I noticed that some of the just announced S&W 22's have aluminum cylinders. I don't know if smith has used aluminum cylinders on 22's before or not. What I'm interesting in is how servicable a gun these would be. The zinc 380's of years gone by didn't last all that long. Would aluminum cylinders in a 22 be expected to last?

I'm not sure how long they lasted, but S&W has used aluminum cylinders in the past on the 17 series. I know that started after the full lugged version became very popular. The ones that I have seen were of the ten shot variety.

S&W also used alum on the model 43 .22, which started in I believe 1955 or so.

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ken
SWCA #1959

Model 317 also.

How well do the aluminum cylinders hold up under heavy usage? If I were to get a 617 I would expect to put a huge number of rounds thru it. Do the ratchet faces wear quickly, and do they sleeve the cylinder for the center pin assembly? On a 317 I could see low to moderate round counts, but the 4"-6" 617's, 63's, heck even 34's seem like a perfect candidate for very high round counts due to the low cost of ammo and typical plinking enthusiasm.

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Hastings

hastings-

I clould be wrong, but I don't believe that the 617 ever came with an aluminum cylinder. From what I have read, the aluminum cylinders hold up fairly well. Aircraft grade aluminum is awfully strong stuff. I am not sure on the center pin bushing either, but it would make sense. Then again, aluminum has been used in high friction moving parts like gasoline lawn mower engines for a long time, whether it's an aluminum piston with a cast iron cylinder liner or the other way around.

In 1996, S&W introduced a 10 shot aluminum cylinder 617. This was the 617-2. Sales were so poor that they dropped the aluminum cylinder and brought back the stainless steel cylinder the next year. I suspect there were other issues with that aluminum cylinder to get Smith to drop it so quickly. Even with a hard anodized finish, aluminum is somewhat soft. I cannot imagine that the cylinder notches in an aluminum cylinder would not wear quickly when repeatedly being in contact with a steel cylinder stop. Perhaps they are trying this again with a plastic cylinder stop..........stranger things have happened!

I own a 317 and it has an aluminum cylinder. The ejector, ratchet surfaces and ejector rod are steel. I have not shot the 317 very much, yet I do not expect any longevity issues. Steel on steel with just a touch of lube is never a problem.

Keep on plinking.

I wish they would bring out a 22 revolver with a titanium cylinder. From my limited experience the titanium cylinder appear to be more resistent to peening of the cylinder stop notch than the stainless steel cylinders.

Well I just ordered a 43C so I guess I've eventually find out how well the aluminum cylinders work.

I have to disassemble my steel M17 frequently to clean the yoke barrel and cylinder group. 22 ammunition seems to be quite dirty and the build up in this area eventually locks the cylinder. I see some evidence of galling even on these steel to steel interfaces. I would think that Al on one or both of these areas would be a poor design in a gun which will be shot lot. Once you get dirt and debris imbedded in the AL, it’s very difficult to get it out.
The Alum to Iron interface in a engine (piston ring to cyl. wall) is a special case which took a lot of design work to get right.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

i have a 242 and 646 both have aluminium cylinders i like them

The M-242 and M-646 both have titanium cylinders, not aluminum.

Are these cylinders all Al or are they sleeved in steel?

When I purchased my Model 317, I searched the forum and found recommendations on ammo to use and not to use in aluminum cylinders. For some reason I cannot find them now, but IIRC I was advised to NOT use hot 22LR ammo in it. I would stick with standard velocity ammo unless you can find info to the contrary.

Aluminum cylinders make no sense to me. I've owned a few j-frames with alloy frame and stainless or carbon steel cylinders. My favorite airweight is the 637. As far as recoil with +p ammo, I decided a 640 all steel 357 was plenty light for carry but tamed +p and 357mag ammo more effectively (obviously the 637 won't take 357mag, but hot +p was on the edge of to much recoil for fast follow-up shots). As far as carry weight goes, I don't see the need for a lighter firearm than an airweight or airlite j-frame. My wife weights a little over 100lbs, and when she carried the 637 she often forgot she had it in her pocket. I'm pushing 275lbs, so an n-frame in my pocket is quite comfortable, let alone a j-frame. When I carried the 637, it was totally forgotten. I would frequently have to check my pocket to see if it was still in there (not advisable since it is a great way to get made as either a concealed weapon carrier, or a pervert).

In light of the airweight and airlite both pushing the limits of "to light", why add an aluminum cylinder when there doesn't seem to be any need to reduce weight especially at the expense of ammo selection and durability. These trends toward the two extremes (huge heavy hyper-magnums and featherweight firearms you can carry in your breast pocket) are starting to produce fireamrs that are absurd in my narrowminded medieval opinion.

I would think a j-frame airweight 22lr revolver with a nice durable steel cylinder capable of handling any 22lr ammo you wanted to feed it would be a nice little bug gun that would see lots of use on soda cans and pinecones. If you add the aluminum cylinder that might wear if you shoot to much, and which prevents you from using the hotter ammo, I feel you have suddenly created a finicky, near useless firearm. What's the point? Why not just make disposable plastic cylinders that are pre-charged with caseless ammo that are inserted into a top-break revolver that ejects the cylinder, not the cases. I say this to be absurd, not as an actual suggestion.

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Hastings

The 617 at the top of this picture only has about 3000 rounds through it. It's a real winner, and shoots as good or better than the other two K22's pictured from the 50's and 40's.

Ten-shots rule in .22! I only use standard velocity rounds in about 99% of my .22's, though. This 617 is very accurate; I keep wanting to put a red-dot on it but I'm afraid of ruining the balance. If the cylinder does ever have a problem, I'll just send it back for one made of steel.

One thing that has always puzzled me: If S&W made the aluminum cylinders to save weight, what was the purpose of putting it on the full-lug barrel Model 617 which weighs a ton? The underlug was put there to add weight! Seems counterproductive to me.