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Indian Outlaw · March 21, 2009, 08:40 AM

I don't like stainless for 19th Century (-designed) revolvers. It looks funny to me. And stainless steel is noticeably softer, at least the stainless used in firearms. If you don't believe me, and you have a couple of old junker guns to tinker with, take some emery paper (320 grit will work well) and run it down the length of a stainless barrel, back and forth. Now do the same with a carbon steel barrel. Unless the carbon steel is total crap (Armi san Marco?), it should be harder to shave with the paper. I once "touched up" a S&W stainless revolver with some 320 grit, followed by 600 and 1500. I was pretty shocked at how easily the steel came off. Before I knew it, I had gone too far. Surface hardness may not matter to you, however. If that's the case, then disregard this.

March 21, 2009, 08:40 AM	#6
Indian Outlaw Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2008 Location: Behind a computer Posts: 100	I don't like stainless for 19th Century (-designed) revolvers. It looks funny to me. And stainless steel is noticeably softer, at least the stainless used in firearms. If you don't believe me, and you have a couple of old junker guns to tinker with, take some emery paper (320 grit will work well) and run it down the length of a stainless barrel, back and forth. Now do the same with a carbon steel barrel. Unless the carbon steel is total crap (Armi san Marco?), it should be harder to shave with the paper. I once "touched up" a S&W stainless revolver with some 320 grit, followed by 600 and 1500. I was pretty shocked at how easily the steel came off. Before I knew it, I had gone too far. Surface hardness may not matter to you, however. If that's the case, then disregard this.