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  #1  
Old 03-05-2011, 09:09 PM
swampersand swampersand is offline
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Default Prevent Flame Cutting ?

I did a cursory search and found nothing on this subject.

Has anyone experimented with using a thin shim stock piece between the forcing cone and top strap to prevent flame cutting during load development or when shooting hotter loads? It would seem like a decent idea to reduce the top strap wear when shooting a higher pressure load.
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Old 03-05-2011, 11:14 PM
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I have never tried to prevent flame cutting, because it has never really presented a major problem. On some of my 357 Magnums that have been shot a lot with full power loads, there is F/C but not enough to affect the gun. As others have stated in other posts on this Forum, after a while it will reach only so deep, and seems to not go any further. Therefore because it is something that is acceptable and does not seem to cause any harm (except of course a visible line) I have not really had a desire to seek out a preventative. I look at it the same way I look at the line on the cylinder - it is just a characteristic of a S&W Revolver.

I suppose that if you could find a way to secure a thin shim to the top strap it might help, although I would think that something thin enough as not to interfere with the proper functioning of the cylinder it would quickly get F/C through itself. Basically becoming more trouble than it is worth and not worth the effort.

Hope that helps..........

Chief38
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Old 03-06-2011, 12:58 AM
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Flame cutting starts when new and then stops. It won't get worse.

Here is my 44 magnum that was rebuilt a few times. The flame cutting on the top strap is no worse than 20 years ago.

Unless your shooting an alumium frame, don't worry yourself over flame cutting.

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Old 03-06-2011, 01:06 AM
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I know the scandium frames will hurt more from it so they put a stainless steel piece into the frame. They mill the frame just a bit and the stainless piece seems to be spring clipped in place. I have seen 19's that have a dished out section in the bottom of the topstrap I assume to give added space for the hot gas to vent and dissipate before causing flame cutting. I'm sure either approach could be duplicated by a good gunsmith. I fully recognize that it will only get so bad and then stop, but it is unsightly. In a stuffy way it feels disgraceful to just dismiss a permanent scar in such fine looking revolvers. My guns aren't tools to hammer nails, they are just as much objects of art as much as they are shooters.
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Old 03-06-2011, 01:44 AM
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I agree that flame cutting does no real harm, but I also agree with those who find a flame cut to be an unappealing thing to look at. I would guess a stainless steel shim and some contact adhesive would prevent the cut if you couldn't deal with it.
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Old 03-06-2011, 03:07 AM
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Flame cutting seems most prevalent with hot loads using light bullets. As others have said, it usually goes a certian depth, then stops.

Larry
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Old 03-07-2011, 04:34 PM
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Thank you all for the responses. It looks as though I won't worry about it unless I am messing around with load development using more aggressive loads. The consensus seems pretty clear, don't worry about it unless it is cosmetically a problem. The second thing I have gained from your responses is that there is no technical downside to trying a well fit shim during those times that cutting might be encountered on the range. Clearly, in a carry gun you don't want mud flaps and fox tails complicating or compromising a critical tool.
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Old 03-07-2011, 09:24 PM
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Just stay away from the 110 and 125 grain bullets (use 158 grainer's) and you won't have an issue .
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Old 07-09-2011, 08:08 AM
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meh.

Only once a virgin.

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Old 07-09-2011, 11:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swampersand View Post
Thank you all for the responses. It looks as though I won't worry about it unless I am messing around with load development using more aggressive loads. The consensus seems pretty clear, don't worry about it unless it is cosmetically a problem. The second thing I have gained from your responses is that there is no technical downside to trying a well fit shim during those times that cutting might be encountered on the range. Clearly, in a carry gun you don't want mud flaps and fox tails complicating or compromising a critical tool.
The downside is that improperly retained, a shim could become a projectile with the potential to injure you or bystanders. Be cautious and watch for the shim to move between shots until you have some history using your homemade version.
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