Alfa Proj 2251 vs 251 (steel vs alloy)

[thegrandpoohbah]

Seriously looking at one of these right now. Is the steel version worth the extra cost? I have very little experience with pistols so I do not know what the differences are. Thanks.

 

[Hitzy]

Personally I would never buy a center-fire aluminium alloy revolver, rimfire sure...even then I would be gentle with it. Just a lot of different forces acting on the frame, and I think over time it will loosen up/wear out quicker.

 

[BCRider]

Um... rest easy then Hitzy. Both of these are .22LR revolvers.

I went looking on the Alpha Project website to clarify the frame materials and found this;

The light alloy frame contains steel casts and inserts that assure always friction of steel on steel to maintain the maximum life cycle. Any impact of shot is transmitted from the steel parts to the frame purposefully on large surface to assure maximum life cycle duration.

But a lighter 31 oz alloy gun is going to kick a little more than the 42oz all steel version. For some shooting events this will make a difference.

Either way if you get one be sure to get the reduced power mainspring from Rusty Wood. It makes the trigger pull for both DA and SA much nicer.

 

[IMR4320]

Personally I would never buy a center-fire aluminium alloy revolver, rimfire sure...even then I would be gentle with it. Just a lot of different forces acting on the frame, and I think over time it will loosen up/wear out quicker.

x2
I wouldn't touch alloy frame in .357 magnum(for example) with 10 ft pole. I value my life.

 

[thegrandpoohbah]

Just to clarify, these are both chambered in .22LR.

 

[Chuck3436]

For a .22lr? No.

I don't see the point of full sized heavy .22lr. The round allows the use of a compact, lightweight materials and frame size. Why burden yourself unnecessarily?

Even for a full steel revolver they can be made nice and small, take the ruger bearcat for example. That thing is tiny but is still full steel.