Brass frames on Open Tops & Conversion revolvers, I understand they can/do stretch . . .

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

but I'm not clear on how big an issue it is.  So if on one end you have a heavy loaded 45 lc with just the most outrageous just this side of the top end of the allowed power factor, and on the other end you have a 38 S&W with a 90 gr pill and just enough power to (with a good tailwind) to make the minimum, were in the middle would a reasonable load be on the self destruct scale.   Do they last a decent amount of time with mild loads?    Mostly thinking of the brass frame Navy gripped R&M conversion in 38 spl, but if I find a good deal I'm open to  other chamberings 

 

And forgive me if "stretch" is the wrong term for it, my brain is suffering from an overload of a mixture of pretty helpful and not at all useful information 

[Still hand Bill]

I am sure it’s similar to contenders stretching.  Its breech force that stretches the frame.  That is determined by pressure and internal case head area.  Larger diameters need lower pressure, smaller cases can be run at higher pressure.    You could probably run a fairly hot 357, yet not run a hot 45.  Bullet weight only matters in figuring out the pressure.   
 

stretching is due to exceeding the yield strength of the frame.  Exceed it by a little it stretches a little, needing more events to stretch beyond useful.  

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

If you are talking about a ready made conversion (Uberti 1851 Richards-Mason in .38 spcl), every cartridge gun they make has a steel frame.  The grip frame is made of brass, but that is of no consequence.  They will shoot thousands of cowboy loads with no problem.  If you shoot heavy loads it will shoot loose sooner, but not because of the brass grip frame. 

[Rip Snorter]

Even quality modern revolvers will shoot loose over time with a steady diet of heavy loads.  Been there, done that!

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

1 hour ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

If you are talking about a ready made conversion (Uberti 1851 Richards-Mason in .38 spcl), every cartridge gun they make has a steel frame.  The grip frame is made of brass, but that is of no consequence.  They will shoot thousands of cowboy loads with no problem.  If you shoot heavy loads it will shoot loose sooner, but not because of the brass grip frame. 

Yes, one of the current production models.

[Seldom Seen #16162]

It seems like with the top strap on the 1858 brass frame Pietta wouldn’t stretch with reasonable loads.

[Lucky R. K.]

I have two brass framed '51 "Yanks" in 45 Colt I bought several years ago. I have shot them with "Cowboy" loads (15-20 grains of 2F with no problems. I installed conversion cylinders in them and now just shoot 45 Cowboy Specials. If they have "stretched" at all I am not able to tell it. Loaded for CASS they should last as long as you would want.

Lucky R. K. 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

It's really the back of the frame getting beat from the heavy recoil that people call frame stretch. 

If you run 15 20 grans of powder they will last a long time .

Besides they can be had pretty cheap. 

Run them till they die and buy some more .

I don't need much of any kind of excuse to buy another gun lol 

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

44 minutes ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

I don't need much of any kind of excuse to buy another gun lol 

 

Me either!  Unfortunately the realities of life have me in a "One in, one out" position so I try to figure things out the best I can beforehand, but I almost always follow that careful research up with a wild rash decision