Why Stainless??

Dwight Gruber · 09-24-2002, 10:11 PM

Topic line sez it all, why are the current Lugers manufactured in stainless steel rather than...um, I guess, regular steel...does anybody have a real answer?

--Dwight

Aaron · 09-24-2002, 10:42 PM

I have often wondered the same thing, and have come up with a couple of guesses. First, stainless saves the cost of blueing. Secondly, these stainless guns are made with investment castings and CNC machines, and it may be that stainless is easier to work with using these procedures. Maybe one of our machinist or metallurgical engineer types can shed some light on this.

wterrell · 09-25-2002, 07:30 AM

Guns are made of stainless because the owners do not take care of their guns. Stainless requires less maintenance.

unspellable · 09-25-2002, 08:16 AM

Stainless is generally more difficult to machine. Note that in the case of a Smith & Wesson or Ruger where you can get essentially the same model in either stainless or blue, the stainless always costs a tad more. A lot of the early stainless revolvers had problems with tool chatter. My guess is that the AIMCO's are stainless simply because it's the current fashion. My distant second guess might be that stainless lends itself better to casting.

As an additional point, I think a large percentage of the cost of a current model firearm these days is the liability premiums the manufacturer gets stuck with.

DuaneD · 09-26-2002, 09:31 AM

Dwight If you like I will ask Mr Romo of AIMCO. I hope tosee him at a gun Show Oct. 4

Dwight Gruber · 09-26-2002, 09:43 AM

DuaneD, of course, information from The Source would be illuminating. Also, I'm sure we'd all be interested in an update on the .45 .

Heck, I'd be interested in generally chatting him up about making and selling Lugers in the 21st century. It would seem to be such a marginal activity, and yet there seems to be the will and determination to do it. I'm fascinated to find out what is behind this dedication.

--Dwight

09-24-2002, 10:11 PM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Why Stainless?? Topic line sez it all, why are the current Lugers manufactured in stainless steel rather than...um, I guess, regular steel...does anybody have a real answer? --Dwight

09-25-2002, 07:30 AM	#3
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Guns are made of stainless because the owners do not take care of their guns. Stainless requires less maintenance. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

09-24-2002, 10:42 PM	#2
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	I have often wondered the same thing, and have come up with a couple of guesses. First, stainless saves the cost of blueing. Secondly, these stainless guns are made with investment castings and CNC machines, and it may be that stainless is easier to work with using these procedures. Maybe one of our machinist or metallurgical engineer types can shed some light on this.

09-25-2002, 08:16 AM	#4
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 767 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	Stainless is generally more difficult to machine. Note that in the case of a Smith & Wesson or Ruger where you can get essentially the same model in either stainless or blue, the stainless always costs a tad more. A lot of the early stainless revolvers had problems with tool chatter. My guess is that the AIMCO's are stainless simply because it's the current fashion. My distant second guess might be that stainless lends itself better to casting. As an additional point, I think a large percentage of the cost of a current model firearm these days is the liability premiums the manufacturer gets stuck with.

09-26-2002, 09:31 AM	#5
DuaneD New User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dwight If you like I will ask Mr Romo of AIMCO. I hope tosee him at a gun Show Oct. 4

09-26-2002, 09:43 AM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	DuaneD, of course, information from The Source would be illuminating. Also, I'm sure we'd all be interested in an update on the .45 . Heck, I'd be interested in generally chatting him up about making and selling Lugers in the 21st century. It would seem to be such a marginal activity, and yet there seems to be the will and determination to do it. I'm fascinated to find out what is behind this dedication. --Dwight