The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

.

Apart from appearance what difference does stainless steel
have over other gun barrel steel? I know the difference between
stainless and other steels but why would I choose stainless as
a material for a rifle barrel?

ozone

.

For starters, and this may be being obvious but surely:

It's aversion to rusting, consequently pitting inside the barrel is vastly reduced.

Ease of machining coupled with better corrosion resistance.

It looks pretty....

Its Shiney.......

What do you mean by stainless steel? All steels will corrode eventually, but there are many types of "stainless" around. The magnet test is interesting: if you apply a magnet to my Euroarms Rogers & Spencer revolver, some parts of it are magnetic and some are not. The barrel and cylinder are magnetic, indicating that this is a hardenable steel with a high chrome content. The frame is non-magnetic, indicating that it is an austenitic steel---the austenite cannot be converted to martensite---and hence it will not harden.
Some real expert needs to step in and explain the different types of stainless barrel steels and their relative advantages---they are certainly not all the same.
Fred

*shameless plug*

We's a metallurgist are us, and are scheduled to do a lecture on the subject of barrel steels later this year at the Royal Armouries. Keep an eye out for further details...

Generally speaking, 400 series stainless steels are non-magnetic, but 300 series stainless are. I believe most stainless barrels are 440 stainless?

.

Cheers guys.

So if a barrel can become worn from constant use
and in need of replacement, does stainless wear
similar to other steel?

If the only advantage is resistance to rust, corrosion
or pitting does the barrel last longer then a similar type
of barrel in other materials?

ozone

.

.

Also has carbon fiber ever been used as a barrel?

ozone

.