929 Two Piece Barrel

[Dr.J]

I hope this is not a real stupid question, but here goes. I thought that I read that the new 9mm model 929 has a two piece barrel. If so, what is a two piece barrel? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of construction? While I'm at it, what other than possibly faster lock time (rotation of the cylinder) is there to having a titanium cylinder? Thanks, Dr.J

 

[Cal44]

Two piece barrel means there is a decorative shroud around the barrel. The tube that the bullets travel in is inside the shroud.

Ti cylinders are lighter.

You need to be somewhat careful when cleaning a Ti cylinder to not scratch the hardened coating off.

No metal brushes (Nylon only).

I wouldn't use a Lead Away cloth either on the Cylinder.

 

[Fred_Ziffel]

The barrel shroud is made of a scandium/aluminum alloy, which is lighter than steel. Titanium is lighter than steel. The revolver can therefore be much lighter.

Kent

 

[S&WIowegan]

Titanium cylinders from S&W are also harder than their stainless ones. This is a real advantage if you are shooting fast in competition. Stainless bolt notches will peen up a burr. That burr will eventually cause the bolt to skip a notch. I first had that happen shooting my Jerry Miculek 625-7 Performance Center in USPSA matches. This burr can be fixed.....some smiths peen it back down and others file the burr off. If this happens in the middle of shooting a stage it is VERY annoying.

 

[colt_saa]

The multipiece barrel design (some are 2, 3 or even 4 pieces) was pioneered in handgun use by Dan Wesson about 40 years ago. Instead of the barrel just hanging from a threaded fitting on one end, it is tightened against an outer shroud which ends up supporting the barrel from both ends. This creates greater accuracy potential as the overall assembly is far more rigid than the centuries old single piece design.

Additionally, like in the Air Lite revolver series, the steel shroud is replaced with a much lighter metal like Scandium. This offers a significant weight savings.

 

[colt_saa]

The barrel shroud is made of a scandium/aluminum alloy
Kent

The shroud is usually made of the same material as the frame of the firearm. Most all stainless revolvers have stainless barrel shrouds. Expensive alloys like Scandium are only used in some of the light weight revolvers.