Negatives of hard chroming a barrel

[MAGNUMMAN]

I am thinking of hard chroming a G17 barrel for asthetic purposes. Are there any negatives I should be aware of?

[CCV]

Cost

[JWP]

fit

[MAGNUMMAN]

Originally posted by JWP
fit What do you mean exactly?

[vrsc]

No problems for me!! Just get it chromed from a reputable chromer

[Pierre!]

Hello All,

I have been thinking about this for a bit... and perhaps it's time to weigh in...

Haven't heard too many folks chroming a barrel after the manufacturing process. I would be concerned for really only one reason.

We worry about lead build-up in the Glock OEM barrels. Is it then a concern when we add a "permanent" build-up?? I would assume that any way you look at it, it would *decrease* any safety margin that was built into the original product.

Of course, hard chrome is known to have additional lubricity which may negate the few added mils of ID on the barrel...

And, perhaps I am waaaaay outta line to even suggest such a thing. I KNOW that AR-15's come with "chrome lined" barrels all the time. BUT it's performed in the manufacturing process, and I honestly don't know if the extra few mils of material are accounted for in the production process.

I guess I haven't hear of too many people hard chroming a barrel, and ass-u-me(d) that the tolerance factor would be the reason.

Don't know how the Glock chamber lockup would be affected either... that may also be a concern....

I have buffed out my stock G34 barrel simply for asthetics, so I DO relate to the asthetics considerations... the CONTRAST of the shiny barrel with the Glock finish is pretty cool... but if anything was altered, I only reduced the exterior dimensions ever so slightly.

And Hey - I may be crying wolf here. Perhaps they will not touch the interior of the barrel at all?!?!

Anyway, hope this helps and bottom line I may get *educated* which is alway agreeable to me!

Good Luck, and I would love to see the pics and learn more about the process if you do get the barrel hard chromed!

Merry Christmass!

[VN350X10]

Hard chrome isn't the same as your cars bumpers ! It tends to be a dull finish, eg. the Ruger "Target Grey" rifle finish is really hard chrome over stainless steel.

A Glock barrel is generally a loose enough fit in the slide that lock up shouldn't be affected, in fact it might tighten things up a bit, but if your pistol is on the tight side of tolerance, it may require re-fitting.
As a general rule, the hard chrome shouldn't be applied to the bore, as it can add up to .002" to a dimension.

Another point, the hard chrome isn't as hard a finish as Tennifer, so why don't you just polish off the black oxide that's on the stock barrel & then decide what you want to do. The oxide only serves to help hold oil a bit better & is mostly cosmetic.

Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish will give a very high polish, but will take a bit of effort & time.



uncle albert

[Jack23]

I have asked this question on other forums and never gotten any response. Lemme ask it in here and see if I can get some info. THANKS.

I have seen numerous Glocks etc with slides and barrels that have been hard chromed. As I understand the process it involves very hight heat.

As we all remember from our 7th grade science class, metal, when it is heated changes size and shape. So...I'm left with the question, how can you get away with hard chroming a pistol's slide or other precision parts?

[VN350X10]

Hard chroming or even regular decorative chrome plating doesn't involve temps high enough to harm or soften steel. The temp of the chromic acid bath is only around 275-325 f. if I remember correctly, & the nickel underneath chrome plating is done electrolyitacly(sp).
Hard chrome is applied to a lot of different types of tooling & doesn't affect the heat treatment.

FWIW, "chrome" is actually clear, it's the buffed & polished nickel underneath that provides the color. Left unprotected, nickel will eventually turn a yellowish color.


uncle albert

[Custom Glock Racing]

No real downsides. Go for it.

[Jack23]

Originally posted by VN350X10
Hard chroming or even regular decorative chrome plating doesn't involve temps high enough to harm or soften steel. The temp of the chromic acid bath is only around 275-325 f. if I remember correctly, & the nickel underneath chrome plating is done electrolyitacly(sp).
Hard chrome is applied to a lot of different types of tooling & doesn't affect the heat treatment.

FWIW, "chrome" is actually clear, it's the buffed & polished nickel underneath that provides the color. Left unprotected, nickel will eventually turn a yellowish color.


uncle albert

thanks a heap there Uncle A! :thumbsup: I appreciate you taking the time to clue me in. I had a feeling it was something like that. If it was actually harmful to hardchrome a gun I don't expect there'd be so many folks gettin' it done.