Originally Posted By: CT8
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: bunnspecial
Does ruggedness really even matter in a 22 revolver?
As much as any other gun. Sure, no one is saying it's a high pressure round. But the same thing happens every time you pull the trigger. And you end up pulling it a lot more on a .22.
The 22 is a somewhat high pressure round !
Here is a list of max cartridge pressures to ponder
24,000 psi isn't that great when you consider that both companies make 6-shot revolvers on that frame chambered in 357 Magnum(35,000 psi).
Any 22LR revolver in this frame size is going to have more than enough cylinder wall thickness to safely contain that pressure. Aside from that, the main wear point comes from the "battering" effect of the cylinder against the frame of the gun and the action. This is a function of the kinetic energy, and is is virtually negligible from a 22LR vs. the rounds that these guns were really designed to fire.
Rugers have developed a ruggedness perception and it is true that some parts are overbuilt. At the same time, though, the investment casting process Ruger uses is inherently weaker than a forged S&W frame, which ultimately is why a comparable Ruger is stronger and heavier. The S&W action is quite strong, with no known weak points. The Colt V-spring-by design-has some weakness in the hand because this is the easiest part to service or replace.
In any case, I will spend some time this evening looking up some "kaboom" tests I've seen comparing a Ruger Blackhawk in 44 Mag to an S&W 29. The ultimate result was that the 29 actually let go at a higher pressure than did the Blackhawk, despite the Blackhawk's "indestructible" reputation.