Starline brass and titanium cylinders

[foxtrapper]

Starline does not recommend their 9mm brass be used in titanium cylinders as it causes hard extraction! Been toying with the idea of model 929 to be able to take advantage of the small pistol primers that are available. Anyone find this to be a issue?

[shorty500]

No 9mm experience in a titanium cylinder but my fair share of multiple brands of brass in .38 Spec, .357 , .44 Spec & Mag.
Starline is typically my go to brass. No issues with any brand in the 4 calibers. No interest personally in a 9mm revolver but
will be following out of curiosity as to what the issue may be

[x101airborne]

I shoot their 45 ACP brass out of my Smith 325. No troubles.

[revolvercranker]

From what I've read you have to make sure you don't scratch the titanium cylinder chambers. A fellow called S&W about the titanium cylinder maintenance and they said they were very clear about never scraching that stuff because it is only case hardened (or coated?). But, he stated that brass brushes wouldn't harm anything if used correctly. I don't know as I don't have an revolvers with a titanium cylinder.

[Alaskan454]

One of the top revo shooters in USPSA/ICORE chiming in. Starline is a hard pass. You want FC brass or Blazer for a 929. I have beaten my ejector rod against a post to eject Starline brass from a 929.

[revolvercranker]

Jan 27, 2024 21:03:49 GMT -5 Alaskan454 said:

One of the top revo shooters in USPSA/ICORE chiming in. Starline is a hard pass. You want FC brass or Blazer for a 929. I have beaten my ejector rod against a post to eject Starline brass from a 929.

I read that too. I read some on Brian Enos's forum to that effect also. 

[Alaskan454]

If you have any questions about 929s just ask. I have 5 or 6 of them.

[Alaskan454]

Hit me up at [e-mail] if you have questions.

[joeygoods67]

So someone clue me in on this please, as I've never used anything titanium for guns to my knowledge.


Are titanium cylinders coated in something? If so, why? And why is there an issue of extraction? Is it a binding issue specifically? Last I checked, and I don't know much from a metallurgical perspective, but titanium is damn hard, strong, and fairly heat resistant. Basically light as aluminum and strong as steel, and so on. I mean it depends on what titanium is alloyed with, but still.

[paleroadster]

I love airlight N Frames, my biggest round count in one would be a 327pc 2", probably approaching 2000 now. No issues with any of mine. I spoke to a guy in engineering at S&W and asked about caring for Ti cylinders. He said there are no magic coatings or plating. Use a bronze brush if it gets really crusty, nylon if not. Regular cleaning products, avoid super aggressive or miracle cleaners.

[stubshaft]

I use Starline brass in my S&W 325 (45 ACP) and 641 (40 S&W) without any problems.

[magnumwheelman]

I had an Air Lite 396 ( I think that's the number, 3" 44 Special ) & never had any issues with 44 Special... Inquiring minds want to know... I wonder what is different with the 9mm certainly not doubting the issue, just wondering why??? ( less or more stretch from a Titanium cylinder???... are the chamber walls thinner, or thicker on the 9 mm, than other Ti cylinders??? ... is the brass composition, significantly different than other brands??? the 9mm is tapered, correct??? I don't shoot 45 ACP enough to know, is that also tapered, & if it is, is it to the same degree as the 9mm??? are the pressures at least similar???

[Lee Martin]

I can't speak to Starline brass in titanium cylinders, but they are coated. Titanium, while light and strong, is quite porous. High temperature particles, as found in firearms, can cause the already porous surface to erode. To prevent this, S&W coats their cylinders with a carbon-based sealer.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time:

[Alaskan454]

On the cylinders, Lee is correct. Most of my 929s have spots where the coating is worn or eroding. When you put 30-100k rounds through them you will see stuff come off.

As for Starline, their brass is a softer alloy than some of the other brands. That's why it sticks. FC and Blazer should work wonderfully.

[Alaskan454]

One of my friends has more rounds through 929s than anyone else in the world. We have discovered their quirks and know what they need to run.