Scandium frame with no blast shield (pics)

[tekarra]

I had not noticed the blast shield before, interesting.

 

[Nockm]

The frame is definitely scandium with titanium cylinder as it is considerably lighter than my steel N frames. There are no bullet weight restrictions stamped and the barrel is marked "357 MAG".

Cold you guys kindly post photos of scandiums PDs with no shield so I could compare them? I do not see any way to insert a blast shield in there without having to major barrel or frame modifications...the top of the forcing cone is at the same level of the top of the cylinder and theres only a hair space left between them and the top strap of the frame. I have seen scandiums with "stepped" cone and shield, and straight cone with shield. This case is straight cone with no shield, like the stainless versions


Also do you guys with no blast shield and scandium frame experience excessive flame cutting?

 

[JohnAC]

The 3rd image you posted looks interesting. Is that a reflection, or has flame cutting already begun?

 

[Nockm]

That is flame cutting...no longer a scruff mark. This gun is new unfired and the person selling this is reputable. Well it is definitely fired by the cutting but not by him. Could a single factory round cause this?

 

[Maximumbob54]

I thought they proofed every other chamber?

 

[Nockm]

If the flame cut is from only 4 rounds then this might be my last scandium frame not familiar with sw proofing methods but now that you mention it, theres left over stuff in every other cylinder

 

[Ashlander]

I am a gun shooter -- not somebody who hangs on to collectibles for the sake of collecting. So if I had bought that gun with the intention to shoot it - I would send it back to S&W and if they wanted to send me a gun that actually made it out of the prototype stage, I'd be happy as a clam.

How valuable could a prototype be if it's unshootable? Not as valuable as a working gun -- to me.

 

[pctech]

Sort of off topic, but... Why is a blast shield not required on the new S&W Governor pistol? It uses a scandium alloy frame too. Is it because the chambering is not for a "Magnum" load?

 

[ohnas]

My 327 mas made in 2010 I believe and the barrel is stepped. There is no blast shield but it looks like the frame is made for it.

 

[Nockm]

that is strange! so they made the cut out into the frame but did not include the shield or the shield mount? do you have any flame cuts?

 

[ohnas]

There are about 50 rounds through and there is a tiny line of lead/carbon that scrapes off but doesn't look like a cut. I did find pictures of 327s with barrels like mine that do have a blast shield.

Have you gotten any more info from your calls to S&W?

 

[Old Fashioned Six Shooter]

Sort of off topic, but... Why is a blast shield not required on the new S&W Governor pistol? It uses a scandium alloy frame too. Is it because the chambering is not for a "Magnum" load?

I, too, would like an answer to this one, because my Governor (.410, .45 Colt, .45 ACP) does not have a blast shield, but my 325 Nightguard (.45 ACP, .45 AR) does have one.

 

[ohnas]

I checked my other scandium frames and my 310 and 325 have the shield but gov does not.

 

[Nockm]

The tech that I spoke with stated that mine should have a shield installed. I am however going to call back again to get a second opinion. Is there any way to speak with some one from the performance center?

 

[Packard]

If the cylinder is titanium there will be no blast shield. To shield the frame and sacrifice the cylinder makes no sense. So S & W says you need to use bullets of 120 gr. or more to avoid damage to either the frame or the cylinder.

 

[redhawk444]

I currently have 11 S&W revolvers in my safe and none of them have a gas shield, or a cut in the frame to accommodate one.

Of course, the only magnum caliber I have in S&W guns are two .32 H&R Mags.

Is this gas shield a new thing, or have I just been unlucky? All my S&W revolvers except one (a 642) are pre-lock guns.

 

[s&wchad]

I would send that 327Sc to S&W and had them add a shield or replace the gun.

My 327Sc and my 340PD both have a flame shield and they both have titanium cylinders and aluminum alloy frames (with scandium mixed in). My 342Ti and my 296 do not have the shield.

The 625-10 that I owned before the frame cracked also had a flame shield and it was not a magnum (.45 ACP).

Here's an interesting thread on flame cutting of a 329: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/210392-s-w-m329-pd-gas-shield-erosion-w-ramshot-enforcer.html

Another interesting thread on why you want to pay attention to the minimum bullet weight warning using .357 magnums in a titanium cylinder.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/94437-disappointed-340-scandium.html

 

[Ashlander]

Redhawk: If your guns have steel frames -- you need not worry. The gas/blast shields are for these new fancy extra light scandium alloy frame guns.

 

[snubbiefan]

This has been very interesting and you're never too old to learn. I don't own anything with a blast-shield in it either, but none of them require it...I guess.

I'll stick with SS, or alloy guns in the smaller calibers thank you. That just looks like a fender-skirt or a mud-flap. Sorry to be a basher, but everybody has an opinion....different strokes for different folks. If you have to wedge a piece of sheet-metal above the barrel to prevent it from cutting the frame into....don't think I want it.

 

[Imshootin]

My 340PD and the 386Sc Mountain Lite I did have both are scandium frame, titanium cylinder guns and both have blast shields.