Josh Aston
Member
Anyone know what some of the more common alloys that are used to make firearm barrels are? Also would 8620 serve as a decent alloy for a barrel or no?
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What alloy are barrels made of?
- Thread starter Josh Aston
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CypherNinja
Member
Dunno about 8620, but 4130, 4150, 4340 and the like are pretty common.
EDIT: My understanding is that stainless barrels are generally 416.
EDIT: My understanding is that stainless barrels are generally 416.
bogie
Member
Alloy?
It's a good alloy! It can handle high pressure, is easily machinable, all that other rubbish.
Now, if you would kindly tell us what bloody KIND of bloody barrel you are talking about, instead of just saying "barrel' - well, that would be a help. Otherwise, it's just completely useless.
For something that isn't completely useless, please see below. We bought a whole bloody lot of the stuff to do these things with, and it's still taking up most of my living room.
It's a good alloy! It can handle high pressure, is easily machinable, all that other rubbish.
Now, if you would kindly tell us what bloody KIND of bloody barrel you are talking about, instead of just saying "barrel' - well, that would be a help. Otherwise, it's just completely useless.
For something that isn't completely useless, please see below. We bought a whole bloody lot of the stuff to do these things with, and it's still taking up most of my living room.
machinisttx
Member
8620 would make a pretty poor barrel. I haven't worked with that particular alloy, but it appears to be at it's best when case hardened, rather than the through hardening of normal barrel alloys.
IIRC, 8620 is what the GI issue M14 receiver was made from.
IIRC, 8620 is what the GI issue M14 receiver was made from.
nicholst55
Member
At least in WWII, machine gun barrels were made from 4150 alloy, as it it a bit more resistant to heat erosion than 4140. I dunno if that is still the case, because there have been tremendous improvements in metallurgy since then.
Alloys have to be chosen specifically because they will get annealed in heavy firing. They must have good "dead soft" characteristics. Most firearm parts are specifically not heat treated because of the loss in strength if fired too much. "Case Hardening" is a cosmetic treatment, not a major strength enhancer.
I think the reason there is so little talk about alloy composition is they are so mundane. Now, high end knife blades, that's a completely different subject. A Paul Bos heat treated S30V blade demands a premium.
What's funny is the general public thinks knives have simple steels, and guns must have exotic high alloys, when it's actually the opposite.
I think the reason there is so little talk about alloy composition is they are so mundane. Now, high end knife blades, that's a completely different subject. A Paul Bos heat treated S30V blade demands a premium.
What's funny is the general public thinks knives have simple steels, and guns must have exotic high alloys, when it's actually the opposite.
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