Chamber cleaning and wear of aluminum cylinder?

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ruger22
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Chamber cleaning and wear of aluminum cylinder?

Post by ruger22 » Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:33 pm

I'm considering a S&W 317 (.22LR Air Lite). It's mostly aluminum with a stainless barrel liner. The cylinder is aluminum, and it dawned on me to wonder how you'd clean the chambers?

It seems a brass brush would roughen them? A nylon brush might eventually do harm. I'm also wondering how the pin hole and cylinder notches would wear. I'm not optimistic.

Anyone ever have an aluminum cylinder to deal with?
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

greener

Post by greener » Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:17 am

I don't think a nylon brush would cause any significant wear. If you were concerned about wear, a bore snake or tight cleaning patch, with solvent ought to provide enough cleaning to remove the build up in the cylinders.

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Post by ruger22 » Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:04 am

The LCR-22 is still my lead contender, just being Ruger. S&W's main point was making the 317 light, but an aluminum cylinder is a bit extreme. Stainless wouldn't add more than a couple ounces. The 317's barrel liner looks to be only half as thick as the LCR's, too.

I remember S&W's first aluminum cylinders were back in the 50's (or 60's?) for the Air Force survival packs. Colt made a few as well. They were only intended for limited use, though in that case it was with .38 Special.

It would seem that neither of the two top revolver makers think a stainless .22 snub would sell.
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

greener

Post by greener » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:15 pm

The LCR 22 compliments the LCR. If you want a stainless Ruger, your only choice is the S…101. The 317 is a cheaper version of the 617. Doesn't seem all that much less expensive. Since it shoots .22, I guess it would take years to wear out the cylinder short of steel brushes or beating on it. Al frames (steel cylinders) aren' all that uncommonb and are pretty sturdy.

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Post by Biggjimm » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:06 pm

I was at one of the LGS in my area yesterday & after reading this post I was checking out a 317 & the owner claims that the cylinder on that gun was made out of a new magnesium alloy called AZ91 & not aluminum??? It's reported to be 40% stronger & 50% lighter than AL & it does not burn like magnesium & it is supposed to be no more expensive than AL. I personally don't know which alloy the cylinder is made of but this AZ91 sounds like it could make firearms quite a bit lighter without the added expense of other light weight materials like titanium.
In youth we learn,
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Post by ruger22 » Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:35 pm

S&W website says aluminum frame and cylinder.

No matter for me anymore. Bit the bullet and got an LCR-357 yesterday. Posted in Handgun forum.
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

greener

Post by greener » Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:29 pm

I don't know if you are better off with something bigger and badder than a .22 for SD, but you feel better :lol:

Enjoy. Next you will be thinking you need an LCR 22 as a practice gun :lol:

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Post by ruger22 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:05 pm

greener wrote:I don't know if you are better off with something bigger and badder than a .22 for SD, but you feel better :lol:

Enjoy. Next you will be thinking you need an LCR 22 as a practice gun :lol:
I know I'm better off with the LCR. Three extra shots would not make a Bobcat equal to the LCR. The Occaisionally Better Half even made the suggestion that I should get something "that will do the job". I never thought I'd hear her say anything like that...... :shock:

Having not shot much but .22 in the last 30 years, I expect the first LCR range trip to be an adventure.

The LCR was designed for carry, so the .22 version is kind of a contradiction. I'm happy with my Bearcats and Mark III for .22 fun.
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

greener

Post by greener » Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:12 pm

ruger22 wrote:
greener wrote:I don't know if you are better off with something bigger and badder than a .22 for SD, but you feel better :lol:

Enjoy. Next you will be thinking you need an LCR 22 as a practice gun :lol:
I know I'm better off with the LCR. Three extra shots would not make a Bobcat equal to the LCR. The Occaisionally Better Half even made the suggestion that I should get something "that will do the job". I never thought I'd hear her say anything like that...... :shock:

Having not shot much but .22 in the last 30 years, I expect the first LCR range trip to be an adventure.

The LCR was designed for carry, so the .22 version is kind of a contradiction. I'm happy with my Bearcats and Mark III for .22 fun.
Carry the biggest, baddest .357 you can find.




And after you shoot a box of cheaper, target load .38's, shoot one of the .357's so you know what it feels like.

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Post by blue68f100 » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:26 am

Even having the gun loaded with 357mag you probably will never notice it if you were every required to use it. Your addrelen will be so high.
David

SS MKIII 6 7/8" Fluted Hunter. Mueller Quick Shot, Bushnell 2x Scope, Hogue Rubber Grips
Custom Built 1911

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Post by ruger22 » Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:33 am

greener wrote:
Carry the biggest, baddest .357 you can find.

And after you shoot a box of cheaper, target load .38's, shoot one of the .357's so you know what it feels like.
In my previous shooting days, I've had a 4 inch Security-Six, a snub Speed-Six, and a snub Charter Undercover. After about thirty years, shooting even .38 will be a change, but I think after the first few rounds it'll be like old times. I have shot a few in other people's guns over those years. I never did enjoy .357.

Seventeen ounces is really light for a .357, but Ruger claims the recoil is very manageable. I'll see how the Hogue "Tamer" grip lives up to its name.
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

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