Scandium hot loads

[Barnicky]

I have had a M&P R8 for a long while and I just bought a Governor (blue) but not fired it yet. Is there any guidance or rule that suggests not using hot mags or +p's in scandium frames? Neither gun seems as tough and solid as my stainless 686 plus so I am wondering if hot mags in the R8 or 45acp+p or 45LC+p in the Governor is OK? Or should I avoid the hotties altogether? I know the barrels and cylinders are stainless on both guns, but I do not want to take any chances of cracking a frame and/or having a nasty accident. Any advice is appreciated. BTW, I am not a reloader, just buy factory quality USA ammo and I avoid the cheap stuff.

 

[CJH]

From what I’ve seen you’re more likely to throw the revolver out of time than crack the frame with heavy repeated loads. There’s a stainless shield on the top strap to prevent flame cutting at least on the R8, not sure on the governor. Haven’t really seen many people complain about the barrel shroud coming loose. If there were any restrictions the manual would mention it. Some of the scandium firearms comes with a bullet grain recommendation to not go lower then (due to higher powder charges in lower grains) but I’ve seen most of those with the titanium cylinders that could also experience premature wear. Not an issue with stainless cylinders.

The best part about both of these is the lifetime warranty. I’d shoot whatever you want as long as it’s not mentioned in the literature and send it in for service if it ever needs it.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I got a pound of AA#9 once and loaded 158gr 357s with it. I didn't want to down- load the powder in any way from at least the books starting loads. The problem with the starting loads is that it would hurt my wrist at the seam pretty badly with it.
I used some of the loads I made on a heavier L frame to absorb some of the recoil - but it still wasn't fun.
I shot the remaining 50 rounds in my R8. As I had initially loaded them for the R8.
I broke the optic on the gun and cracked the glass/ split it right in half.
Nothing happened to the gun.

Never had I thought for once , that the R8s frame was weak. Mine has about 10k rounds in it. And I shoot just about everything in it.

 

[colt_saa]

I have had a M&P R8 for a long while and I just bought a Governor (blue) but not fired it yet. Is there any guidance or rule that suggests not using hot mags or +p's in scandium frames? Neither gun seems as tough and solid as my stainless 686 plus so I am wondering if hot mags in the R8 or 45acp+p or 45LC+p in the Governor is OK? Or should I avoid the hotties altogether? I know the barrels and cylinders are stainless on both guns, but I do not want to take any chances of cracking a frame and/or having a nasty accident. Any advice is appreciated. BTW, I am not a reloader, just buy factory quality USA ammo and I avoid the cheap stuff.

The phrase "hot mags" is open to interpretation.

Smith & Wesson firearms are designed to safely chamber and fire any ammunition that conforms to the SAAMI specifications for the cartridge that is marked on the firearm

Your Model 327 M&P R8 can safely fire all 357 Magnum ammunition that conforms to SAAMI specifications.

ALL 45 ACP chambered revolvers designed to safely chamber and fire any ammunition that conforms to the SAAMI specifications for chamberings up to the +P level. +P is a known industry standard for 45 ACP and is just fine

There is no SAAMI standard known as 45 Long Colt +P. So a +P marked 45LC means that it exceeds the SAAMI pressure by some unknown percentage. You would need to ask the manufacturer of ammunition claimed to be 45LC+P if they guaranty that their ammunition is safe

If you have doubts (ANY DOUBTS) about a specific manufacturer loading ammunition above industry standards, then walk away from the ammunition that they are advertising.

I own and shoot Scandium framed revolvers in 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum and 45 Long Colt. I have no reservation shooting ammunition from any of the Big Ammo companies in my firearms

Cracked frames can occur on almost any of the Smith & Wesson revolvers though they do happen much more frequently on alloy framed revolvers. Those cracks are not caused by any specific power level of ammunition or bullet weight.

The bullet weight warning on some of the Scandium snubbies has nothing to do with the firearm's inability to safely discharge that particular loading. It has to do with bullet pull that can occur with full power loading of the lighter projectile. By the 3rd or 4th shot, the last bullet can pull to beyond the front of the cylinder face and cause the firearm to become unusable. This is not an acceptable situation with a personal defense firearm, so Smith & Wesson issues the warning

You should ALWAYS test the Defensive ammunition that you choose in the Firearm that you carry