N/A Barrel question

[MikeVV]

Wondering what material / materials are the more higher end guns..."actually"...used in the manufacturing of these various gun barrels

Not looking for..."maybes", or "possibly's", are made of, I can do that. Just looking for any of you guys with more actual working knowledge about these things.

Thanks

Mike

 

[steve-l]

Mike, the choice of material used for barrels depends largely on the intended rifling method to be used, not just durability. Ultimately, cost will be the decision maker. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. The least expensive method is gun drilling the bore and then using a button rifling machine without heat treat. This method requires a softer leaded steel alloy. This method delivers a decent barrel that will usually not require straitening. The disadvantage is a poorer internal finish and limited barrel life. Forged barrels are more expensive to make because this involves more steps and more expensive machines plus heat treating, honing and straightening. The typical steel alloy used is M32 or a ASME equivalent. This method offers a much more durable barrel with a superb internal finish, but at a higher cost. Obviously, this explanation can be more detailed, but that would be unnecessary to answer your question. If more detail is required, Google is your friend.

 

[MikeVV]

Mike, the choice of material used for barrels depends largely on the intended rifling method to be used, not just durability. Ultimately, cost will be the decision maker. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. The least expensive method is gun drilling the bore and then using a button rifling machine without heat treat. This method requires a softer leaded steel alloy. This method delivers a decent barrel that will usually not require straitening. The disadvantage is a poorer internal finish and limited barrel life. Forged barrels are more expensive to make because this involves more steps and more expensive machines plus heat treating, honing and straightening. The typical steel alloy used is M32 or a ASME equivalent. This method offers a much more durable barrel with a superb internal finish, but at a higher cost. Obviously, this explanation can be more detailed, but that would be unnecessary to answer your question. If more detail is required, Google is your friend.

Hey Steve -

Thanks for the comments, but.
I don't agree that the M32 is used for "air gun" barrels. Maybe for .22 firearms, or other lower power firearms, but not for airguns.

Reasons -
1 - I've cut a few mid and high end, air gun barrels. Pretty soft, that is easy to cut. M32 is not so easy.
2 - Way too many people warn of using brass bristled brushes in air gun barrels so they ae not damaged. There would be, no...problem with this, if M32 was used. I have not tried the brass brushes, as I don't want to ruin any barrels.
But, I do have a short section of a barrel that I recently cut off. I'll get out my firearm brushes and small bore measuring tools and...give it a try...

My background is Aerospace and Automotive building. I have a reasonable understanding of a lot of standard materials, and a couple of not so standard materials. This is mostly the reason that I ask the question, just to gain more knowledge.

Thanks

Mike

 

[thammer]

TJ typically uses 4130 or 1020 for his hammerforged barrels.

 

[steve-l]

Hey Steve -

Thanks for the comments, but.
I don't agree that the M32 is used for "air gun" barrels. Maybe for .22 firearms, or other lower power firearms, but not for airguns.

Reasons -
1 - I've cut a few mid and high end, air gun barrels. Pretty soft, that is easy to cut. M32 is not so easy.
2 - Way too many people warn of using brass bristled brushes in air gun barrels so they ae not damaged. There would be, no...problem with this, if M32 was used. I have not tried the brass brushes, as I don't want to ruin any barrels.
But, I do have a short section of a barrel that I recently cut off. I'll get out my firearm brushes and small bore measuring tools and...give it a try...

My background is Aerospace and Automotive building. I have a reasonable understanding of a lot of standard materials, and a couple of not so standard materials. This is mostly the reason that I ask the question, just to gain more knowledge.

Thanks

Mike

You are correct about M32 not being used for air gun barrels, but that that was not your question. You asked about barrels, not air gun barrels. M32 is the preferred alloy for hammer forged barrels in the annealed state. It is the alloy Heckler & Koch uses on their firearms. After hammering they are then sent out for heat treatment, which often warps the barrels. After returning to the factory, they are inspected and straightened as necessary before final assembly.The advantage provided are barrels good for 25,000 rounds without wear. Air gun barrels do not require that level of durability because of the soft lead munitions , low heat of the propellent and low velocity. I would also like to know what fX uses as their barrels are also forged.

I do not thing a brass bore brush will damage an air gun barrel, nor do I think they are necessary either. A cotton or paper swab is more than enough for cleaning.