Advise on Accuracy of Stainless versus Blue Steel Models Please

[graydog]

Hi
Can anyone out there tell me if there is a difference in the accuracy of a Smith & Wesson revolver between the blue steel models and the stainless steel models? The reason I ask is I saw a post where a fellow claimed the model 617 in not as accurate as the model 17 and he claimed that is because of the metal. Is there any truth in this?

Thanks Graydog

 

[Pilgrim]

If the guns are made the same, then the metal doesn't count in it's accuracy.

If one is less accurate than the other it's because of the manufacturing, not the steel or stainless steel.

 

[Texas Star]

I've heard this tale for years, usually told by people who don't own stainless guns. I've had a number of both and think the accuracy is more an issue of the individual gun than of the steel.

Certainly, I've shot no blued gun any more accurate than my stainless ones. That holds for Rugers, too. And it extends back to when I got my first M-60 in the late 1960's.

I much appreciate the ease of maintenance of stainless guns.
In Texas in August, they're a wonderful thing to have. At sea or in the tropics, blue and nickle don't fare nearly as well.

The late Bill Jordan, famous gun writer, once told me that he thought that stainless was the greatest advance in firearms technology in the 20th Century. It's certainly right up there with whatever else might qualify!

The first time that you pay to refinish a blued gun (and hope that the blue job doesn't eventually turn a plum color!), you'll like stainless really well, I think!

T-Star

 

[stevieboy]

I own both blued and stainless and I see no difference in inherent accuracy. I've never read anything suggesting that stainless guns are less accurate than blued.

 

[Alk8944]

The stories about Carbon Steel barrels being more accurate than Stainless Steel began many years ago when manufacturing processes for Stainless had not yet been developed, or the alloys currently used for forearms. At that time, 1950s, there was some truth to this assertion as the Stainless being used then did not machine well with the then current machining techniques causing many Stainless barrels to not be as smooth or precise in dimension as carbon steel barrels could be. As a result Stainless Steel barrels of that period often were not as accurate as carbon steel ones. With improved alloys and machining methods adapted to these alloys this is no longer the case. As a result most barrels used for bench-rest competition, where accuracy is everything, are now made of Stainless Steel alloys.

 

[kscardsfan]

I've never seen a carbon steel 1911 barrel and never seen one that wouldn't shoot. I think its another old wives tale that gets passed on from generation to generation. I prefer the look of blued, but stainless is undoubtedly better for honest to god use.

 

[carbofan21]

does kart use stainless steel for their 1911 barrels? the barrel in my les baer is blued, but i don't know if it is carbon steel per se

in any case, i have to agree with texas star. i'd say it depends on the manufacturing tolerances of the gun, and the steel used doesn't factor in.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Barrel accuracy has noting to do with whether it is chrome moly 414 or stainless 416 - the two most common barrel steels. Accuracy is impacted by the processes used during the barrel making process, specifically the rifling and the tolerance held during the rifling and chambering. The reason most higher dollar barrels are now produced in stainless is because it is more resistant to flame cutting and yields a longer accuracy life. carbonfan 21 - stainless cannot be blued it can only be coated. kascardsfan - you have never seen a carbon steel 1911 barrel? If you have ever seen a 1911 produced prior to 1970 chances are it was carbon steel.

 

[Mule88]

Ive owned both blued and SS models over the years and there is absolutley no differences in accuracy between blued and Stainless models. Or strength for that matter.

 

[fyimo]

I concur with the statements above that there is no difference caused by the steel whether stainless or carbon. The differences are caused by the manufacturing process and how worn the tool is that bored the barrel. This is the same with rifle barrels as well.

 

[NFrameFred]

Besides a decent trigger, the loose nut behind the grips usually has more to do with accuracy than anything else . . .

 

[kscardsfan]

I'm only 25, so the only pre-1970 1911's I've ever really seen were WWII era guns, and the people I know who have them don't consider them to be shooters. I always owned stainless barreled 1911's and thought they worked/shot just fine for the purpose.
EDIT: I just checked over my pistol (not revolver) collection, and as far as I can tell, all of them have stainless bbls on them.

 

[H Richard]

If so, then why are all the 1000 yard bench-rest rifles wearing stainless barrels?

 

[sunday bill]

Yeah, and the "new" stainless knife blades may "take" an edge, but won't "hold" it.

Shooting Shorts or any lead-colored 22 bullets will ruin your barrel.

They're dropping rattlesnakes/coyote/lady bugs (take your pick) out of helicopters for various foolish reasons.

That feller better pack his lunch with ol Sacre Bleu if he's gonna hang around long enough to embarass any of several name-brand stainless pistolas regarding accuracy.

I don't notice any difference.

 

[Dave T]

I've owned and shot handguns with both materials used for he barrels, etc. If you have a Randsom Rest and want to waste a bunch of ammo, I'd be willing to bet you will find as much if not more variation from one individual gun to another, than between a 24 Smith and a 624 Smith.

Dave

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I just checked over my pistol (not revolver) collection, and as far as I can tell, all of them have stainless bbls on them.

How can you tell?

 

[firearmsunlimited]

If so, then why are all the 1000 yard bench-rest rifles wearing stainless barrels?

Clearly most 1000 yd. bench guns are chambered for over bored calibers that have a propensity to flame cut the throats of the chambers in a very short period of time. As I previously stated, for barrel life, stainless is the choice of preference. Additionally, since the best known barrel manufacturers cater to the bench rest community, who prefer stainless for all calibers, many have ceased the manufacture of carbon steel barrels.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

I've owned and shot handguns with both materials used for he barrels, etc. If you have a Randsom Rest and want to waste a bunch of ammo, I'd be willing to bet you will find as much if not more variation from one individual gun to another, than between a 24 Smith and a 624 Smith.

Dave

Absolutely +1

 

[firearmsunlimited]

How can you tell?

If you have shot enough, studied cause and effect of bullet impact and read a target it would be clear.

 

[Bendutro]

Ive owned both blued and SS models over the years and there is absolutley no differences in accuracy between blued and Stainless models. Or strength for that matter.

I can assure you that the ductility, toughness and UTS are very different between them. If you're approaching the plastic range of either, you have bigger problems though.

Yeah, and the "new" stainless knife blades may "take" an edge, but won't "hold" it.

There are more stainless alloys than you can shake a stick at. Some of the garden variety you find in low end kitchen sets will not maintain an edge for very long at all. The 154CM and S30V alloys are fantastic though.