Have this same action. No cerakote. Never had an issue. Smooth as butter.
I presume all the PRS/NRL rumors are true that old school Defiance actions act up the moment any dust layering, sand, grit, or in this case, cerakote, gets into these actions due to such tight tolerances. I say old school as I mean those Deviant actions made before Defiance Machine was sold in December 2022 to the Extreme Group which also owns McMillan Fiberglass Stocks (not the McMillan Firearms brand, which was acquired by Strategic Armory Corps in 2013). Not sure if the new Deviant series made since the acquisition are any different to address this finding.
Bottom line, these Deviant actions are extremely smooth given how tight the tolerances are even without DLC. However, people say these Defiance actions bind once a little bit of grit gets in them. Hence, the presumed shift in PRS/NRL action choices over time (since 2012, see Cal Zant's take:
https://precisionrifleblog.com/2018/12/29/custom-rifle-action/) to other brands with 'looser' tolerances that are not as affected by grit incursions causing binding issues like you are now likely experiencing.
I do not see these 'overly tight' tolerances as a deficit at all with Defiance actions. In fact, it is an asset that has the specific purpose of reducing play in an overall accurized system. People just need to know that these Deviant actions want nothing in between their mating surfaces for smooth operation. Keep them clean and enjoy (what is to me) one of the smoothest actions out there.
Great for competition, ELR, etc., but experience from others who may chime in will most likely confirm other action brands tolerate dust lickin's and keep on tickin's a bit better. I cannot speak to other Defiance actions besides the Deviant sub-type, so YMMV based on who you talk to and read from. Agree 1000% with
@Ol Rob above. Nothing wrong with your action; just get those mating surfaces cleaned off and you should be back in the saddle pronto.
