Scandium 44 Magnum Questions

[CHeatermk3]

Earlier today I was offered a Very slightly used S&W 44 magnum revolver that is so light I could not believe it--weighs 2.8 pounds! Thinking seriously about purchasing it but as I have no knowledge of these, I'm wondering about the quality and durability of these guns. It would be a dream to pack all day but full house magnum loads must be punishing, to say the least. I went to S&W's website and don't see them there.

So, anyone got info to chime in here? I'll be making my own ammo for it but kinda skittish about the deal, even though the price is reasonable.

TIA
Mike

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

.....

[06ackley]

I have one and really like it.It is very light and easy to carry.Full house loads can be a handful but aren't terrible.I changed the rear sight on mine and am overall very happy with it.

[CHeatermk3]

I got the weight wrong(oldman's syndrome?). It' about 24oz.

I don't know what the model is but it looks just like an N-frame but it;s matte black frame, grey(Titanium?) cylinder, steel-lined shrouded barrel and scary light.

I dismissed it out of hand when my LGS owner showed it to me as being way too light ot shoot much. He had a huge box of factory ammo to go with it, like 12 boxes of critical defense, couple of boxes of federal match, a few of Fiocchi and some others too.

After I got home and thought about it for a bit, I realized it would be a great weapon to pack around and only shoot in defense or, more likely, with light 44spl-level boolit loads. That 20x18x10" box full of factory ammo's also gotta be worth a few $$ too but I have a couple thousand cases from my pig hunting days.

Just don't want to jump into something that turns out to be a weak or flawed design.

[country gent]

I have a 2" 340 hammerless J Frame Smith this is scandium titanium and weighs 13 ounces in 357 mag. Its a real handful with 38 spl loads even. Magnums are a real handful. Even my light wadcutter loads are stout in it ( 2.6 grns bullseye 148 grn hollow based wadcutter). It is a dream to carry. But a handful to shoot. The 44 spl in the 44 version at 24 0zs would be doable probably. Full house heavy bullet loads will be a handful. Also check the barrel legend as mine has a warning on 120 grn or lighter bullets not to be used.

[Ickisrulz]

I have a 2" 340 hammerless J Frame Smith this is scandium titanium and weighs 13 ounces in 357 mag. Its a real handful with 38 spl loads even. Magnums are a real handful. Even my light wadcutter loads are stout in it ( 2.6 grns bullseye 148 grn hollow based wadcutter). It is a dream to carry. But a handful to shoot. The 44 spl in the 44 version at 24 0zs would be doable probably. Full house heavy bullet loads will be a handful. Also check the barrel legend as mine has a warning on 120 grn or lighter bullets not to be used.

My wife has a S&W 337PD. I believe it is the lightest J frame S&W ever made. I hurts to shoot even moderate rounds. I cannot imagine shooting a very light 44 magnum. It would be nice to carry though.

[Skipper]

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-329pd
25 ounces?
I'm kinda partial to chrome moly steel, myself.

[427smith]

ok you know its a S&W, you know how much it weighs, but no model#. and your a pig hunter with couple thousand cases. maybe you should do some research and let us know what you looked at

[CHeatermk3]

It looks like the one referenced above in post #7--as I said I dismissed it at first as way too light then got thinkin' and so tomorrow I'll go back and have another look..and my pig hunting days are 30 yrs in the past. Nowadays I just shoot paper and the occasional garden pest/tomato stealing deer.

Since it's a S&W if there are design problems I'm confident they'll make it right. Saw some pix of frames that came apart in small frame models.

[Wayne Smith]

Design flaws? Don't think so - everything I've read says the scandium alloy is plenty strong. Conceptually flawed? Absolutely, IMHO.
But then, there are those who love the 500S&W in revolvers too. Mine is an Encore Katadin.

[Comrade Mike]

Design flaws? Not a chance. The scandium alloys SW uses are perfectly suited to the task and will hold up just as well as comparable steel parts over their life time.


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[Mytmousemalibu]

I have a little Scandium J-frame, a 360J which is Japanese police contract gun, very well made, light and lovely. Tell you what though, hot .38+P in it is a handful. Its the same gun as the 360PD but in .38 Special but S&W with actually convert it to .357 for you. I can't wrap my head around how nasty that would be with hot .357 Mag in it. I still love the S&W lightweights despite the bite that matches the bark. If it is what you say it is condition & price wise, I'd be on that puppy like white on rice...

[376Steyr]

There were reports that the ultra-light S&W .44 Magnums, when fired with full power loads, could have the storage lock (AKA the "Hillary Hole") safety system engage from the recoil, thus locking up the revolver and making it useless. Michael Bane, noted TV shooting-show guy, had this happen and described this in his blog.

[dverna]

The recoil issue would raise a red flag for me. I want my pistols to hurt at the pointy end.

[243winxb]

Titanium cylinders need special treatment when cleaning. Nothing abrasive , as the special coating may be removed, causing damage. Its a S&W warning.

Some alloy frames will have a blast shields. They dont hold up well with some handloads. Gas cutting, needing replacement.

[CHeatermk3]

I've decided to pass on this gun; I doubt I'd shoot it much--were I 30 yrs younger it would be just the ticket for all day packing in the woods but then again 30 yrs ago I wouldn't have had the funds---

Thanks all for the input!

[Paul105]

Titanium cylinders need special treatment when cleaning. Nothing abrasive , as the special coating may be removed, causing damage. Its a S&W warning.

Some alloy frames will have a blast shields. They dont hold up well with some handloads. Gas cutting, needing replacement.

That picture is of the area under the blast shield after it eroded in half and fell off.

This is the actual blast shield:

S&W took care of the problem on their dime -- took about two weeks. They picked up the cost of shipping both ways and replaced the frame under warranty.

Don't remember when erosion started but the blast shield gave up the ghost at approx 2,800 rnds of magnum level loads.

I've had three of these guns -- still have two. They fill a very narrow niche. Due to their weight and exotic materials, they require more frequent repair/maint if shot frequently with magnum ammo. Some of us were willing to put up with the trade offs (less weight for more frequent repair). If shot predominantly with .44 special equiv loads and loaded with mags only when needed, they make a superb packing piece. Would probably last the better part of a lifetime without requiring a return to the mother ship if used this way. I carried mine daily for the better part of a decade. Still carry it when bow hunting elk in the high country.

I know the OP decided not to purchase, but someone else might one of these 329s useful.

FWIW,

Paul

[dbarry1]

I have a 2" 340 hammerless J Frame Smith this is scandium titanium and weighs 13 ounces in 357 mag. Its a real handful with 38 spl loads even. Magnums are a real handful. Even my light wadcutter loads are stout in it ( 2.6 grns bullseye 148 grn hollow based wadcutter). It is a dream to carry. But a handful to shoot. The 44 spl in the 44 version at 24 0zs would be doable probably. Full house heavy bullet loads will be a handful. Also check the barrel legend as mine has a warning on 120 grn or lighter bullets not to be used.

I've got the 638 which is 14 oz I think. Likewise, it is a handful with regular 38's. Powerful loads have taken bark off and drawn blood. That's enough for me!

[243winxb]

Thank you for the correction Paul105. My 72 year old eyes missed that. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=774069 Great photos by the way. Ty.

I have a 337PD in 38 special at 10 oz. Great to carry, not fun to shoot with +P ammo.

[Greg S]

I got about 400-600 rounds per blast shield. Spent more time in the mail and at s&w for 3 replacements that actually shooting it. If I new they would have replaced the frame for free, I might have pushed it alittle harder. Third time it returned it was sold. I rarely sell firearms and it is one of the ones I miss alot.