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  #1  
Old 10-09-2010, 05:37 PM
ConditionOne ConditionOne is offline
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Red face Flame cutting on my S&W 13

Bought a S&W 13-3 on Gunbroker recently, and was discouraged to discover this:



I've read elsewhere that flame cutting does stop at a certain point,
and should not affect the top strap integrity. Please confirm this is so!

In any case, I plan to shoot nothing hotter in the future in her than +p's, and maybe an occasional 158 grain .357.

Last edited by ConditionOne; 10-09-2010 at 05:39 PM.
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Old 10-09-2010, 06:21 PM
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I don't know about the flame cutting stopping, but I had one that the cutting went to the edge of the frame and burned the bluing off on one side. I learned about a year ago, the hard way as I usually learn things, to ask about the finish, whether it has been re-finished or not. A photo off the frame at the top strap to check for cutting, and to ask if it has been drilled for an optical sight. A re-blued gun can mean that someone just wanted it to look nice, or to cover a bad cylider ring from use. Watch GB for those "AS IS" deals. That's how I got burned.
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Old 10-09-2010, 06:28 PM
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It will burn to a point and then quit. That is one way on the older guns to tell how much it was shot, even a reblue by a expert will still have a flame cut because it is to hard to take off.
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Old 10-10-2010, 12:39 AM
rodell rodell is offline
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You're fine. A limited amount of flame cutting will not impair the strength or longevity.
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Old 10-10-2010, 12:48 AM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
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As mentioned, flame cutting is self-limiting. I would not be concerned, especially with the usage that you have in mind for the revolver.
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Old 10-15-2010, 11:15 AM
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Unless you are going to poor a bunch a super vels through it it should last a life time. I think the model 13 and 19 got a bad deal when they first came out. 357 mag ammo 30 years ago were barn burners. They seem tamer today.

This is why you see L frames today. I have a 27 but miss my 19, which I traded for this very thing.

Last edited by JMusic; 10-15-2010 at 11:22 AM.
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Old 10-15-2010, 11:56 PM
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I am still waiting for somebody to post photos of a revolver (any revolver) in which flame cutting weakened the top strap to the point of creating a structural problem. Anybody?
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Old 10-16-2010, 12:13 AM
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the bad rap of the magnum K frames was not from flame cutting, as that happens to all the magnums.

the K frame magnum got its stigma because of the poorly designed forcing cone cracking at the "6 o'clock" position where it is cut thin on purpose to allow the cylinder to close with the yoke......the light weight high velocity .357 rounds were the culprits.
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Old 10-16-2010, 10:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 681ismyfavorite View Post
the bad rap of the magnum K frames was not from flame cutting, as that happens to all the magnums.

the K frame magnum got its stigma because of the poorly designed forcing cone cracking at the "6 o'clock" position where it is cut thin on purpose to allow the cylinder to close with the yoke......the light weight high velocity .357 rounds were the culprits.
My mistake, but in armour school they talked about the frame not being robust under full speed loads. Maybe they were talking about the forcing cone. I have never seen flame cutting to the point a revolver would be unsafe.
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Old 10-16-2010, 10:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMusic View Post
My mistake, but in armour school they talked about the frame not being robust under full speed loads. Maybe they were talking about the forcing cone. I have never seen flame cutting to the point a revolver would be unsafe.
hard to think the frame wasnt strong enough when the J frame magnums are smaller framed as is the Ruger sp101.....me thinks they were mistaken when they said "frames".
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Old 10-16-2010, 10:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 681ismyfavorite View Post
hard to think the frame wasn't strong enough when the J frame magnums are smaller framed as is the Ruger sp101.....me thinks they were mistaken when they said "frames".
We almost went to single sixes because of it. You do have a good point there. I have 3 of the 4 pistols you mentioned. I'll measure the top strap on each with calipers. I lack a 101. I'll do the forcing cones too. Give me a few days. I have a python and an N frame I'll do them too.


Jim

Last edited by JMusic; 10-16-2010 at 10:45 AM.
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Old 10-16-2010, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMusic View Post
We almost went to single sixes because of it. You do have a good point there. I have 3 of the 4 pistols you mentioned. I'll measure the top strap on each with calipers. I lack a 101. I'll do the forcing cones too. Give me a few days. I have a python and an N frame I'll do them too.


Jim
no need to measure the forcing cone, you can look at it and see the relief cut at the bottom.
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