Differences between stainless and blued steel barrels

Blued guns will wear on the parts that are rubbed against most from handling and holstering, removing the finish. Stainless steel may get surface marks, but it'll always shine up and look good.

Given the choice, I'd go for stainless steel every time.
 
It is my understanding that stainless barrels have better wear resistance, partly because of more efficient heat transfer/conductivity. I read an article awhile back that talked about this phenomenon.

Jeff/1911.
 
Jeff/1911 said:
It is my understanding that stainless barrels have better wear resistance, partly because of more efficient heat transfer/conductivity. I read an article awhile back that talked about this phenomenon.

Jeff/1911.
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Stainless steel does not conduct heat better than alloy steels, quite the opposite. Thermal conductivities of carbon/alloy steels are typically around 90 W/mK, compare to around 30W/mK for most stainless steels.

I have never seen any real, well researched facts about stainless steel in gun barrels. There is tons of internet blather and gun shop "facts", but not a word I would take seriously. The only things that are true, bordering on self-evident:
- They resist field conditions better, as they won't rust or corrode to any appreciable extent
- The grades used in barrel making (usually 416) are easy to machine, saving costs for the manufacturer, and/or allowing him to easily hold tight tolerances.
 
To date nothing I have documents stainless lasting longer.
I do know I prefer to tool on stainless as it is nicer to work with, and easier on my tooling.
The other BIG benefit for rifles is that it is bead blast finished and that is it, there is no need for the added work and expense of blueing to keep it from rusting. Stainless can be chemically blackened, to look the same as matte finished CM metals.
 
Ackley devotes a few pages to steel and wear resistance, and concludes--after running his own tests and talking to guys at an armory who should know from barrel wear--that there's no difference in wear characteristics between any of the commonly used barrel alloys. Nickel steel , chrome-moly, stainless 416, it all breaks down at pretty much the same rate. The biggest differences in the grades are ease of machining, and yeah resistance to rust.
 
BattleRife said:
Stainless steel does not conduct heat better than alloy steels, quite the opposite. Thermal conductivities of carbon/alloy steels are typically around 90 W/mK, compare to around 30W/mK for most stainless steels.

I have never seen any real, well researched facts about stainless steel in gun barrels. There is tons of internet blather and gun shop "facts", but not a word I would take seriously. The only things that are true, bordering on self-evident:
- They resist field conditions better, as they won't rust or corrode to any appreciable extent
- The grades used in barrel making (usually 416) are easy to machine, saving costs for the manufacturer, and/or allowing him to easily hold tight tolerances.
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Thanks, I stand corrected! :redface:

I much prefer blued steel and walnut myself...glad to hear that it's still a good choice. :)

Jeff/1911.
 
I don't know much about all this but to me personally a rifle should have three basic things in the cosmetics section: Blued barrel, nice wood and a monte carlo style stock
 
I far prefer the looks of stainless over blue.

As far as performanc,e the stainless is more resiitant to rust. I have never seen one wear loinger or shoot better than the other.:)
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alberta tactical rifle
Stainless can be chemically blackened, to look the same as matte finished CM metals.


Rubikahn said:
Any idea how much this would cost?
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I can tell you how to do it for free if your out in the bush.
Peel some birch bark, and light it. Put your barrel in the black smoke, and it sticks to the barrel/ metal.
Cheap and easy camo...:D
 
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