As you can see, there are quite a few options in gun finishes, but what you ultimately choose will boil down to conditions you store and use your firearm, level of maintenance you can tolerate, and colors you prefer. Then You Should Be Concerned About the First. A firearm is an investment. Unlike a vehicle, a gun that’s protected with the right finish retains resale value no matter how many “miles” you’ve got on it. Titanium Nitride. Treated surfaces are hard and very wear-resistant with a decent amount of lubricity. Colors can be customized to a certain extent, so it is a good choice for those who want a thin, durable finish paired with color. That is due to the way phosphorus reacts with low carbon, which can cause embrittlement. That means its good inside the AR-15 or on the outside. Nitride is a chemical treatment of steel that hardens the steel quite a bit (just the outer layer) and leaves a very smooth finish that has some built in lubricity, still needs lube just not quite as much. Next, the workpiece is mechanically polished; typical polishing processes include vibratory finishing, lapping, and centerless grinding.Finally, the workpiece is re-immersed into the salt quench bath for 20 to 30 minutes, rinsed, and oil dipped. The finish acts to prevent metal to metal contact and serves as a reservoir for oil films. Phosphate vs Nitride These are two of the least expensive finishes available. First off, I am an amateur shooter and just enjoy doing this sort of thing on the weekends. The answer is … And easier to clean. In salt solution testing, it exceeded the 550-hour mark, which is well over minimal military standards. This is a chemical treatment to protect carbon steel from rust. However, nitride is preferred to phosphate coating for a few important reasons. It is also known as Liquid/Salt Bath Ferritic Nitrocarburizing (FNC) process. Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) M16 BCG Cerakote vs. Nitride The Corrosion Resistance King In a head-to-head test, Cerakote was put up against Nitride in a salt chamber to see which would be the most corrosion-resistant. Now, we must all fear evil men. Nitride is black and shiny. Nitride. Hot bluing is used most often in the manufacturers setting, resulting in a stunning blue-gray finish. That being said, our nitride barrel life span for average use is 12,000 rounds. Process. Manganese phosphate, the most commonly done at Anoplate, is often used on piston rings, cam shafts, gears and such as a protection against seizing of the surfaces and wear during the break-in periods. Cerakote, DuraCoat, and KG Gunkote are a few brand names on the spray-on gun coating list, but each differs in composition, and all cause a slight increase in dimensional thickness. Black River Tactical BRT OPTIMUM Barrels - 16" MPR, 14.5" MPC, 11.5" CQB, 9" PDW BRT OPTIMUM-S Barrel - 11.5" CQB Suppressor Gas Drive BRT OPTIMUM-S Barrel - 11.5" SB Suppressor, 11.5" SBT 25 Deg Tapered Shoulder Suppressor BRT Covert Comps 7.62, 5.56, 6X, 9mm BRT MarkBlue Gas Tubes - BRT EXT, EXC and PDW Lengths BRT EZTUNE Gas Tubes - CAR and MID BRT MicroPin Gas … Black Nitride goes by a few names, Ferritic Nitrocarburizing, Melonite, SBN "salt bath nitriding", QCP and Tenifer, that are all names for the same thing, the only difference would be Tenifer, this process is used in Europe with a different cyanide formulation bath "EPA wont allow that in the US". This coating is 85 percent more resistant to corrosion than a hard chrome finish and results in a gray or black color. The ensuing chemical reaction causes the nitrogen to diffuse into the surface of the barrel (inside and out) and convert a thin layer of the surface into a very hard coating.. This chemical coating requires no need for electrochemical reactions, leading to a more uniform finish. This finish is second only to diamonds in hardness. Dimensional increase. Ferritic Nitrocarburizing and the more effective version of it called Quench Polish Quench (Melonite, Tufftride or Tenifer,) are surface transformation treatments that result in no dimensional changes, so they are well suited for internal components. Cerakote is a Polymer-Ceramic composite that can be customized in a myriad of colors, offering excellent corrosion protection. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men. Stay up to date on all of our reviews, articles, sales, and giveaway winners! This transformation gives treated steel some corrosion protection but requires frequent oiling to keep rust at bay. The advantages of a phosphate vs nitride barrel is outlined here. Politifact Paints False Picture While Claiming Trump Paints False Picture, Kyle Rittenhouse Acted in Lawful Self Defense in Kenosha, Omaha Outdoors Announces GOA Round-Up Option. An iron-clad Cerakote finish might be your choice if you have a multitude of wet, dirty conditions to deal with or want to add personality to your gun with customized color combinations. Many firearm dealers are so confident in longevity of this finish that they offer lifetime workmanship warranties against