Titanium guns

[WILBA]

I can’t remember the make now but one of the PCP manufacturers offered a Titanium Air cylinder at one point. Stronger than steel for its weight. It has two main issues, cost, and the fact it galls with other metals unless anodised.
Interestingly, Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust. Shame so much of it goes into making white paint!

Used as armour in the A10 tank buster so must be good. It's a very tough material and that affects the machinability of it. That's what it's so dam expensive

[WILBA]

Interesting fact is where I work we used to make titanium powder. The melting point of this used to make my anal spincter tighten during every melt as the pour temp of this alloy. It was over 2000 degrees centigrade.

[joffy]

Interesting fact is where I work we used to make titanium powder. The melting point of this used to make my anal spincter tighten during every melt as the pour temp of this alloy. It was over 2000 degrees centigrade.

Used your sphincter as a mould ?

[Black Beard]

Titanium on a springer would make a really light gun. People would complain about the harsh recoil.

[joffy]

Titanium on a springer would make a really light gun. People would complain about the harsh recoil.

Might be just right for altering the balance point rearward a touch

[xbow]

I’ve machined commercially pure Titanium on my Mini lathe. It doesn’t cut too bad but if you let the tool rub it can set fire to the swarf - I’ve done this twice! I’ve also got some 6/4 grade Titanium somewhere but I can’t remember what it’s like to machine, probably pretty tough?

[Waddy]

There's a chap on the AGF who has made several PCPs from scratch using mainly titanium, they are unbelievable things to look at. I often wonder what some folk would pay for a rifle like that ?





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[D-Man]

One good thing about titanium is that you can permanently change it's colour with electricity.. you could have a purple gun!

[Shed tuner]

I think the main reason would be cost, followed by finishing options. I believe it’d be so expensive there’d be no market for it.

I know of one-off’s that have been made in titanium.

Two common misconceptions with titanium is that it’s lighter than aluminium (it isn’t, not by a long way) and also that’s it’s as hard as nails and very difficult to machine. This also isn’t true. Its mechanical properties (and machinability) are very similar to a medium carbon mild steel.

Cheers
Greg

yeah, is basically alu weight (ish) and steel strength... so makes sense on planes, race cars/bikes, and tanks, but not much else...

[joffy]

yeah, is basically alu weight (ish) and steel strength... so makes sense on planes, race cars/bikes, and tanks, but not much else...

Shoulders too mind you laying here in hospital a titanium toe might come in handy

[Shed tuner]

Shoulders too mind you laying here in hospital a titanium toe might come in handy

...and knee joints...

[Farsight]

yeah, is basically alu weight (ish) and steel strength... so makes sense on planes, race cars/bikes, and tanks, but not much else...

How about a new slimline Park 93 ?

Atb
Mark

[Shed tuner]

How about a new slimline Park 93 ?

Atb
Mark

ohh, there are plenty of niche scenarios where it seems to make a lot of sense.. until you factor in the costs !!!!

[Muskett]

Ti is being used in the gun trade for certain parts. Certainly tried in rifles and shotguns where there is some depth to the price that can absorb the extra costs of Ti. Ti prices have gone down, and the machinery to work it down too. Steel and aluminium is just so much cheaper, and well known how to get the best out of. All comes down to where the qualities of Ti might be best used for the price of using it.
I actually think the real push is coming from the problems of having used aluminium. Ti can do some things better than aluminium has been found for some uses. Aluminium is a bit like brass and pretty soft, and doesn't harden well. Ti does hard quite well. As hard as steel and the steel alloys? I'm sure people are trying to find out.

I just don't see Ti finding much use in any Springer. Springers like a bit of weighty to them. There are some shotguns with much made of Ti, actions and even barrels, so people are trying to find use for it and its properties, though mainly to keep weight down/balance.

When Ti is as cheap to use as aluminium or steel then more things will be made of it.

[Waddy]

Shoulders too mind you laying here in hospital a titanium toe might come in handy

It's not quite got the ring of "gold finger" though has it ?





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