Ti Cylinder Charging Holes, Normal?

[scruffy]

These are the charging holes of a new 360PD Ti cylinder. It has approximately 200 rounds of .38, .38+P and 15 .357's though it.

My concern is the spotting in the back of the holes, not evident at all looking in from the front. Cleaning has been done with M-Pro 7 and a nylon brush as recommended by S&W. Nothing removes the staining. The spots are not etched and are glassy smooth like the rest of the surface. Gun shoots great and shells don't stick on ejection. Outside of the cylinder looks as new.

Any Ti owners, input about if this is normal or not (my first and only Airlite revolver) is appreciated.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Macinaw]

This is what my 340 PD looks like after 100 rounds of .38 Special 120 gn LNFP Steel Challenge loads.

[Macinaw]

It was cleaned with Rem Oil and a Bore Snake.

[Macinaw]

Here is the chamber shot of a 327 Sc. No "spots" just brownish discoloration. As long as you can chamber and eject smoothly; I wouldn't worry about it.

[rwsmith]

What is the cause of that? Something akin to tarnish? It can't be too bad if it doesn't mess with the metal. Three things I know about Ti is it's hard, it's a bear to machine and it can take a LOT of heat. They've improved the working of it and the cylinders pictured here all look like they've been very well made.

[TucsonMTB]

Fools rush in . . . that would be me!

I believe the dark grey, almost black, finish of the front and rear surfaces and the insides of the charging holes of the S&W Titanium cylinders is some type of anodizing.

We have three revolvers with Titanium cylinders, all of which have been fired several hundred rounds with both commercial and hand loaded ammunition.

All three have some discoloration on the inner surfaces of the charge holes. One has a single, small, irregular dark spot in only one charge hole. One has lighter brownish "stains" primarily on the surfaces closest to the center of the cylinder of all the charge holes. The third has dark brown stains that appear to be located in the areas of all five charge holes that get the most smokey residue when firing light 38 special loads.

All of the surfaces, stained or not, are glossy smooth and none have been cleaned with harsh chemicals, although I do occasionally use a bronze brush.

I have read several gun articles commenting that the "coating" S&W applies to these surfaces is a form of anodizing.

I know that, commercially, most anodizing, especially of aluminum, is applied to create a surface that can be dyed to various colors.

So, it makes sense to my simple mind that the dark spots and lighter stains are all staining of the relatively porous layer of anodized Titanium and no cause for alarm.

In any event, since all of mine were purchased new and all exhibit these stains to a greater or lesser degree, but still function perfectly after hundreds of rounds fired, I am not going to worry about it.

Remember, Your Mileage May Vary and that I am NOT a gunsmith.

[Nemo288]

I have never understood why S&W needs to coat the inside of their titanium chambers.
Especially with something you are not even supposed to use a brass brush on.
The titanium itself may be harder than most gun steel.
I know the cylinder stop notches are not dinged from DA shooting and practice the way my steel ones are.
I have a brand new, unused, never been put on a gun, cylinder for a 396 and you can see where the coating has flaked a little around the edges.
The one currently occupying the 396 has all kinds of streaks but nothing as knarly as your pictures.
I can see the need for maybe protecting against the burning powder but the chambers themselves should be good no matter what.
I HAVE seen pix of burned Ti cylinders at the front end but never a 44 special.
I would just carry on unless something worse happens.
I am.
(But I did get that spare cylinder from Numrich).

===
Nemo

[6ForSure]

Looks normal to me unfortunately. When I received my new Ti cylinder from S&W it had the same brown spots you see in post #2. I contacted S&W and was told it was residue from test firing. My problem is it came directly from them and it had this discoloration in all charge holes. S&W say they don't test fire all charge holes. I love S&W, I don't doubt they fire fewer than all, but I've been unsatisfied about it. Hope that helps.

[scruffy]

Received this reply from S&W less than 24 hrs after my email inquiry. Basically sounds like it's cosmetic caused by heat and lube oils in the machining process.

"Reference number: xxxx Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.
Subject: Ti Cylinder charge hole staining

Dear Customer,

The staining is from the machining of the charge holes. The intense heat and oil lubricant will create the staining but is normal and will not affect the cylinder.

Smith&Wesson values its customers and we are happy to have served you today. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further assistance.

Regards, Rob"