Nitriding gun parts other than barrels, frames, & slides?

Naphtali · #1 10-13-2018, 03:23 PM

I have several Winchester and Winchester reproduction traditional lever action rifles, some of which are stainless steel. Functionally, I find them smoother and easier to operate than my [JM] Marlin 1895s that have been improved in fit and function by a Marlin specialist gunsmith. The Winchesters are also a pain to clean - with or without my MCTD autoimmune illness - again, compared with my Marlin 1895s.

I notice that handgun manufacturers and some manufacturers of semiautomatic legal clones of military automatic rifles furnish guns with nitrided parts. Usually these parts are major ones, such as barrels, frames, and slides. I have also read a very small number of posters on gun-oriented forums mention having their rifle barrels nitrided. These posters appear to be satisfied with quality of the after-market work done, and also its functionality.

1. Can smaller action parts of my lever action rifles be safely and reliably nitrided? When nitrided, will action parts warp or distort or become too brittle or some other serious long-term problem?

2. Can I specify surface color of nitrided parts among black/charcoal gray, silver, gold, other? If I can, do properties of nitride in/on a part change significantly?

3. As best you can, please recommend after-market nitriding businesses with whom you or good acquaintances have done business.