peeling or cracking. Bluing of steel is a traditional way to protect firearms from corrosion while at the same time reducing glare. Mag phos typically has a matte grey finish. I use PSA 20 in CHF barrel one of my rifles and get about 1 to 1.5 groupings at 100 yrds non free floated. The nitriding process serves to enhance corrosion resistance on both the interior and exterior of the barrel. It’s also porous and will make cleaning more difficult. You should retry this using a 55gr cartridge instead. Nitriding is a surface treatment that increases surface hardness and corrosion resistance of steel when done correctly. Mega has 416R stainless barrels that are nitride treated. It withstands impact effectively and passes 300-hour spray-on salt exposure tests, which exceed military standards. Budget-conscious buyers who want something that works and can overlook some details like perfect finishing and dead-on accuracy and the other part of the conversation "...nitride is cheaper, better tolerances, easier to clean...". Only downside to nitride barrels are they do not break in over time, once you do you initial break in, the grouping you get is all your ever going to get until the barrel … A Pistol Brace Ban Will Happen Someday. Whichever you choose, each will provide an insurance policy on your investment to keep that firearm as usable and valuable as it was the day you bought it. 12 Best AR-15 Bolt Carrier Groups (BCG) 1. You’ll probably never see a blued AR barrel, because the military specified a more robust finish, which is the de facto standard: Manganese phosphate, one of several treatments that fall under the umbrella name of “Parkerizing” (after the Parker Rust-Proof Phosphating Company). ISONITE® QPQ (per SAE AMS 2753) is a high-performance variety of salt bath nitrocarburizing process. Melonite and nitride are the same thing and better than phosphate. It was slick and smooth. In both categories though, Nickel Boron has the edge over Nitride. https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem...=12%3a00+Email, Practical Nitriding and Ferritic Nitrocarburizing, https://www.asminternational.org/doc..._Chapter_1.pdf, http://phys.mech.nw.ru/e-journals/RA.../narayanan.pdf, Product Review - Firearms or Firearms Related Products, Marketplace Rules, Announcements and Member Feedback, If this is your first visit, be sure to This is by far the most popular and well-known finish to have on a bolt carrier group. Rust, from elements encountered in use or from storage in a humid environment, is like a disease that eats away at your investment. You Can’t Stop It. Phosphate is just fine, requires plenty of lube, but will last a long time. It is slightly more effective at corrosion resistance than bluing but requires frequent oiling to retain this attribute. Subscribe to our email list and get exclusive access to promotions, sales events and more! On the plus side, this type of treatment does not change dimension of the piece, so there’s no need for gun parts to accommodate that increase. It can be applied to many different surfaces and is one of the toughest, most durable finishes marketed today. It is used on HSS and carbide cutters. Each barrel was placed in the salt chamber and after just 8 hours the Nitride finish barrel began to show signs of corrosion. ... Nitride Coating. However, much like a car or truck, corrosion is a primary concern with firearms. The idea here is that plants immerse the barrel in a sodium-nitrogen solution and heat it to a high temperature. It’s low-friction and diffuses heat well, so it is perfect for intricate parts found in internal firearm components such as bolt carrier groups. Cold bluing changes color of steel to an attractive dark gray and is best used for small touch-ups or worn areas on a gun. Last but not least on the bluing list is rust or fume bluing. It … Nitride is even harder and more corrosion resistant than chrome lining and produces sharper rifling which increase accuracy. An alternative to bluing, this chemical phosphate conversion coating results in an anti-reflective gray to black finish with very little change in dimensions. It’s also one of the least expensive finishes on the market, so if you’re on a budget, and don’t mind keeping oiling rags handy, this might be the ideal choice. Phosphate. A wonderful positive of anodized metal is its porosity lends to better paint or glue adhesion, so much so that some guns are anodized before a spray-on color coat is applied. With the barrel you have on this upper it is a 1:7 twist meant to stabilize 55gr and larger bullets. one topic that always gets touched on is nitride is easier to clean and CP (chrome phosphate) holds oil better, but the discussion usually stops there even though the threads go on for multiple pages, but that is the major take away. If you are in need of a barrel nitriding service look no further! I know what you’re thinking. © 2019 Omaha Outdoors, LLC. Now let’s get on with our actual picks! Phosphate coating can be applied to both the barrel and bolt carrier group for rugged