Aluminum Alloy / SS S&W Revolvers?

S

Spencer

New member
:confused: Does anyone have any thoughts about the aluminum alloy / stainless steel S&W revolvers? The 673 is an example. They look like an inexpensive version of the titanium - they're almost as light but about 2/3 or 1/2 of the cost - but I wonder about the quality. Thanks for the comments.
 
It depends upon your intend use. I have a aluminum 642 that I've owned for years. I only shoot 50 to 100 rounds a year through it, but it's held up just fine. It's one of the older non +p rated guns, but I still fire +p through it with no excessive wear signs yet.
 
I have an aluminum frame S&W 442, 38 Special, non +P, and have owned it for over 10 years, haven't shot it a lot and it's never been used with hot ammo, just mild stuff. Still like new. I think if you really intend to shoot the gun a lot, or want to use hot ammo, the high-end scandium/titanium guns might be the way to go. But by the same token, my 442 has a steel cylinder and barrel, and I believe that steel is stronger than any titanium alloy. I basically see all of these ultra-lights as being in the category of "carry lots, shoot seldom." If I want a gun to put a lot of rounds through, I go with an all steel version.
 
I never understand people who want a gun to carry but rarely shoot. I had a 442 and got rid of it so no more light guns for me, thanks; if you have a few hundred to throw away on something you'll never use at the range, power to you. I'm planning to buying a model 60. I think it's a 22 oz gun, but it's got enough heft to make the .38's real tame; I'll have to try it out with magnums too sometime.... I like a gun that's great for carry but you can actually enjoy at the range on a regular basis. There's no way I've been able to figure on achieving accuracy without practice.
 
IMHO, the alloy/steel J-frames are the best snubbies in the S&W stable. Light enough to be easily carried in a pocket, heavy enough to not be painful to shoot or pull bullets loose, and they're a whole lot cheaper than the Scandium/Ti guns.

The superlightweights are cool, but expensive, and brutal in recoil. If a sixteen-ounce snub is too heavy, it's time to hit the gym or invest in better carry wardrobe. I cannot understand the drive for .357 Magnums made out of styrofoam, but the sales numbers obviously indicate that there's a market.
 
It's probably for "yuppies" who want something to threaten the bad guy with but pray they'll never have to use it. I can't figure why anyone in their right mind would pay so much for something that feels like a toy, but shoots like a shotgun.... :eek: I say spare yourself the discomfort. Get something with a little weight and have a blast using it -- again, unless you're well off and money just isn't a consideration.
 
Has anyone here shot a lot through their aluminum alloy gun (442, 642, etc.)? I'm taking about at least 5000 rounds per year. Just wondering how they hold up to regular practice.
 
I've never heard of anyone having problems with those models, but then I've never heard of anyone who's shot them enough to know. It's just too painful to use to that extent. The only guns that see that much use are my semis, New Single Six and 686 magnum.
 
The Airweights (642, 638, 637 in the current lineup) are S&W's "Goldilocks Guns" in my opinion.

"This Scandium AirLite is too light to shoot! This steel 640 is too heavy to carry in my pocket! Ahhhhh... This 442 is just right!" :)

I pocket carry a 442 with CTC Lasergrips every day, and (other poster's experiences to the contrary) it gets shot plenty. I know for a fact that Mr. Kloos shoots his 642 as often as his busy schedule allows, and his range sessions with it are fairly long ones, so the idea that "Nobody can shoot an Airweight enough" is simply not true. Some folks find their recoil unpleasant, but then I also know someone who finds a PPK's recoil to be unpleasant: to each their own.
 
I don't know about 5000 rounds per year!! :eek:
But, I put about 1-2 hundred rounds through my aluminum framed Taurus every time I shoot it!! I don't shoot it every weekend. But I shoot it enough to know I can hit with it. I have maybe 6 to 7 hundred rounds through it and it's doing just fine!!
 
OK here's the reason. I have shot my 1911s several hundred times this month, and shot my G17 several hundred times this month, and shot my Colt trooper a couple hundred times this month, and shot my 1911 and G17 22 LR conversion a bulk box or two or three this month,
SO I don't have to shoot my carry sidearm a couple hundred times every week to hit a man sized target at 10 fT!
And you can bet yur butt I can hit a man sized target @10ft with any lightweight revolver or auto!! I may not get fast double taps, but you will get a steady dose of lead, center mass, lightweight or feather weight!
Do I carry my feather weight all the time, no way, I usually like alittle more heaft, but there are times when the lightest sidearm I got is nice to have and a whole lot better then unarmed!!
 
They look like an inexpensive version of the titanium...
Click to expand...

Actually, the Ti/Sc guns are just expensive versions of the aluminum guns. :) If I were so inclined, I'd question the quality of the new Airlites against the proven quality standard of the Airweights, which have been around for about fifty years now, and have been doing just fine.
 
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