Cast v. forged frames?

[Bwana416]

Everybody and his dog knows that Bill Ruger pioneered the use of investment casting of frames. I have YET to hear anybody whining about the Ruger castings and yet on sites devoted to handguns they leap all over STI (who guarantee all parts for LIFE) for casting most of their frames. What gives here?
Seems that properly cast frames should hold up just fine for anything but a dedicated competition gun which will get 1,000s of rounds in a short time.

On American Shooter, before my cable provider dropped it, Jim Scouten toured the Ruger factory and they demonstrated the casting process. I don't get it.:confused:

-Ray

[LampLighter]

I thought Rugers were milled from solid stock. And I also thought Ruger was the one to go to if you hammered magnum loads on a regular basis. You sure you don't have the story reversed ?

Consider a GP100 vs a Smith 66. The GP100 is solid buddy!

[MOGC]

No he has it right, Ruger uses cast frames and parts. Cast is supposed to be weaker in the molecular structure and is usually rougher finished than forged parts.

[Bwana416]

The secret is in the heat treating!!!


-Ray

[LampLighter]

I've been around the police range circuit for quite a while. Worked with Mikeulik's brother. Shot the hell out of revolvers in the academy and in service qualifications, and shot on the pistol team in college for ACJA criminal justice organization. I think you guys have it mixed up. Ruger revolvers have always been known as the "bank vault" revolver- the one to use if you are hammering heavy magnums all day.

[MOGC]

Sorry, but you are wrong. Ruger has been a pioneer in the casting industry for a very long time. Ruger uses castings in their firearms, both for frames/receivers, but also for small internal parts. Ruger not only cast all their own metal work, but outsources for a lot of other companies too. You might be surprised what companies have Ruger investment castings in their construction. Google "Pine Tree Castings" and see what you come up with.

[LampLighter]

Yeah but no matter the manufacturing process, it is very well known that Ruger firearms are the solid, bank vault iron that can take magnum handloads daily, as opposed to say, a Smith model 66. They tell you not to shoot the H110 heavy loads too much in the Smith.

[Bwana416]

did NOT play games!!!
:)
-Ray

[Altjaeger]

Bill Ruger was a pioneer in using the "lost wax" casting process for the gun industry and used it for sure in his revolvers and M77s. I suspect its used in about all their firearms.

Which all goes back to the original post of if the castings are so strong as Bill Ruger proved why are they spoken of with such disrespect. :rolleyes:

[swamp]

Bill Ruger was a pioneer in using the "lost wax" casting process for the gun industry and used it for sure in his revolvers and M77s. I suspect its used in about all their firearms.

Which all goes back to the original post of if the castings are so strong as Bill Ruger proved why are they spoken of with such disrespect. :rolleyes:

William Batterman Ruger, Sr.
Progenitor of the Clinton Administration's High Capacity Magazine Ban

http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/papabill.html

[Altjaeger]

William Batterman Ruger, Sr.
Progenitor of the Clinton Administration's High Capacity Magazine Ban

http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/papabill.html

There is no doubt that was a bonehead move on his part. It does does not answer the question or undo the good things he did with gun manufacture processes.

[swamp]

Bill Ruger found a way to make guns relatively inexpensively by his casting methods... however in general they are not nearly as refined as a machined action but they are far less expensive to make.

if i wanted a 454 casul it would be the ruger alaskan... if i wanted a smaller revolver in a 38 special or 357 mag it would be a S&W.... if i wanted a new rifle it would be built on a machined action like a borden

the ruger alaskan in comparison to a smith in similar chamberings has thicker cylinder walls, longer cylinders as well... doesnt have the "groove cut outs" whatever they are called on the outside of the cylinder walls.... the ruger alaskan is very strong... its the only thing i'd shoot core bond or buffalo bore rounds thru in 454 casul