ALUMINUM Revolver FRAME Rubbish? v SCANDIUM Brilliance?:

 Wow .. The .22 Rimfire BB Cap was introduced way back in 1845 (that's 181 years ago, doesn't time fly?) in France by L-N Flobert and S&W introduced the 'Short' into America twelve years later in 1854-57. - I guess you might say that both the .22 "Short"  and "Long" rimfire cartridges were for use in handguns, while the .22 Long Rifle was focused for Rifle use.

                     Flobert 'BB Cap'              Short                          Long                 Long Rifle

'TWO-TWOS'

These early rimfires used BLACKPOWDER propellant and it wasn't until the 1920's that "Smokeless" powders completely replaced Blackpowder & semi-Blackpowder loadings. These names are modern usage .. they wouldn't have called the 'short' cartridge 'SHORT' until the "Long" was developed eh.

Other, larger rimfire cartridges were used back in the day - right up to 56-50 and the .56-56 Spencer blackpowder rimfire cartridge that had a big part during the American Civil War.

56-50 compared to .22 L.R.

You might say that the development of the more powerful SMOKELESS PROPELLANTS (Nitro based) ended the larger rimfire rounds - because rimfire brass needs to be thin and malleable for the firing pin to crush at the rim, and that leads to case ruptures in the bigger calibers when powerful smokeless propellents are loaded. - Centerfire cases can be as thick and strong as you need.

I just read an online story about what a bargain unsung hero the old Hi-Standard Sentinal 22 L.R. revolver can be .. link:

https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/rifles/overlooked-rimfires-gem/

Aluminum framed Sentinal revolvers are decent quality and perform fine with the low recoil rimfire cartridges.

Earlier I have watched "James Teeth Reeves" of TFB TV flashing on/off while advertising S&W Revolvers - including their marvellous SCANDIUM FRAMED hi-tech airweight models.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNFuaBm-s2w

NOW .. It would be rude of me - not to mention remiss - NOT to point-out that so called ultra-lightweight SCANDIUM is a very high priced metal alloy of ALUMINUM mixed with as little as 0.1 % scandium metal.

A PIG OF A THING To Shoot .. But it IS light to Carry:

However - that small percentage of scandium alloyed into aluminum does greatly increase the tensile strength of that alloy, so that when used in a revolver frame with proper design, the lightweight revolver can withstand recoil forces from firing 357 Magnum cartridges. - BUT the same may not be claimed for the shooter, whose hands will be painfully stung and whose Intrinsic and Extrinsic CARPAL LIGAMENTS may well suffer permanent injury. 

Gawd help anyone suffering from arthritis ..

I ought point-out that other modern aluminum alloys are also well suited for use in firearm actions when properly tested and designed .. but my preferred choice would be full weight stainless steel alloys due to their resistance to corrosion coupled with the capability of scratches and dings to be removed with careful 'sanding'. - A fine example here might be the stainless Ruger Old Army 44 Percussion revolver that uses it's mass to gently handle the heavier charges ..

Here's One I Polished Earlier .. My Favorite Ruger Old Army:

I love this big gun despite it having been scratched, dinged and corroded, and with a bent cylinder Pin when sold to me over the phone "as unfired, new condition" by Auckland branch Gun City.

I've owned three ROA's .. but, are these properly classed as .44's or .45's ?? - Either way they are lovely to shoot loaded with 35 grains of black powder.

Are You Fit and Proper? 

Are NZ Police 'FIT AND PROPER PERSONS'? - SEVEN Police Commissioners have retired/resigned in disgrace - The Executive Director of the FIREARMS SAFETY AGENCY The Firearms Register has "retired" - so should we now expect things to improve?

 Immaginative President of NZ Police Association - Detective Inspector CAHILL has "stood down"  AND RETIRED FROM THE SERVICE ..  

- NOW Police Commissioner CHAMBERS is the EIGHTH Senior Police Administrator subject to investigation. 

- In the interest of Public Safety -

FIREARMS LICENCES FOR NZ POLICE.

Marty K.