Colt slide material question

[bulletproof]

What type of steel is used to make Colt Goverment MK IV series 80 stainless pistol slide, and what process it involves - is it forged or machined from bar stock or cast, heat treated or not?
Just want to chose right steel for welding, to maintain the same color of the slide.

[JustinTime]

I'm not sure what quality of stainless steel Colt used on back then. I'm sure it is a rather poor grade of stainless stell. I can tell you for certain that the slide is forged. Good luck with everything else. One question. Do you have anyone that does plating there such as hard chrome. That is one option you would have if your welding material and the slide didn't match when your finished.

[paul45]

I'm sure it is a rather poor grade of stainless stell.

You know I am nosy, Justin.......why do you think that?? I really have no opinion or knowledge on this, just curious of your opinion........ :)

[bulletproof]

I'm not sure what quality of stainless steel Colt used on back then. I'm sure it is a rather poor grade of stainless stell. I can tell you for certain that the slide is forged. Good luck with everything else. One question. Do you have anyone that does plating there such as hard chrome. That is one option you would have if your welding material and the slide didn't match when your finished.
Hard chrome is not a problem, but I never heard it can be done on stainless steel. By the way does slide need to be hardened after welding - R. Heinie replayed in a message that it has to.

[Rich-D]

I'm not sure what quality of stainless steel Colt used on back then. I'm sure it is a rather poor grade of stainless stell.

You know I am nosy, Justin.......why do you think that?? I really have no opinion or knowledge on this, just curious of your opinion........ :)


Me To! I am also wondering about the "poor grade of stainless steel" issue.


Rich

[bulletproof]

What is the grade of that poor grade ? :)

[elijdub]

Hard chrome is not a problem, but I never heard it can be done on stainless steel. By the way does slide need to be hardened after welding - R. Heinie replayed in a message that it has to.
I'd talk to Virgil Tripp about ANY hard-chrome questions (above in the advertisement banner); he's the hard-chrome guru.
I'd trust absolutely ANYTHING that Richard Heine says about gunsmithing ;).

[MCMIX]

WOW the experts are stymied? What type of stainless is/has Colt used? My experience, the grade would be an A+. I wonder why anyone would want to hardchrome stainless when chromium is what defines stainless steel for the most part.

[Intercessor]

The bulk of the pistol is a 316 Series Ordnance grade stainless steel(not the barrel, I believe that is a 400/416 Series stainless). Its very high quality - and it can be hard chromed just like blue carbon steel can, it can also accept the super hard black Melonite finish.

To eliminate the galling, companies used 2 different hardnesses on the slide and frame. The same or similar hardness on the frame and slide produced galling, by making one a different hardness than the other, pretty much eliminated galling. Hard chrome on one or both pieces (frame/slide), enhances durability to mated sliding surfaces(slide and frame rails, and other heavy load bearing surfaces during the fire cycle).

Its not as hard and durable as blue carbon ordnance grade steel is, but its fairly close now days. I still prefer hard chromed blue carbon steel to stainless if thats the intended color.

Disclaimer: *NO Im not an 'expert'* ;)

[dakota1911]

You could always take a small sample to an analytical lab with an ICP/MassSpec and find out exactly what is there. I have no idea of the cost but it would most likely not be cheap.

[bulletproof]

Seems the only way to know for sure is to test in lab :)
Ok, one more, what is hardness in RC scale?

[MCMIX]

Stupid question but......has anyone tried calling Colt for the information?

[bulletproof]

No, 1 min = 3$, this is the call cost from my country. Will try to email them.

[larry starling]

I'm sure it is a rather poor grade of stainless steel
OK I'm in. What did you mean by this statement????

[daveohno]

He might be trying to get Hunter's goat with that statement. He enjoys trying his hand with OD*'s stick. :D

[Hill]

Lighten up!

He didn't say it was poor grade stainless steel. He said he was sure it was a poor grade of stainless stell.

Different thing entirely.

[bulletproof]

I'm glad he isn't sure any more. :D

[MCMIX]

Excellent! LOL!!!!





Lighten up!

He didn't say it was poor grade stainless steel. He said he was sure it was a poor grade of stainless stell.

Different thing entirely.