I want to get a SW revolver built for PPC use and have begun my search for a Model 64/67 since the builder I was planning on using...uses stainless barrels.

he told me what to look for in finding a suitable gun for a build other than the obvious seen by the eye.

*see if a range svc rod drops in all 6 cylinder holes (range rod OTW!)
*and make sure the center pin hole in the frame is not egg shaped.

there are two Model 64s at a local gun smith.....one is super clean....likely hardly shot in the box and the other is rougher and with a big price difference.

of course the rougher 64 does show some egg shaping to the center pin hole. this egg shaping got me to wondering.

I bought me an older 1980s built Model 14 PPC gun as my starter gun. I cannot begin to guess how many cylinder opening and closing this gun has had....but there is no egg shaping to the center pin hole in the frame. also, I have seen cylinder stop notches in both well worn cylinders in both carbon and stainless steel guns. stainless always seem to be peened over developing an edge.

I live in south Texas (high humidty and hot temps, always sweaty at matches) and I thought the stainless guns will be more friendly toward my environment.

Obviously carbon steel holds up better than stainless when it comes to gun frames and the opening and closing of cylinders or stop notches....

so I am looking for the wrong gun in the area of longevity?

I did not want a Pinto but if a carbon steel Model 14/15 will hold up better for the next 20+ years (hehehehe) should I go that route and either deal with a Pinto or find me a builder who uses carbon PPC barrels?

your opinions are welcomed.

I've had both and believe it is just up to personal preference.

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

I have both stainless and a "pinto" style, both built by the same guy. Have had no problem with either being affected by rust and my carbon steel frame has been shot during a hurricane in Jackson, MS. Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep either running strong for years. As Palmetto SS stated it is a personal preference thing. Sometimes the all stainless gun will really reflect the sun and I pretty much smoke the entire bacl of the frame to cut the glare while the blued frame doesn't have that issue.

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Non illegitimae carborundum

I guess I need to find me a suitable gun at a decent price that is not beat up.

thanks guys

The stainless guns do appear to wear more than the carbon steel guns in long term usage.

Being a senior citizen, I recall when the center pin hole in the breech had a bushing that was replacable when worn. Yet another casualty of rising prices. I expect that one could go that route if necessary, but tooling costs might exceed the price differences in base guns.

Stainless wins for me. A number of reasons.

1. Cleaning is easier, as carbon, and fouling stands out easier, and the pores of the Stainless barrel will be smaller than Carbon steel and hold less fouling.

2. Rust. Whilst I clean and lube all my stainless gun, as I do my blued guns, during a big day on a range in high humidity, and sweat can cause surface rust on a blued gun as opposed a stainless one.

3.Wear.A well fitted and tuned K frame will have negligible wear characteristics. Its frame will be trued, pins paralleled, crane ball lock fitted, and springs de tuned, to minimise wear, but also making the action slicker.

4. Looks. lets face it they just look better in stainless as a PPC style rig!!

Cheers,

Aussie D

on this note, I have recently purchased a S&W 360J. I was wondering how to tell the difference between a blackened stainless cylinder vs the carbon steel cylinder. Thanks in advance.