In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

how do you tell?

jsclarkeyjsclarkey Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
how do you tell the difference between alloy and steel if the gun is blued?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ATFATF Member Posts: 11,683 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A magnet should work ?
    ATF
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • talontalon Member Posts: 150 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Steel is an alloy. I think all gun makers use different steel alloys, all identified by numbers. Blueing is controlled oxidation of these steels. Different blueing techniques for different steels to one extent or another. Could you be more specific please?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wild TurkeyWild Turkey Member Posts: 2,425 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some "stainless steel" alloys are non-magnetic, but I don't know about the ones used in firearms."Steel" is an iron alloy. Please be more specific and we can get more detailed.
    Wild Turkey"if your only tool is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jsclarkeyjsclarkey Member Posts: 41 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    talon, it is my smith model 39 and it will make a significant difference in value. the blue book just says steel or alloy is all
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your model 39 almost certainly has an allow frame as the steel framed ones are very scarce. The allow frame will be black anodized and you will be able to see a difference between it and the slide, which will be blued steel.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • talontalon Member Posts: 150 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    herschel, I know zip about pistols. But, could it be that "alloy" is used here to mean sort of Aluminum-magnesium alloy? If so, like you said, its finish wouldn't look like blueing on steel at all. And, it would be much lighter than a steel frame. That doesn't mean that it's 'cheap'. Some of those Al-Mag mixes are quite good. I suspect the price difference is just due to scarcity of the steel frame.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think that you can actually blue aluminum, most aluminum alloys are anondized not blued. It would be very hard to make a gun with an alloy frame and a steel upper match finishes when they aren't being finished in the same manner. I'd say that if your slide and frame are in two different colors its probably a pretty good giveaway that your lower is an alloy, but if they are identical then more than likely they are both steel, blued in the same vat.
    Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.