Chrome-plated barrel

[kppodd]

Hello!

I am looking for advice.

I bought a Mosin-Nagant 9130 rilfe for $125. It was arsenal refurbished but badly used since. The bore was very rusty but I think I have removed all of the rust by now.

The black finsih was mostly gone, so I ended up stripping whatever was left with a steel wire brush.

So... all metal parts of the rifle are shiny now, and I am thinking of having the whole thing chemically plated - with CHROME. I would like the bore plated as well. My thinking here is:

- it would make the bore diameter a bit tighter and closer to its original size (since I removed a whole lot of rust from it)

- it would make it resistant to corrosive ammo (all of my surplus ammo has corrosive primers)

- it would look cool

HAS ANYONE DONE THIS OR A SIMILAR THING BEFORE AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ADVICE?

PLEASE COMMENT

 

[praharin]

I think it would be interesting. If it were me, I'd get it bead blasted (I think you can do that on hard chrome) on the outside so it looked more like a matte stainless than a Gangsta' grill...

 

[dfariswheel]

You can have the outside plated with no problem.
Plating inside is probably not going to happen.

Plating rifle bores almost requires that the barrel be specially made just for plating. I don't know of anyone today that offers bore plating for already made barrels.

 

[Slamfire]

Getting an even deposition inside of a tube is difficult.

 

[kppodd]

IF I WERE TO ATTEMPT PLATING THE BORE, HOW THICK SHOULD IT BE?

I WAS THINKING 0.5 MIL (~13 microns).

WOULD IT BE ENOUGH TO RESIST THE FRICTION AND THERMAL STRESS FROM THE BRASS BULLET JACKETS?

 

[Acera]

First I would contact platers and see if anyone of them would even consider it and the cost involved. That might give you a better idea of the scope of the project you propose.

 

[Runningman]

I would like the bore plated as well.

Can't be done hard chrome usually adds .003 - .006 per side (depending on time of process) to dimensions if done correctly. Hard Chrome bores and chambers are made with special oversize dimension before plating.

 

[kppodd]

Thanks, Runningman

Thanks for the numbers - yeah, 0.003" of plating per side plating would make the bore unusable. Does 0.003" stand up well to friction and heat produced in the bore?

 

[GRIZ22]

For the cost involved it's a lot cheaper to buy a Mosin with a good bore and keep it that way. I bought one with a mint bore and very good metal and wood for $100. There are plenty out there.

 

[Joe Demko]

For your existing rifle, thoroughly degrease the exterior and finish it with the spray-on finish of your choice. Clean the bore well with one of the mildly abrasive bore cleaners. Shoot it and enjoy.
Also save up another $100 and buy yourself another Mosin with a better bore.