[ithacaartist]

Zamak is an acronym created from Zinc, Aluminum, Magnesium, and Kopper (auf Deutsch). There are a handful of specific formulations/proportions of the different metals in the general alloy. I believe it's #4 Zamak from which gun frames and parts are made. Its density is similar to steel, and although very close in weight to a steel pistol, the material is significantly brittle in comparison. I've heard that it becomes more brittle over time, and have anecdotal evidence that this is probably true.

Use of this material coincides with the concept of the dreaded "Saturday Night Specials," the inexpensive guns that were usually small caliber semi-autos--Raven, Davis, etc. Import regulations were adjusted to consider the melting temperature of a gun's frame, which eliminated a lot of the flow of the cheap foreign-made guns into the country.