Why am I not happy with alloy frames?

[Trinidad Bill]

Granted, I am relatively new to the S&W semi auto game.

I just purchased a 6906 and while I like the size the pistol I just do not like the alloy frame. I don't like the look, especially the older dogs with wear, and I don't like the feel. The frame always looks different and just looks like a point of failure and wear. Although I am sure I would never wear one out.

This is my second alloy frame, I also have a 439 and feel the same about it.

Conversely I have a 5906, 4006, 4506, and 1006 all stainless. I love their look, feel, and shootability. They will be shooting for my grandchildren's children.

Am I missing something? Do these alloy frames grow on you?


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[sheepdawg]

Do these alloy frames grow on you?

Like a tumor said the 915 owner.

 

[DocB]

They don't grow on me! Acceptable for a utility gun, but nothing I would keep for the grandkids.

 

[trailmix]

I don't have a problem with alloy frames. I own alloy framed guns (915,4013TSW) as well as stainless (639, 5906,4006) and I enjoy both types equally.

 

[KSDeputy]

I have carried a CS45 for over 20 years. Qualified with it many times. I feel quite comfortable with it. I bought it new and it still looks and functions that way.

 

[regalsc]

If one doesn't like alloy frames I can imagine what they think of plastic frames. At least alloy is metal.

 

[gwpercle]

No , things like this don't grow on you. You like or dislike things based on no reasonable explanation. I like Chevy cars, always have , always will...don't know why.
Alloy frames are lighter , that's about it. They don't look better or wear better as an all steel.
Bottom line ...if you don't like them , stop trying to talk yourself into liking them...that usually doesn't work.
I have an old 1971 made Ruger Blackhawk , the aluminum alloy grip frame and ejector rod housing look like 5 miles of bad road , she is still accurate as all get out , rugged and dependable , so I just accept the fact it's ugly , reload mass quantities of ammo for her and go to the range together.
Sometimes , if you really like the way a gun shoots , you have to overlook a cosmetic flaw or two. This was my first 357 magnum and it's special to me, worn and ugly like I am now.
Gary

 

[TTSH]

I just purchased a 6906 and while I like the size the pistol I just do not like the alloy frame. I don't like the look, especially the older dogs with wear, and I don't like the feel. The frame always looks different and just looks like a point of failure and wear. Although I am sure I would never wear one out.

This is my second alloy frame, I also have a 439 and feel the same about it.

Conversely I have a 5906, 4006, 4506, and 1006 all stainless. I love their look, feel, and shootability. They will be shooting for my grandchildren's children.

Am I missing something? Do these alloy frames grow on you?

Oh, I feel your pain... ... at least in regard to the anodized aluminum frame cosmetic wear issue. Nothing drives me more crazy than finding an aluminum-framed 3rd Gen that I want to add to the collection... only to find that the aluminum frame is worn down to the gosh-darned bone.

Shall I give you a list of how many I've turned down just because of that?

I'm not a Cerakote or otherwise painted gun kind of guy, so that's not a good option for me. Full factory-type refinishing (professional prep work and re-anodizing) is certainly possible, but risky and costly. Some of the slightly more exotic refinishing approaches might work well and look great, but again... cost is a big factor. So is the eventual resale value of a "refinished gun" after my 4 remaining "good years" are up.

So my solution? I only buy aluminum-framed 3rd Gens that have pristine perfect "as-new" frames. The color variations we see over the many years don't really bother me. In the end, the lower weight is usually a plus for me. The all-stainless guns are great in the sense that you can almost always make them look like brand spanking new... ... but too many of the 3rd Gens I collect only came with aluminum frames and I am not about to give up collecting my smaller favorites.

 

[colt_saa]

Alloy frames have their place. They drop the weight for carry guns, but I agree usually they are not pretty. You do not need to worry about failure due to the frame being alloy. Alloy frames have proven themselves in the many, many decades they have been in use.

As far as I can recall, there is only 1 all steel compact autoloader from Smith and Wesson and it came out of the Performance Center. I am refering to the 3566 Compact

The 3566 Compact is the same size as your 6906 but heavier. Magazines are interchangeable between the two firearms

When the 3566 Compacts were in production, you could send your firearm in to the Performance Center and they would fit a 9MM barrel to it. This gave you the option of shooting 9MM Parabellum or the much more powerful 356TSW

 

[Arik]

I rarely ever see the frame on any gun. It's either holstered or I'm looking through the sights.

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[kenny brooks]

Don't like them don't buy them..carried 5904 for yrs no problem... Better than Tupperware..

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[silentflyer]

Make mine a 1911 or Browning HP.....or wheel gun made with steel....

