Bored and ambitious.. Barrel Polishing

[M&P_313]

So the other night I resolved my lead fouling issue that I thought was my finish chipping away ..and I kept thinking about having my barrel polished. Thats when I started searching the web and google images and I knew I wanted that barrel to shine! I have alot of experience working with Aluminum (many late nights, and polishing valve covers for weeks), and I still had some supplies around from my old polishing projects. So I took it upon myself to give it a whirl with stainless steel.. It was rough! I have a new respect for whatever they treat these slides and barrels with! It is NOTHING like paint.. I had no idea. But overall I'm very pleased with my efforts.



I did not do the whole thing. I had some serious hand cramps after 3 1/2 hours wet sanding and was limited on old supplies. Once I get my compressor hooked up I'm going to finish it 100% ..I think. But for now I love it! I faded the barrel from muzzle back, and polished the right side an top of the chamber. Left the LCI black to contrast a round in the chamber..

 

[erick1987]

very nice. what kind of polishing compound did you use?

 

[timn8er]

I polished the barrels on my 40c & my Shield 40, but I didn't get quite as ambitious as you did. I just polished what you can see through the slide & the very end. I thought maybe the black coating might have a little to do with cooling the barrel. Yeah, that's why I left it like that...laziness had nothing to do with it!

 

[Don 73]

I did that to my 3913, it came out really nice, the barrel looked like chrome, but then again, it didn't have the black coating like my 9c has ... that seems like too much work.

 

[M&P_313]

very nice. what kind of polishing compound did you use?

Thanks! After wetsanding I used the "Black Emery" compound that came with my polishing kit. Black emery is my favorite compound, it does alot of work for you. Even when working with something soft as aluminum the red and white compounds didn't do much for me.. So I never use them

 

[MSG Glenn]

I'm not badmouthing it but I have a question - why? Sure it looks good but I'd be hesitant taking off that protective layer for just a tiny bit of bling. It's hard to take off for a reason & that speaks well of S&W's trying to protect the barrels they produce.

If I had to have a shiny barrel I'd get it chrome plated after the melonite(?) was removed. Anything to add a layer of protection to the "stainless" steel.

 

[SmurfHunter]

Looks nice. I prefer the black for conceal.

 

[Rastoff]

Well, at least you solved your "chipping" problem. It is a very nice job.

I don't think S&W will warranty it anymore though.

 

[M&P_313]

I'm not badmouthing it but I have a question - why? Sure it looks good but I'd be hesitant taking off that protective layer for just a tiny bit of bling. It's hard to take off for a reason & that speaks well of S&W's trying to protect the barrels they produce.

If I had to have a shiny barrel I'd get it chrome plated after the melonite(?) was removed. Anything to add a layer of protection to the "stainless" steel.

I know where you're coming from.. When I had other semi-autos I wanted this look but they did not have stainless barrels. Another thing I considered was Robar's NP3 coating.. I guess I'm someone who can't just leave things alone lol. I want a set a Tru-Glo TFO sights for my M&P next, although I dont really need them..

I really enjoy gun ownership, It's turned into a nice hobby and I've made a few good friends along the way. I sleep easier at night knowing I am less likely to be the next victim you see on the news also At just 28 and growing up in the Detroit area and never attending church I should be pro union, pro gun control, pro Obama.. Pro Socialism.. Just like so many others who grew up like me. It kills me to see what these leftists have done to the car market and the cut back of big V8 rear-drive vehicles I have always loved.. I feel that my interest in gun ownership is important and I need to stay active and do whatever I can to keep them from taking this right from us, because you know thats ultimately what they want.. chip away piece by piece until eventually there's nothing left of our second amendment.. Sorry about the rant guys.. Have fun, Stay safe