Gunsmithing Metallurgy of Modern Custom Builds

[Oddball Six]

I just thought for a few minutes tonight about how interesting it is all of the different materials and metals and new age composites, plastics, etc that go into some of our various builds.

Looking at one possible recent build, the various types of metallurgy present are themselves interesting in that they are all present together in the same overall platform.

Viper PST -- 6061-T6 Aluminum Tube
Badger Rings -- 4142 Carbon Steel
Badger ACI -- 4142 Carbon Steel Body/Mount
Surgeon 20MOA RSR Rail -- 4140 Carbon Steel
Surgeon RSR Repeater Reciever -- 416R Stainless Steel
Surgeon Double-Pinned Recoil Lug -- 416R Stainless Steel
Surgeon Bolt Body -- 4140 Carbon Steel
(According to Stephen, although spec sheet says nitrided 4130)
PTG Bolt Knob -- 7075-T6 Aluminum
B&C Medalist Stock -- 6061-T6 Aluminum Chassis
CDI Precision DBM -- 6061-T6 Aluminum
Harris Bipod -- Cant find authoritative answer

To which we often add Devcon steel epoxy compound for bedding, various fibrous composites as part of the stock, glass and bits for the scope components, often the bipod is a few different materials, the trigger assembly often involves small amounts of several different metals, etc.

Its amazing how something as "simple" as a rifle can demonstrate complexity in materials and craftsmanship.

 

[SurgeonPredator]

Re: Metallurgy of Modern Custom Builds

As long as there is no electrochemical corrosion...


Most of the materials you mentioned are Chrome-Molybdenum alloys with < 0.50% Carbon. Pretty common steel with a balanced cost-benefit factor. No surprise in the arms market.

Aluminium (or Aluminum as you guys call it) has become more popular in the last years, because it can be quite tough, is corrosive resistant, light and easy to machine.

More interesting is the use of carbonfibre, titanium and even Magnesium.

I used to machine 1.4301 (X5CrNi18-8) or 1.4440 and 1.2379 (X153CrMoV12) for 3-piece rim rings or 1.2842 (90MnCrV8) for deep drawing/ metal spinning tools.

Only had the chance to machine "high-tech" materials once. Titanium for racing rim rings. Most the racing stuff was made from aluminium or Al-molds for carbon fiber.

Metallurgy is a fascinating topic. Especially in the firearms industry and the constant developments of new products.

 

[tpryder]

Re: Metallurgy of Modern Custom Builds

I've taken several blueprinting and geometric dimensioning courses while I was getting my machinist certification. Metallurgy sounds interesting, but its closely related to chemistry. I've had to hold my eyelids open during several metallurgy lectures.

 

[excess]

Re: Metallurgy of Modern Custom Builds

I started my engineering career in the heavy truck industry. A common truck of ours was mostly steel and cost about $80,000. I left there and went to work for a major defense company on fighter planes. My first day we had a design review for a titanium wing part that cost $80,000 and was small enough for me to pick up. It was certainly an eye opener on advanced materials and budgets.

 

[Oddball Six]

Re: Metallurgy of Modern Custom Builds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I started my engineering career in the heavy truck industry. A common truck of ours was mostly steel and cost about $80,000. I left there and went to work for a major defense company on fighter planes. My first day we had a design review for a titanium wing part that cost $80,000 and was small enough for me to pick up. It was certainly an eye opener on advanced materials and budgets. </div></div>

I am not at all surprised. Ive done some work for a certain firm who made some parts for things launched into space.

My first day walking through the "inner" facility, the guy onboarding me walks me through one of the assembly rooms and picks up a tray from a table near the wall. On it are 3 bolts. They look a little funny, kind of a color somewhere between a light gold and the usual silver. I'm thinking its some kind of heat treated material or titanium or something.

Trying to impress me, he asks me how much I thought what he was holding was worth. Knowing of course that it was a trick and I was liable to under-estimate it, 3 bolts about an inch and a half long and maybe a half inch thick with some strong threading? I guessed a few hundred dollars.


There was $30,000 in those 3 bolts on that tray.


To this day I don't know what they were made of (he didnt say, and I knew enough not to ask) but the money I damn sure understood

I don't know a whole lot about metallurgy, but I sure can appreciate the beauty in the materials and the crafting that goes into modern custom rifles.

Especially right after the copper bullets go down range.