I have two brand new match barrels in lightweight contours, either of which would be perfect for my Ruger No. 1 project. I know that lightweight match barrels is an oxymoron... trust me, it's a long story.
My plans for the Ruger are for a complete custom which doesn't include a shiny barrel.
Since I'm thirty years out of date on a lot of this, is there any hope?
Thanks,
Dick Wright
Posts: 669 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 27 March 2014
The general answer is yes but "blueing" may be a misnomer. There are processes to blacken Stainless Steel. I have never tried one but they are all advertised as a black oxide process and offered both in shop and for "home" use.
Dave
In 100 years who of us will care? An armed society is a polite society! Just because they say you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you.
The Nylite style black matte baked on teflon finish works well on stainless and looks good to me. The last two I had done cost about $200 One of them was a Ruger with the ultra shiny finish. Talk to your smith.
Posts: 3174 | Location: Warren, PA | Registered: 08 August 2002
As DR said, yes, SS can be blued but not with the same salts as used for carbon steel. . If you want it painted, then you can go as Mike says; there are several products out there for that (paint).
Posts: 17440 | Location: USA | Registered: 02 August 2009
But Dick, people use stainless steel because it is resistant to rusting. Perhaps you could trade one or both of your stainless barrels for the rusting kind.
.
Posts: 10900 | Location: North of the Columbia | Registered: 28 April 2008
The black oxide finish for stainless steel offered by both Unico of Milwaukee and Dilute is a black passivation process. It is NOT rust blue nor the same black oxide (rust) finish they use for standard steels. You cannot rust blue stainless steel because stainless steel does not rust the same way that standard steels do.
quote:
BLACK PASSIVATION (BLACK PASSIVATE) is better known as "Black Oxide Class 2, Black Oxide Class 3, or Black Oxide Class 4" for corrosion resistant steel alloys. It is a conversion coating that produces a uniform, attractive, and non-reflective black finish on stainless steels. It provides a permanent black color with exceptional strength and elasticity. The finish does not chip, peel, craze, or rub off and provides good resistance to wear and abrasion. The coating reduces friction of moving parts, preventing galling and scoring. Improved corrosion resistance is obtained and there is a negligible .00001 - .00003 dimensional change.
The blacking of stainless done by the various companies mentioned is very attractive and provides excellent protection. But the OP said, "...I want good walnut and rust blued metal". You cannot get that with stainless steel.
.
Posts: 10900 | Location: North of the Columbia | Registered: 28 April 2008
Joel Dorleac sent me pictures of a blued stainless rifle that he built some time ago. If I can find the CD, I'll post them here. The rifle was blued by a company called Boener in Germany, and it looked as close to traditional rust blues as anything I've seen pictures of. Joel is a nice guy to talk to, and he is good friends with many eminent US gunsmiths. You could email him and ask, too, if you'd like to.
Mehul Kamdar
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."-- Patrick Henry
A stainless barrel run through the hot blueing will turn grey. In a discussion with a metallurgist a while ago he said it should be possible to plate the stainless with iron (plug the bore) and then use favorite blue. Getting the iron to adhere may be an issue if the plating company has no experience doing it. May take several tries to get right. Plan on it being stupid expensive.
Mark
Posts: 1248 | Location: Arizona | Registered: 09 January 2005
Dick, you may remember that I had the Hart Stainless steel barrel on my 300 "blued". It did come out quite similar to rust blueing and was done by a company called Heatbath Corp. if I recall correctly. I think they were located in ohio and I'll try locating them for you.
Edward Lundberg
Posts: 348 | Location: Colorado Springs, CO | Registered: 13 July 2007
Butch, I have two lightweight stainless steel match barrels here. I think they are number two's.
They are both stamped "SS". I can't imagiine a custom rifle with good wood, a great stock and a shiny barrel. Thanks but no thanks. The whole gun will be rust blued.
I'm going to order a chrome moly barrel from Douglas today. I had really good luck with their barrels when I was shooting BR.
Dick Wright
Posts: 669 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 27 March 2014
