jeweling barrel on a carry pistol?

Opie-IN · March 7, 2001, 05:41 AM

One of my buddies recommended I have my barrel jeweled on my Kahr K9. He was telling me that it keeps oil on the barrel, making it run smoother. I really LOVE the look of a custom jeweled trigger and barrel, but is there really anything to the smoothing out or is that just some smith telling him that to make some cash. He has all of his barrels jeweled on his guns. Also, what would be a fair price to jewel a Kahrs stainless barrel and trigger.

George Stringer · March 7, 2001, 09:11 AM

Opie, his smith is right in that jeweling isn't just for decoration. It does retain oil better. I would think $50 to $60 would be a fair price for the two parts. I jewel rifle bolts for $45 and small parts for $15 in my shop and I think I'm about average on the price. George

burrhead · March 7, 2001, 09:17 AM

I have a 1911 that, along with other mods, I've had a fair amount of cosmetic work done on. I had the barrel jeweled for the look. Does it hold oil better? Probably, but I doubt there's any real practical significance. If you like the look, do it. It's analagous to pin-striping a car.

Seems like it cost me $75 five or six years ago.

pepemarine · March 8, 2001, 09:27 PM

IF YOU LIKE THE LOOK PLEASE HAVE IT DONE. THE RIGHT WAY
WITH THE STEEL BRUSH NOT THE PLASTIC ABRASIVE, THOUGH IT MAY LOOK LIKE THE SAME YOU WONT GET THE SAME PENETRATION OF OIL. I ALWAYS TELL MY CUSTOMERS THAT THE PROPER WAY TO TREAT A GUN IS TO ALWAYS HAVE IT OILED AND STORED IN A DRY PLACE.

KEEP BLASTING!

**Mike Irwin** · March 10, 2001, 01:30 AM

My question is, is jeweling (aka engine turning from when it was done to watches) really going to do anything for you on the barrel of a semi-auto pistol?

I can see it on a rifle bolt, where there is quite a bit of drag on the circumference of the bolt through the action body, but I'm just not seeing that much of an advantage on a semi-auto handgun unless you've got a REALLY tight bushing...

George Stringer · March 10, 2001, 10:33 AM

Mike, jeweling the barrel itself wouldn't help anything that I can think of. Jeweling the chamber area might if that area rubs against the slide when cycling. That isn't the "fix" I'd choose but it might help. George

March 7, 2001, 09:17 AM	#3
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	I have a 1911 that, along with other mods, I've had a fair amount of cosmetic work done on. I had the barrel jeweled for the look. Does it hold oil better? Probably, but I doubt there's any real practical significance. If you like the look, do it. It's analagous to pin-striping a car. Seems like it cost me $75 five or six years ago. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

March 10, 2001, 01:30 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	My question is, is jeweling (aka engine turning from when it was done to watches) really going to do anything for you on the barrel of a semi-auto pistol? I can see it on a rifle bolt, where there is quite a bit of drag on the circumference of the bolt through the action body, but I'm just not seeing that much of an advantage on a semi-auto handgun unless you've got a REALLY tight bushing... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 7, 2001, 05:41 AM	#1
Opie-IN Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Evansville IN Posts: 194	One of my buddies recommended I have my barrel jeweled on my Kahr K9. He was telling me that it keeps oil on the barrel, making it run smoother. I really LOVE the look of a custom jeweled trigger and barrel, but is there really anything to the smoothing out or is that just some smith telling him that to make some cash. He has all of his barrels jeweled on his guns. Also, what would be a fair price to jewel a Kahrs stainless barrel and trigger.

March 7, 2001, 09:11 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Opie, his smith is right in that jeweling isn't just for decoration. It does retain oil better. I would think $50 to $60 would be a fair price for the two parts. I jewel rifle bolts for $45 and small parts for $15 in my shop and I think I'm about average on the price. George

March 8, 2001, 09:27 PM	#4
pepemarine Member Join Date: February 18, 2001 Location: old mexico Posts: 94	IF YOU LIKE THE LOOK PLEASE HAVE IT DONE. THE RIGHT WAY WITH THE STEEL BRUSH NOT THE PLASTIC ABRASIVE, THOUGH IT MAY LOOK LIKE THE SAME YOU WONT GET THE SAME PENETRATION OF OIL. I ALWAYS TELL MY CUSTOMERS THAT THE PROPER WAY TO TREAT A GUN IS TO ALWAYS HAVE IT OILED AND STORED IN A DRY PLACE. KEEP BLASTING!

March 10, 2001, 10:33 AM	#6
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Mike, jeweling the barrel itself wouldn't help anything that I can think of. Jeweling the chamber area might if that area rubs against the slide when cycling. That isn't the "fix" I'd choose but it might help. George