S@W Titanium

[fightingquaker13]

OK, Haz's question about a shrouded hammer Smith J frame got me to thinking. I've blown hot and cold on buying one for years. More cold than hot, as 15 years later and I still don't own one, but still..... Several years ago, they were very proud of a titanium series of revolvers. Very light, but very pricy. I haven't heard anything about them in quite awhile. On paper (minus the price tag) they looked great. Does anyone have any input? Likewise I would be interested in opinions of steel versus aluminium or titanium. Lets accept that steel is more durable. Assume we're talking seldom shot, across the room combat accuraccy, carry weapons. What are your thoughts?
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

The price of Titanium tripled.
Scandium or aluminum ?
A while back I heard some one who should know better, I think it was a Co. President on a podcast, mention a future "Magnesium" pistol. I never heard any more about that.    

Like to have had sunglasses for the test firing        

[TAB]

The price of Titanium tripled.
Scandium or aluminum ?
A while back I heard some one who should know better, I think it was a Co. President on a podcast, mention a future "Magnesium" pistol. I never heard any more about that.    

Like to have had sunglasses for the test firing        

LOL...  I can assume he ment some alloy of aluminum that had a bunch of magnesium in it.    I personaly don't like that idea.  Every one I'm sure has heard of "mag wheels"( the really ones)  unlike other alloys of aluminum, they tend to crack, rather then bend.  Not a good thing in a pistol.

[ellis4538]

I have a older 642 that is not rated for +P...bear to shoot with hotter .38 spl. loadings!  Wouldn't want to shoot +P's.  I'm not necessarily recoil sensitive BUT...I like to practice with something I might carry.  Grips are wrong "FOR ME".  Changed them out for something different.  Might look for laser grips but $$$ is tight.

FWIW

Richard

[DDMac]

Mornin' FQ. I have 4 J frames going back to steel in the 50's, stainless, titanium (.22LR) and a Heller Commemorative in alloy. The trigger pull has gotten heavier, probably due to lawyers, and prompted me to have the Heller lightened by a gunsmith. Carries in a front or back pocket well and will poke Osama's eyes out at 25 yards although I admit to slow fire and Crimson Trace grips. +P? Hurts to practice much, so I usually just practice with range ammo and run one hot cylinder full through at the end.

Utterly reliable. Unlike any of the micro 9's I have owned or tried.

Mac.

[Sponsor]

[DonWorsham]

I have a S&W 342ti which replaced my 642 (the wife took it). This is my carry gun around the house (I have stopped carrying the Kel-Tec P3AT around the house as it needs to be cleaned too much and I am lazy). I shoot this gun well with +P ammo. I use to shoot it alot when it was my EDC (carry a Glock 26 now).

I changed the grips on my other 3 J-frames (two from Taurus and the 642) for a "better" hold. But the original grip on 342ti is "perfect" for me for some reason.

I will have to check the weight when I get home tonight but I want to say the 342ti weights in at 13oz loaded?.

UPDATE: the 342Ti weights in at 13.65 ounces loaded on my scale.

[JdePietro]

If the decision were mine I would look to the Scandium line of snubbies. Scandium displays all of the properties of Titainium, is cheaper to produce and more restiant to cracking and shattering. Most of what S&W turns out is a blend and the Scandium blend is more Scandium than anything else so you get a true-er alloy. I have carried a Scandium 1911 for the better part of 3 years and I can't be happier. Also the melonite finish is a big plus.

Remember that alumnium alloys must have a hard anodized coating on the outside or they will dent and ding. Once that coating wears off you have a soda can waiting to be destroyed. I believe Titainium has the same coating but I could be wrong. Neither allow can produce the rockwell rating scandium can. 

[m25operator]

I have owned several model 38 S&W's, police trade ins, not new, and they have served me well, J frame .38 spl, shoots surprisingly well, not just across the room but 15 - 25 yrds with 158 grn bullets, the newer ones shoot point of aim with the 125 grn bullets, scandium is great, but are expensive, look for humpback trade ins. Look at it well for wear, but they are mostly good pistols, as they are not the most fun to shoot, so even if it is 15 yrs old, it was probably carried often and shot seldom.

[twyacht]

Scandium, that's the component I was trying to remember....

Thank you m25.