Commander Fan
New member
One of my co-workers was along while I ordered a new S&W 340PD on Tuesday. While giving him a little description of the design--trying to describe what makes them so light(and costly)--I brought up the fact it uses stainless-steel internal componants. He asked, "If they're trying to make it so light, why not use titanium in place of the steel parts also".
Thinking I knew what I was talking about, I stated that titanium is usually considered more 'brittle' than steel, and that given the same mass, is not as stong as steel.
Being an all-out NHRA drag racer, he quicky said, "BS...half my moter is built with titanium parts, including valves and valve-springs. Many of the 'high-dollar' competitors are running Ti axle-shafts and other drive componants. It is by NO means brittle, and is VERY strong."
Well, I was stumped. I had heard all the bad reports of Ti 1911 ejectors and extractors breaking due to their 'brittleness'.
So why doesn't S&W use titanium throughout? I'm just wondering what the metalurgists(self-practicing or other) here think.
BTW-This is my second AirLight model, with the first being the 342PD(.38+P). Of course, I traded it to finance my Kimber Pro Eclipse, and have missed it ever since. I got the chance to fire the 340PD version(scandium alloyed .357) on DPMS's newly aquired range last weekend and loved it. I put 3 cylinders of the .357 158gr Blazer through it before the owner made me give it back. Mine is expected to arrive on Wednesday. I've already replenished my .38/.357 supply, and dug out my old J-frame speedloaders and holster. Can't wait!
Oh ya, it was $579 for the 340PD, but I paid $40 more for the 342PD when it first came out.
Advanced thanks for any information on the usage of metals.
Thinking I knew what I was talking about, I stated that titanium is usually considered more 'brittle' than steel, and that given the same mass, is not as stong as steel.
Being an all-out NHRA drag racer, he quicky said, "BS...half my moter is built with titanium parts, including valves and valve-springs. Many of the 'high-dollar' competitors are running Ti axle-shafts and other drive componants. It is by NO means brittle, and is VERY strong."
Well, I was stumped. I had heard all the bad reports of Ti 1911 ejectors and extractors breaking due to their 'brittleness'.
So why doesn't S&W use titanium throughout? I'm just wondering what the metalurgists(self-practicing or other) here think.
BTW-This is my second AirLight model, with the first being the 342PD(.38+P). Of course, I traded it to finance my Kimber Pro Eclipse, and have missed it ever since. I got the chance to fire the 340PD version(scandium alloyed .357) on DPMS's newly aquired range last weekend and loved it. I put 3 cylinders of the .357 158gr Blazer through it before the owner made me give it back. Mine is expected to arrive on Wednesday. I've already replenished my .38/.357 supply, and dug out my old J-frame speedloaders and holster. Can't wait!
Oh ya, it was $579 for the 340PD, but I paid $40 more for the 342PD when it first came out.
Advanced thanks for any information on the usage of metals.