Official Spikes questions/comments thread (new Spikes posts go here)

[Mr.Goodtimes]

This is now the official Spikes questions/comments/rants/raves/fanboy/hater etc Spikes thread. All new Spikes posts go here, any new threads will me merged into this thread.--staff


im gonna buy a new barrel. spikes informed me they would be selling these as a barrel only in a few weeks for $399 and they come w/ a pinned FSB.

spikes makes good stuff but, these barrels arent chrome lined, they are melonite coated inside and out. spikes claims great barrel life but, i would like to know what the M4C take on these are?

should i go with the melonite spikes barrel? my other option is either, another complete upper or a stainless barrel, as its virtually impossible to find a good chrome lined barrel these days.

[DRich]

Melonite is the trade name for a type of nitrocarburizing. It's similar to the Tenifer treatment that Glock uses for their slides. It does increase resistance to wear and corrosion. I have several pistols coated in Melonite, but only the exterior surfaces.

Hard chrome has a Rockwell hardness value between 70 and 74. Melonite's hardness value is between 55 and 62.

Whether this creates a practical difference in quality or longevity is anyone's guess. Personally, I'd stick to hard chrome. It's a proven winner. Time will tell if Melonite is up to the task.

[Sarge45]

Just be aware that if the Melonite is similar to what Smith and Wesson uses on their M&P line, the barrel can be subject to rust without warning. Melonite isn't like the Tennifer Glock uses and I would not count on it as a substitute for a good finish maintenance program.

[Thomas M-4]

Here is an article http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/

[Col_Crocs]

Melonite is the trade name for a type of nitrocarburizing. It's similar to the Tenifer treatment that Glock uses for their slides. It does increase resistance to wear and corrosion. I have several pistols coated in Melonite, but only the exterior surfaces.

Hard chrome has a Rockwell hardness value between 70 and 74. Melonite's hardness value is between 55 and 62.

Whether this creates a practical difference in quality or longevity is anyone's guess. Personally, I'd stick to hard chrome. It's a proven winner. Time will tell if Melonite is up to the task.

True! Still good old hard chrome for me. Plus it doesnt take much for melonite to come off. Check out the M&P forums. Some guys have taken the finish off with just vinegar.
My M&P40C had less than 150 rounds through it when the ramp started to look bare. I polished the rest of the ramp with a mag/wheel polish which took the remaining finish off leaving a slick chrome-like finish.

[Mr.Goodtimes]

im gonna stay away from the melonite for just simply because its not something i need, especially the pretty finish, its just gonna get painted over so...

[sniperfrog]

True! Still good old hard chrome for me. Plus it doesnt take much for melonite to come off. Check out the M&P forums. Some guys have taken the finish off with just vinegar.
My M&P40C had less than 150 rounds through it when the ramp started to look bare. I polished the rest of the ramp with a mag/wheel polish which took the remaining finish off leaving a slick chrome-like finish.

I understand that melonite is a treatment not really a finish so if the black color wears off you still have all the same properties of the melonite there.

[Col_Crocs]

I understand that melonite is a treatment not really a finish so if the black color wears off you still have all the same properties of the melonite there.

Thanks for pointing that out. I didnt know that.

[Stickman]

Guys, try to remember that melonite/ tennifer is a treatment, and that it can be applied different ways. When done correctly, it is fantastic. Think of getting your car painted by a kid learning a spray gun, then think of someone who has done custom work for 30 years. Both are spraying paint, but produce very different results.

I've mentioned before that I have a prototype melonite treated barrel from 5 years or so ago that has seen a heavy and abusive round count. It is still shooting good enough groups, and has been impressive in its service. Its currently being borrowed by another LEO as his duty upper.


Don't take the S&W issues and think that is how Melonite is supposed to be done.

I've got one of the Spike's Tactical CHF uppers, I've started a review on it, and will update as I get the time. The upper is getting borrowed by some .mil buddies for them to shoot as well.

Spikes Tactical CHF upper review (WEVO)

[Singlestack Wonder]

True! Still good old hard chrome for me. Plus it doesnt take much for melonite to come off. Check out the M&P forums. Some guys have taken the finish off with just vinegar.
My M&P40C had less than 150 rounds through it when the ramp started to look bare. I polished the rest of the ramp with a mag/wheel polish which took the remaining finish off leaving a slick chrome-like finish.

Just be aware that if the Melonite is similar to what Smith and Wesson uses on their M&P line, the barrel can be subject to rust without warning. Melonite isn't like the Tennifer Glock uses and I would not count on it as a substitute for a good finish maintenance program.

If rust is occurring on M&P barrels then they ARE NOT Melonite treated (or they missed something in the process). Melonite is the U.S. version of tennifer without the use of cyanide and other more hazardous chemicals used in the process. Melonite QPQ (Quench, Polish. Quench) provides the smoothest surface vs. just Melonite. There are many examples of Melonite'd firearms being chained in ocean saltwater for 6 months to a year with zero corrosion occuring. I have several 1911's that have the Melonite QPQ finish on everything including the barrel. One pistol has 20K+ rounds thru it now and neither the barrel, frame, or slide shows any wear. My body chemistry is such that if I touch a blued pistol and it is not wiped down with oil, within an hour rusty fingerprints appear. When I used to play ipsc, my hard chrome race guns would rust from my grip. The Melonite'd pistols mentioned above, have never shown any sign of rust. After a session at the range, they go in the bag and stay there until the next session. In regards to the comment about someone "rubbing off the Melonite with vinegar", BS. Melonite is a metal treatment, not a coating like hard chrome or worse yet, a painted finish.

The only concern I would see with a Melonite'd AR barrel would be that the treatment provider can insure that the entire inside of the barrel receives equal exposure to the process.