Aluminum & steel? - The Firearms Forum

RunningOnMT · 04-30-2009, 03:43 PM

I am considering buying a Taurus 1911. At one supplier they are out of the steel frame models but have aluminum frame models. From past experience with other than firearms steel moving against aluminum is not a good idea as the aluminum wears excessively. Is this a problem on these pistols?

oscarmayer · 05-01-2009, 05:11 AM

i have a colt lt. wt commander that has a aluminum frame it's had more rounds through it than i can count. it's rough and is need of a refinishing but no cracks no excessive wear and still works as it should.

LDBennett · 05-01-2009, 06:35 AM

The Taurus 92/99 (a copy of the Beretta 92 made on Beretta tooling in Brazil) that I have had for decades has a steel slide running on an aluminum frame as does my Sigs P220 and P225. None of these guns has shown any signs of excessive wear. But it of course depends on using the correct aluminum for the frame. Steel on steel is better yet, as done on the CZ family of metal guns. The worst has to be PLASTIC guns. Give me all metal anytime.

I personally would not own a aluminum framed 1911 because it is not "correct" in my eyes. I'd wait for the all steel Taurus if I were you. This is a big seller for Taurus, I think, and it will be available soon, I would hope.

LDBennett

oscarmayer · 05-01-2009, 08:46 AM

colt has been making the lt wt commander in one form or another since 1950 i've worked on a great deal of these and have only seen 2 mis-used / cracked frames, but both guns were used with handloads. but in retrospect i'd go with a all steel gun too if you're going to buy a taurus. the quality isn't the same as colts or sigs and they do not have the experience with 1911's colt has. the key with aluminum framed 45's are recoil springs and shock buffers. take a hard look at the star pd. these were aluminum framed too and yes the frames failed but not if shock buffers were used. excellent expert advice can be sought at m1911.org

RunningOnMT · 05-01-2009, 11:36 AM

Thanks OM and LD. I think I will wait for the all steel. The aluminum frame models have an advantage in that they have heinie sights but I like the looks of all steel better and have more confidence in them.

04-30-2009, 03:43 PM	#1
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Aluminum & steel? I am considering buying a Taurus 1911. At one supplier they are out of the steel frame models but have aluminum frame models. From past experience with other than firearms steel moving against aluminum is not a good idea as the aluminum wears excessively. Is this a problem on these pistols? -->

05-01-2009, 05:11 AM	#2
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Aluminum & steel? i have a colt lt. wt commander that has a aluminum frame it's had more rounds through it than i can count. it's rough and is need of a refinishing but no cracks no excessive wear and still works as it should.

05-01-2009, 06:35 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,755	Re: Aluminum & steel? The Taurus 92/99 (a copy of the Beretta 92 made on Beretta tooling in Brazil) that I have had for decades has a steel slide running on an aluminum frame as does my Sigs P220 and P225. None of these guns has shown any signs of excessive wear. But it of course depends on using the correct aluminum for the frame. Steel on steel is better yet, as done on the CZ family of metal guns. The worst has to be PLASTIC guns. Give me all metal anytime. I personally would not own a aluminum framed 1911 because it is not "correct" in my eyes. I'd wait for the all steel Taurus if I were you. This is a big seller for Taurus, I think, and it will be available soon, I would hope. LDBennett

05-01-2009, 08:46 AM	#4
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Aluminum & steel? colt has been making the lt wt commander in one form or another since 1950 i've worked on a great deal of these and have only seen 2 mis-used / cracked frames, but both guns were used with handloads. but in retrospect i'd go with a all steel gun too if you're going to buy a taurus. the quality isn't the same as colts or sigs and they do not have the experience with 1911's colt has. the key with aluminum framed 45's are recoil springs and shock buffers. take a hard look at the star pd. these were aluminum framed too and yes the frames failed but not if shock buffers were used. excellent expert advice can be sought at m1911.org

05-01-2009, 11:36 AM	#5
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: Aluminum & steel? Thanks OM and LD. I think I will wait for the all steel. The aluminum frame models have an advantage in that they have heinie sights but I like the looks of all steel better and have more confidence in them.