S&W Melonite coated barrel vs Noveske chrome lined barrel.

[An Undocumented Worker]

God dammit, Spikes Tactical!


-B

The Spike's Tactical Melonite CHF Upper is identical to the ST LE Uppers, but utilizes a Cold Hammer Forged barrel that substitutes the Mil-spec standard phosphate coating and chrome lining

If they are using the exact same unfinished barrels and just meloniting them, I would be hesitant to purchase them. Unlike Chrome, Melonite does not change the dimensions of the part. So if they took a standard unfinished barrel that was manufactured with the intention of being chrome lined, then the bore would be too large in diameter after being melonited.

From what I gather they would need the barrels manufactured on a different mandrel that was designed to produce a barrel that would see no dimensional changes during the finishing process. If they want to do it right.

I don't know if Spike's took these differences into account when getting these barrels made, but their description does nothing to make it seem like they did.

[Dirtyboy333]

If they are using the exact same unfinished barrels and just meloniting them, I would be hesitant to purchase them. Unlike Chrome, Melonite does not change the dimensions of the part. So if they took a standard unfinished barrel that was manufactured with the intention of being chrome lined, then the bore would be too large in diameter after being melonited.

From what I gather they would need the barrels manufactured on a different mandrel that was designed to produce a barrel that would see no dimensional changes during the finishing process. If they want to do it right.

I don't know if Spike's took these differences into account when getting these barrels made, but their description does nothing to make it seem like they did.

That's an excellent observation and point. I didn't read the description that carefully.

Im very interested to hear more on this. I've never owned a ST product but was just about to give them the "GTG" nod of approvement with all the great specs their claiming lately. If they did infact "look over" this aspect then it would add weight to the position that Gr and others were making in the Spikes upper thread about how "using great specs and materials doesn't necessarily make you "as good as" other known players like DD/BCM".

[BAC]

Yep, I share the same dimensional concerns. Tomorrow I'll drop them an email to ask about the process, and will report back here what they say. However, if done right, that's an attractive little SOB for an SBR.


-B

[Dirtyboy333]

Yeah that will be an attractive SBR. I wouldn't mind buying a nitrided 18" if they offer it. I haven't yet checked but I will.

[wolf_walker]

LE uppers are not CHF, do ask them but I take "exact" in this case to mean the same basic format.

[Dirtyboy333]

Oh, well then it's a whole different barrel altogether so it's probably fine.

Is there a way that an average Joe can determine if a barrel has an oversized bore for CL or do you need extremely special instruments for that?

[Ring]

would it be wrong to SBN a brovocompany hammer forged chrome lined barrel?

[Fabius]

I'd be shocked if Spikes Tactical overlooked such a basic factor. One of the reasons for using melonite treatment is to simplify the manufacturing process and avoid the dimensional issues that chrome lining can cause.

[Dirtyboy333]

would it be wrong to SBN a brovocompany hammer forged chrome lined barrel?

I honestly can't answer that for ya but my gut feeling is that you can't/shouldn't . I'm just not sure of and have never seen a CL & nitride barrel. I wonder if the CL'ing would dimensionally change.....I also wonder how the CL would take or "absorb" the treatment.....Can hard chrome be hardened more than it already is?

[Merle]

If they are using the exact same unfinished barrels and just meloniting them, I would be hesitant to purchase them. Unlike Chrome, Melonite does not change the dimensions of the part. So if they took a standard unfinished barrel that was manufactured with the intention of being chrome lined, then the bore would be too large in diameter after being melonited.

Yea I'm sure that Smith and Wesson has no idea about such things. They have only been making firearms since last night.