I thought all Single Sixes had alloy frames.
Howdy
Yes, steel is an alloy, meaning it is a metal composed of more than just one element. But in the gun world, ALLOY usually means aluminum.
I have three Single Sixes. They all have steel frames. A magnet sticks to them very nicely.
The tech blurb about the new Wrangler specifically states the frame is made of aluminum. It says Aluminum Alloy, because there are lots and lots of formulas for aluminum. I used to specify aluminum in parts drawings all the time. There are lots of different alloys of aluminum with various other metals added for strength or maintainability. One of the most common is Aluminum 6061, which has some magnesium and silicon added.
I don't understand why/how an aluminum alloy frame is significantly less expensive than a steel frame.
Because aluminum is cheaper to machine than steel. Aluminum is a fairly soft metal and can be machined at a faster rate than steel. Time is money in a machine shop, so less time spent machining the metal means less cost to manufacture. In addition, machining steel wears the cutters faster than aluminum so that is another cost savings when machining aluminum instead of steel.
Zamack would be cheaper, and is entirely adequate for a .22.
Perish the thought. Zamak is a trade name for a family of zinc based alloys. Another name for zinc alloys is Cheap Pot Metal. Perish the thought that Ruger would stoop to using zinc alloys.
Steel grip frames are available from Brownells for Ruger pistols, but just a bare grip frame costs as much as some used forearms.
That is because you are buying them retail, one at a time. Produced in mass, a steel grip frame would be much less expensive. Ruger has been using steel grip frames for the Vaqueros since the beginning.
The front of the cylinder shows rings around the mouth of each chamber. Clicking on the spec sheet, I see that Ruger says the cylinder and frame are aluminum alloy. Does this mean that the cylinder is made of aluminum, and the chambers are steel sleeves pressed into the aluminum cylinder?
I think what you are seeing in that photo is carbon rings around the chamber mouths. I kind of doubt Ruger is going to go to the expense of pressing separate steel chambers into a cylinder. That would drive the cost up. Ruger has state of the art CNC machining capability and I suspect it is less expensive to machine a cyinder form solid steel instead of pressing in sleeves for the chambers.
Well on the plus side ruger will finally have adjustable chamber throats yay!
????
It looks to me like they rebuilt an old Single Six .22 LR with a new aluminum frame alloy.
I don't think so. Take a look at the side of a Single Six hammer. Notice it is completely flat. Then look at the photos of the Wrangler hammer. Notice there is a cut out on the side. There is also a groove up the backside of the hammer. I have not handled a wrangler yet, so I do not know the purpose of that cut out and groove, but to me it is clearly not a Single Six hammer.
Frankly guys, I think the cost cutting in the new Wrangler will come from the fact that the frame is aluminum, saving cost over a steel frame, and the Cerakote finish is much cheaper than putting a high polish on steel and then bluing it, or simply putting a high polish on Stainless Steel.