rifle components capable of operating in extreme situations. Treated parts increase in size, so adjustments must be made to accommodate that result. If you wish you could get a professional bluing finish on a gun you already own or one you are looking to purchase, Omaha Outdoors now offers a convenient hot bluing service. Nitride has many advantages but it is not mil-spec for BCGs and that is … It is achieved by an electrochemical reaction that changes iron to black oxide. Every firearm in your arsenal is vulnerable, as even sitting idle in a gun safe will take its toll on your cold hard steel. Isn’t titanium nitride a nitride coating? Instead of adding material to the bore (like Chrome lining), Nitride treats the existing steel by imbuing nitrogen into the steel itself. MIL-SPEC is manganese phosphate, which requires oil to provide excellent corrosion resistance on the outside of the barrel. •Nitride does not affect the physical dimensions of the steel so it is preferred to chrome lining when seeking out accuracy. Stainless steel barrels are used for long range accuracy. And easier to clean. Lack of Reliable Magazines Limit Hornady’s 6mm ARC Cartridge Offerings, Flash Sale – 10% Off EOTech – Expires 6/16/20, Concerned About the Second Amendment? And is easier to clean. Manganese phosphate is never used as a paint base. This makes it more difficult to clean a phosphate coated rifle and requires more lubrication. They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but a gun owner’s friend is most definitely a firearm with an anodized finish. Nickel Boron usually costs more than Nitride and that money goes to more performance. Can You Claim Self Defense While Committing a Crime in Wisconsin? An alternative to bluing, this chemical phosphate conversion coating results in an anti-reflective gray to black finish with very little change in dimensions. Also, there are several types of bluing methods used for different applications. check out the. DuraCoat is a two-step chemical coating engineered explicitly for firearms and is user-friendly for do-it-yourself gun owners. Phosphate is just basic parkerizing and will provide minimum corrosion resistance. It also requires less lubricant to work well and is easier to clean. Its corrosion resistance was proven by passing 500-hour salt exposure tests, so it’s a finish that handles just about anything. While Nickel Boron (NiB) is silver and shiny. An anodized finish is created by an electrochemical process similar to bluing, but results differ in one specific way. Watch this if you'd like to see the differences between Nickel Boron and your standard Black Nitride BCG. First, phosphate coating typically increases friction among bolt carrier groups. Nitride: Nitride is used to harden the metal which vicariously increases the lifespan of the barrel. However a phosphate BCG against a carbon steel or stainless steel barrel is not a good idea. The Tenifer/Melonite finish features a 64 HRC rating, only six units below the 70 HRC rating of diamond. No matter what conditions you put your firearm through, there is a finish out there that is ideal for your applications. Nitride has the edge when it comes to smoothness and hardness. Gun bluing will give you a classic blue-black look of a raven’s wing when oiled but keeps you chained to oil cans for the life of the weapon. It’s an investment in both personal and financial security, as nothing else on earth can protect you in a moment of danger yet hold its value well into the future. As a result of a vapor deposition process, these coatings offer a tough, micro-thin surface with great lubricity. Nickel Boron vs Nitride Both of these finishes are far ahead of phosphate as far as slickness and ease of clean up are concerned. The process starts with a standard salt bath nitrocarburizing cycle, which produces a layer of ε iron nitride. Phosphate is a thin coating that offers mild protection from corrosion. This might be part of the accuracy problem using a 52gr bullet for this upper. Chrome lined barrels are typically phosphate parkerized to protect the exterior steel from rusting, but this exterior finish does not offer the same level of corrosion resistance offered by the salt bath nitriding treatment. The trick is finding a coating that fits your lifestyle and personal tastes. Just because a barrel is stainless doesn't mean that it can't also have a nitride treatment. ... Chrome Lining vs. Salt Bath Nitriding: Which Barrel Finish Is Better? All Rights Reserved, Every Open Carrier Needs a Retention Holster, How to Respond to the ATF Pistol Brace Notice, What Gun Owners Might Expect From a President Biden and a Republican Senate, Despite Our Best Efforts, SHOT Show 2021 Is Still Happening. Omaha Outdoors is one such company, and as a bonus, they provide custom in-house colors you can’t get anywhere else. It is slightly more effective at corrosion resistance than bluing but requires frequent oiling to retain this attribute. Now, we must all fear evil men. 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