 

[Trinidad Bill]

Alloy frames have their place. They drop the weight for carry guns, but I agree usually they are not pretty. You do not need to worry about failure due to the frame being alloy. Alloy frames have proven themselves in the many, many decades they have been in use.

As far as I can recall, there is only 1 all steel compact autoloader from Smith and Wesson and it came out of the Performance Center. I am refering to the 3566 Compact

The 3566 Compact is the same size as your 6906 but heavier. Magazines are interchangeable between the two firearms

When the 3566 Compacts were in production, you could send your firearm in to the Performance Center and they would fit a 9MM barrel to it. This gave you the option of shooting 9MM Parabellum or the much more powerful 356TSW

That PC 3566 is very nice! I'm sure I will play heck trying to find one.

At least I know now that I do not prefer the alloy frame. And now thanks to all of you... short of full size models, and they all have alloy frames...except that nice PC 3566!

 

[Chubbo]

Alloy frames

Granted, I am relatively new to the S&W semi auto game.

I just purchased a 6906 and while I like the size the pistol I just do not like the alloy frame. I don't like the look, especially the older dogs with wear, and I don't like the feel. The frame always looks different and just looks like a point of failure and wear. Although I am sure I would never wear one out.

This is my second alloy frame, I also have a 439 and feel the same about it.

Conversely I have a 5906, 4006, 4506, and 1006 all stainless. I love their look, feel, and shootability. They will be shooting for my grandchildren's children.

Am I missing something? Do these alloy frames grow on you?


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Bill,
Your observations, and feelings reflect mine. I only have two handguns with alloy frames, a S&W Mod. 38 bodyguard, and a Colt lightweight .45 Officers mod. 1911. I consider both to be defensive weapons, not to be shot a lot as recreation type guns. I do consider them to be adequate for their limited, defensive job, and use them accordingly. Most folks don't think of them in this way, but I do, and it sounds as tho you do also.

 

[Sevens]

I don't like them either -- but for me, it's the look. So the black ones are fine, it's the odd shade of silver that doesn't match well with a stainless upper and in many cases seems to take on an almost "yellowed" appearance.

My 39 and 39-2's are prized possessions, even my "beater 39-2" that was an Israeli service re-import. That pistol looks extremely used but I like that look. A 915 or any of the other black/aluminum frame 3rd Gens is good as well.

But I agree, I don't care for the silvery colored aluminum frame pistols.

 

[Trinidad Bill]

I don't like them either -- but for me, it's the look. So the black ones are fine, it's the odd shade of silver that doesn't match well with a stainless upper and in many cases seems to take on an almost "yellowed" appearance.



My 39 and 39-2's are prized possessions, even my "beater 39-2" that was an Israeli service re-import. That pistol looks extremely used but I like that look. A 915 or any of the other black/aluminum frame 3rd Gens is good as well.



But I agree, I don't care for the silvery colored aluminum frame pistols.

You hit on it, the "yellowed" appearance. It just looks off colored.



Here is the 6906. From the photo it does not look that bad, but you can tell there is a difference.

 

[trailmix]

Just send me all of your alloy-framed Smiths and you won't have to worry about it anymore.

 

[Tom S.]

I can't do anything about the look and feel, as that's entirely a personal issue and matter of tastes. However for the wear factor, I will offer this: I use a thin coating of grease on the rails and any locking lugs / barrel wear areas rather than oil. It goes a long way to help protect these surfaces, especially on alloy against steel or alloy against stainless steel contact points. Doesn't matter much what kind of grease as long as it's something light and designed with guns in mind. I even use it on my plastic guns that have just a few points of contact.

 

[ladder13]

Then you probably would faint seeing this one, TTSH too. I just picked it up recently, bruised and battered but still chuggling along.

no safe queen

 

[TTSH]

I don't like them either -- but for me, it's the look. So the black ones are fine, it's the odd shade of silver that doesn't match well with a stainless upper and in many cases seems to take on an almost "yellowed" appearance.

You hit on it, the "yellowed" appearance. It just looks off colored. Here is the 6906. From the photo it does not look that bad, but you can tell there is a difference.

Oh Lordy! Come on guys! Please tell me you're not serious here!

If you happen to prefer black/blued pistols, that's fine. Or if you happen to prefer all-stainless for the heft and strength, that's great too. But you are honestly going to tell me that you reject all of the bright anodized aluminum frame 3rd Gens just because the color of the frame doesn't always match the stainless steel slide perfectly??? Holy cow!

And here I take an awful ribbing from some members of Team 3rd Gen on the issue of cosmetic appearance just because I like my 3rd Gens looking clean and "as-new" rather than the proverbial "used and abused" beat-to-heck look!

Different strokes for different folks I guess. Frame cosmetic damage that can't easily be repaired *does* bother me... a whole lot, in fact... but the slight color mismatch bother me? Never!!!