[AGE]

G.T.

I am answering your PM as another response to this thread since it is receiving so much attention. According to the May/June American Handgunner Caspian is making a titanium 1911 frame that is investment cast. It is .8 oz heavier than an aluminum frame so it is attractive in that application. They don't mention the specific alloy but Petty, the AH 1911 guru, seemed quite happy with the gun after extensive shooting. The article also mentioned that Remington uses titanium in a rifle action, but the specific model wasn't mentioned.

In my experience GE has used titanium in jet engine compressor blades for many years. These are complicated parts subjected to lots of extreme loadings. Titanium was also used in the core support structure of the NERVA nuclear rocket. This was a big complicated part and I'm not really sure why titanium was selected as the material (about 6 or 7 were made).

I don't remember what specific titanium alloys were used in the blades or core support structure, but they weren't investment cast. I do have a few old reports somewhere and I could probably dig out some info. if someone desperately needed it.

It's true that there is not a whole lot of bearing wear or impact going on in the 1911 frame or S&W cylinder (or in the compressor blades or support structure).

But what is the real point of this thread??? What would be gained with an aluminum or titanium Luger frame? I'm sure it could be made and would work pretty well for awhile at least (if titanium is that hard to machine it should hold up to considerable wear). Are we trying to "what if" the German Luger designers of 100+ years ago? Why? Neat as it is the Luger is the day before yesterday's weapon, not today's.

I guess I'll keep my Lugers the way the Germans designed them but I wouldn't mind a titanium 1911, especially with a Damascus slide like the AH article. Damascus, now there's another topic to discuss...... Oh well, it's about bedtime.