Blue steel vs stainless steel

[Ribwizzard]

Disregarding rust and exterior wear.
What are your thoughts between the two steels when it comes to the durability of the rifling, and machined areas of the action? If you shot 20000 rounds through a new 586, and a 686, do you think one would show mechanical wear before the other?

 

[joe44va]

I'd be really surprised to see any difference.

 

[Rpg]

I believe (but don’t have the reference) that the stainless steel used in Smith’s revolvers is softer than the carbon steel used in their blued guns.

The blued guns would be less subject to wear as a result eg in the rifling, and cylinder stops.

I suspect many internal parts use the same metal, so I wouldn’t expect those parts to show different wear.

 

[Ribwizzard]

Kind of where my thoughts are also

 

[squidsix]

In my experience with rifle shooting, stainless barrels will be more accurate than nitride barrels, all other things being equal.
Other than that, I can't imagine any difference besides that blued guns look awesome, and stainless guns are easier to work on, since the finish isn't an issue.

 

[reddog81]

At 20,000 rounds you'll have spent 5 to 10x as much on ammo as what the gun cost and either one will have minimal wear. I'm not a fan of the modern Blueing on the guns but I'm sure the metal will hold up just fine.

 

[rogerwnuss]

Blued guns, pretty
Stainless guns, more practical

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I actually never even think about it. Blue is prettier, nickel prettier than that, and I simply buy what I want when I want it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Blued guns, pretty
Stainless guns, more practical

^^^^^^^^ that .........

I've got both 686s and 586s as well as a 681 ....... stainless guns spend more time in the holster.

Don't think, short of abuse, I'll ever wear either one out.

 

[hkcavalier]

I believe the "prettiness" has to do with the polish, not the blue vs. stainless.

Polished blue/stainless/nickel/chrome are all much better looking than any matte or brushed finish.

 

[TTSH]

Love the look of both. 35 years ago, the majority of my S&W revolver buys were stainless ('cause it was the *in* thang back then). Now, I'm buying pre-IL S&W *blued* revolvers exclusively... go figure!

I'll never wear out either, but undeniable evidence is that I've got to worry about corrosion a whole lot more with blued revolvers than stainless revolvers.

 

[Ackley1952]

Stainless is harder to machine and therefore I believe it will be harder. Almost all benchrest barrels are stainless

 

[oysterer]

Blue carbon steel is harder than stainless. Stainless does not corrode as easily but is softer. After thousand of rounds I expect a barrel in stainless to be more worn out.

Carbon steel is also a little more brittle. It may crack easier. That relates to stainless being called tougher. It will withstand bending and impact better but it will deform, which does not help any gun application.

When you handle older stainless guns, they turn out to even feel softer, smoother and more worn in than their blue counterparts. This is all related to the softness.

I prefer blue steel guns. I do also love my 657 no dash but again, there is for sure a metallurgical difference in the materials and I would assume that also to be related to long-term barrel life, why would it not. Will I outshoot a stainless gun, probably not. You can research the differences in steels used for knife blades. Holding the edge is well studied between carbon and stainless, Carbon holding the edge longer but harder to sharpen.

 

[4barrel]

This is the only thread I have seen with no likes. I have a few of each and they would be for sale if the job didn't get done.

 

[oysterer]

here you go

 

[Sal1950]

I know this doesn't address your question but,
Stainless is super convenient in it's lack of needed maintainace, not rusting, etc.
But nothing looks as beautiful as a highly polished expertly blued handgun.

 

[ruger 22]

For practical purposes I believe either will last a very long time. I carry a 649-2 although I much prefer the look of a high gloss blued gun. Stainless reminds me of my cap guns when I was a kid.

 

[Texas Star]

According to an article by Dick Metcalf in, Shooting Times many years ago, stainless barrel throats resist erosion better than does blued steel.

However, this may depend on the particular alloy.

When Winchester introduced the very hot .220 Swift cartridge, barrels in rifles were stainless, to better resist erosion. I think that was the first use of stainless steel in guns.

 

[Imissedagain]

Not sure why but the X count, at 20yds offhand leaning against a tree, is higher with the blued S&Walther.
Might just be the blued gun provides a better .... Bond.

 

[F75gunslinger]

I would honestly say that either one, if cared for properly, will outlast the shooter. Rifles have a tendency to cause more throat erosion due to more gas pressure and higher powder loads. Most handguns don't operate at that level, so aren't prone to barrel wear like rifles are. There are handguns that have tens of thousands of rounds through them with minimal wear. If anything, the cylinder/yoke/extractor area will exhibit wear but as long as the barrel has been taken care of ( no bulges, proper cleaning etc. ) it shouldn't matter which material is chosen.