Aluminum Slide?

R

redlightrich

New member
Hello all. Is anyone aware of any pistol that uses an aluminum slide that indeed locks open on the last shot?

If so, do they hold up well?

I am working on a small project and I am curious if anyone knows of any examples?

Thank you

Rich
 
I have seen some 22lr pistols that use aluminum slides, like the Ruger SR22.

They install a steel pin in the slide at the slide stop notch that takes the brunt of the force during slide lock.

This would definitely need to be done on a centerfire... But I am not sure the slide would hold up well to all the other forces.
 
Thank you for all the replies. I shoot a lot of 22lr, and for my 1911 I have 2 22lr conversion kits. One is AA and one is a Kimber. The Kimber is a nicer overall piece ( both kits use aluminum slides) but Kimber does not have the very important to me, last round hold open feature. I realize I can count shots, but even when I try, I sometimes lose count.

The reason the Kimber won't lock open, is because they made a special mag that does not have the tab that activates the slide lock. If you simply insert an Advantage Arms mag, the slide locks open. The AA kit has put a very small steel insert parallel to the slide lock opening. This concept is similar to the Ruger SR22 using a steel pin to bear the load.

If I never add the steel, do you think it will quickly wear out? I believe a competent gunsmith or even a jewelry maker could add this feature fairly easily. Even though I was a machinist in my previous life, I don't possess the equipment anymore to do work this fine. My eyes are not as good, and I shake more. Yes, I have a lot of excuses!!!

I will post pix in a separate thread that illustrates the major differences in the 2 kits. I realize that on this board, most of us are in love with 1911's so I feel that it may be helpful, especially being that most kits for 1911 are within a few dollars of each other.

As always, thank you all for the help and sharing the know how!!!


Rich
 
I think there are NO "Aluminum Slides" per say that I know of because aluminum is less wearable under stress. But "Aluminum Alloy" slides do exist. Beretta marketed their 90-TWO 9mm that was to revolutionize the former FS-92. It was a composite alloy that lightened the frame and slide. You don't see many of those on the shelves today, but I have their 90-TWO that shoots like a charm, is lighter and has with a Picanniny rail and holds 17+1. Sweet! Aluminum cannot hold up to the rigor of the action.
 
The little French made Unique Model L was available with an aluminum slide. Mine shoots well, but I haven't put that many rounds through it. Ironically, the frame is steel. Apparently the gun was available with a combination of steel frame/Al slide, Al frame/steel slide. steel frame/slide or Al frame/slide.
 
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A light slide can be made to work with rimfire, but with more powerful cartridges, and even with a locked breech pistol, the slide has to have some amount of mass (weight) in order to keep the recoil from destroying the slide and indeed the whole gun. With a blowback, an aluminum slide would not provide enough mass to resist the pressure and the gun would open too soon, again destroying itself.

Some will contend that a light slide would work if a strong enough recoil spring were used, but then the weight of the spring would offset much of the weight savings achieved with a light slide.

Jim
 
My conversion kit for the sig P 938 is aluminum thus rendering the assembled pistol to the "extremely light" category, however, the kit is a real shooter. Mine came out of the box with Sig quality night sights and accuracy beyond what one could expect out of such a small package. Although it is such a nice package when I carry the pistol it is back to it's original 9mm configuration.
 
I appreciate the input. I didn't realize the aluminum they used was an alloy. I guess I should have, knowing there are many different grades, which can only be done as an alloy.
Same as SS I guess ( regarding being an alloy)

SS is harder though.

Just to be very clear, this is for a 22lr. I would not attempt or expect it to work with stronger ammo. I have dedicated arms for larger ammo.

This is for when I want to shoot a lot of ammo and not break the bank.

I love shooting my 45, but the ammo is 4 to 5 times more expensive than readily available 22lr ( unless you poach at small mart) then 22 is even cheaper!!

I promise to post the slide pix and comparo soon

thank you

Rich
 
Kind of off topic but also kind of on topic as well.

I'm bitter towards any aluminum and steel combination.

Metals damage each other in a few ways. Metals of equal strength can damage each other, weaker metals (aluminum) can become damaged by stronger metals (steel) very easily without the stronger metal becoming damaged.

So, in theory. It's a bad idea... However, that's where lubricity comes into play. Lube / grease in between these metals is somewhat of a mediator. Microscopically separating the metals from damaging each other.

You don't have lube or have an out of spec slide or frame. You're done.
 
As you can see the AA has a small steel insert at the edge of the slide lock notch. You can also see that the AA kit has a tab on the magazine that will work to raise the slide lock, and lock the slide on the last shot.

The Kimber, does not reinforce the slide lock notch in any way, and simply does away with the magazine tab so the slide does not get moved up on the last shot.
If you simply use the AA mag with the Kimber kit, the slide will lock open. How long it would last, without a steel pin installed or a small piece of steel riveted in is anyones guess.

Like I said in a previous post, if I become very energetic, I may modify the Kimber slide, as I like their kit better.
 

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