flash cutting

[Seabee Chuck]

I shoot a M350 stainless, and am considering buying a used XVR 460 in the near future. I have shot over 250 factory rounds, thru the 350 Legend, mostly 147 gr. for cheap practice, and 165 FTX Hornady for deer hunting. I notice a mild flash cutting happening on the top strap. I know that this is not new, but new to me, and wonder if it will become a serious issue. The 460 I am looking at also has this same cutting, and the owner has been shooting mostly Hornady 200 gr. FTX out of it. Should I be real concerned about buying, and what about the 350, should I stop using the 165 FTX?

 

[ruggyh]

Top strap flame cutting is self limiting
in other words, at some point it stops

Common with 460- they all will show some signs if 460
ammunition are shoot

The higher the operation pressure of the cartridge the faster flame cutting will be noticed

Double base powers coupled with light for caliber projectile will/tend to show flame cutting sooner.

If you don't want any top strap cutting simply don't shoot the gun...
or just shoot away and and don't worry about a none issue.

 

[JimCunn]

I shoot 147gr 9mm out of three aluminum Airweight 637-2 J-frames and haven't had any flame cutting yet.

 

[joebuck]

Going to happen when basically shooting a rifle round (.460 S&W) in a revolver. No worries. Just shoot it.

 

[SVT-THUNDER]

I’ve owned a 686 that looked like a line was cut into the top strap with a diamond wheel. But it stopped at that point and never got any worse. This was after S&W stopped adding the cup there to cut cost. I shot a ton of low grain/high velocity bullets. It’s pretty common with consistent low grain hot loads in 357 and up. I’ve personally never had any issue once it hit a certain depth. It literally just quit cutting deeper.

As for the 460, get it if you can. Absolutely love mine. I have zero practical use for it aside from creating Thunder, fireballs and blowing targets apart.

 

[stansdds]

The magnum caliber revolvers tend to form a line of erosion in the top strap, but it is usually self-limiting and nothing to worry about.

 

[Seabee Chuck]

To all who replied to my questions about "flash cutting" THANK YOU!!
Now for another. I will want to put a quality scope on the 460, and from what I have been reading, my choices are slim. Leopold seems to be a favorite, but no longer available for handguns of this power. I guess Burris is my next choice. What else is there out there that will stay together? Any suggestions where to go to find what I need, including rail, and mounting rings?
I am pushing 80, but still like the big bore handgun stuff, and been away from it since the early 80s, and want back in, at least for deer hunting, but eyes are no longer trustworthy. Have a Holson green dot on my 350, but want magnification, at least 2-4 power.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Seabee, Chuck, You may want to try jackweigand.com. WeigandC.H. Inc., Mountain Top, PA. for a rail. I bought a mini rail for my 629-6, 6" just for a Red Dot sight. Didn't like it, as I should've spent more for a quality sight.
Anyways, try Weigand for the rail.