before placing any of these reduced weight revolvers into service, perform the following test to determine the suitability of the ammunition you intend to use.

At a gun range or other suitable and safe location, prepare your revolver for firing by fully loading its cylinder with the ammunition to be tested. While pointing the firearm in a safe direction, fire all but the last round. Remove the empty casings and the last loaded round from the revolver's cylinder.

Carefully inspect the loaded round to determine if its bullet has started to unseat (move forward) from its casing. If it has, you should not use the tested ammunition in your revolver. Choose another projectile weight or brand of ammunition and repeat this test until you find one that DOES NOT UNSEAT under these test conditions. When you are finished, fully unload your revolver and secure it safely.

ALL SCANDIUM REVOLVERS FIRING MAGNUM AMMUNITION

WARNING: DO NOT USE MAGNUM LOADINGS WITH BULLET WEIGHTS OF LESS THAT 120 GR. THIS WILL REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PREMATURE CYLINDER EROSION.

Now what could possibly cause the a projectile to unseat from its casing? The casing would have to move backwards away from the projectile. Unbelievable recoil.

Does anyone have any idea why a light bullet weight will cause cylinder erosion? What is with that?

[MLB]

I understand the unseating of the bullets due to recoil, but not the erosion of the cylinder. Must have something to do with bullet velocity. I think that that's the only thing that would change with a change in bullet weight. (here we go again...)

[5ontarget]

It may have something to do with not only the velocity of the bullet, but also the powder. The lighter bullets will separate from the case sooner than a heavier bullet, and therfore may expose the cylinder to more burning powder than the heavier bullet.

I think the unseating has to be due to the recoil of these lightweight guns.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; 5ontarget is right with the higher velosity of the lighter bullets; the faster burning powder used for the lighter bullets will result in premature cylinder erosion for the titanium cylinders.
In the quest for increasingly lighter revolvers, there exist a race for who will have the smallest, lightest, and most powerful handgun on the market. This has resulted in bringing about a new dawn in metalurgy for the handgun industry.

[ron]

I just posted this in the General forum:

I have an S&W 642 with the aluminum frame.
It certainly isn't comfortable to shoot, but I don't consider it painful. I can shoot about 100 rounds of 38 spl out of it without problem.
38 spl +p is a different matter. I can shoot a few cylinders of it (10-20 rounds) and I have had it!

A buddy owns the 357 version (I forget the model number). The cylinder would jam on occasion. He found that the snap-back after recoil caused the bullet to dislodge from the casing and cause the jam. Now that is a hand pounding.

Ron

["DoubleAction"]

Ron; Thanks for bringing this into the light with an actual "Case" ( No Pun Intended ) involving the ammo.

[ron]

No problem, DoubleAction.

I had been considering buying a 357 Airweight style revolver when my friend brought this issue to my attention. He was one of the people who brought me back into handgunning and has my highest respect.

Regards,
Ron

[TMan]

Hey, if he can handle the recoil from that gun, he has my respect too.

[ron]

;D I'm afraid that it is 5 and out, even for him. He equates firing it to being hit between the thumb and first finger with a 5 pound sledge.
Otherwise, it is perfectly comfortable.

Ron