Gunsmithing M2013 coating question

xdeano

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  • Oct 26, 2005
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    I should just call the company direct but im sure some here has already asked the question.

    What coating can be used on the action inside if any and also can a coating be used on the bolt?

    Coatings like cerakote or duracoat are that i was thinking, on both the action inside and out and on the bolt.

    I've seen some guys that are doing ion bond coatings, so i'm guessing that cerakote and duracoat would be just fine.

    Thanks
    deano
     
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    When I spoke to Marty RE: my M2008, he suggested IonBond. That's what I went with, happy I did... To my (admittedly limited) understanding, it is not really a coating, it is more of a surface hardening/corrosion resistance process that penetrates "a few" microns deep. Obviously that's not a very technical description at all, but if you do a quick Google search, you'll find more technical info than a guy can take on the subject. I went through Springer Precision. Great experience.
     
    Cerakote on the action, and I just sprayed a few bolts with their Microslick and was pretty impressed. The only problem is that its a blue/gray color. Really slick stuff though, literally, it feels like melonite to the touch. Not sure how well it wears yet, but Im sure its as good as H-series on the bolt.
     
    I'd get melonite, its corrosion resistant, makes it more smooth, and makes the whole thing black. (oh and the rc hardness 75 just to give u an idea a barrel blank is around 30-35 rc)

    When I spoke with Marty, he strongly advised against melonite, as the temperatures used during application were higher than he was comfortable with. I believe others (perhaps Turbo54 IIRC???) have gone the melonite route with no issues, but Marty didn't seem to be in favor.
     
    The later 2008s and the 2013 have more bolt/raceway clearance than the early 2008s.

    You can cerakote with confidence.

    Ion bond is neat, but it's too expensive and takes too long for my tastes.

    From the first time I handled and used a Melonited firearm (Glock/XDs), I wanted EVERY gun to be finished that way. I still do.

    As far as Marty's take on doing it: He buys pre-hard 4140 alloy steel to make the action, so as not to risk warpage and dimensional changes of the action during heat treat. He's not "against" melonite, but can't condone it because he has no control of the process and doesn't want responsibility or liability for it dimensionally or structurally altering the action.

    My opinion, as an MSME with strong background in metallurgy, and with 4 melonited rifles (including an M2008 and M2013) and at least a dozen melonited pistols, is you've nothing to fear.
     
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    The later 2008s and the 2013 have more bolt/raceway clearance than the early 2008s.

    You can cerakote with confidence.

    Ion bond is neat, but it's too expensive and takes too long for my tastes.

    From the first time I handled and used a Melonited firearm (Glock/XDs), I wanted EVERY gun to be finished that way. I still do.

    As far as Marty's take on doing it: He buys pre-hard 4140 alloy steel to make the action, so as not to risk warpage and dimensional changes of the action during heat treat. He's not "against" melonite, but can't condone it because he has no control of the process and doesn't want responsibility or liability for it dimensionally or structurally altering the action.

    My opinion, as an MSME with strong background in metallurgy, and with 4 melonited rifles (including an M2008 and M2013) and at least a dozen melonited pistols, is you've nothing to fear.

    Hoped you'd add your thoughts.... Thanks for bringing your knowledge to the table.
     
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    The later 2008s and the 2013 have more bolt/raceway clearance than the early 2008s.

    You can cerakote with confidence.

    Ion bond is neat, but it's too expensive and takes too long for my tastes.

    From the first time I handled and used a Melonited firearm (Glock/XDs), I wanted EVERY gun to be finished that way. I still do.

    As far as Marty's take on doing it: He buys pre-hard 4140 alloy steel to make the action, so as not to risk warpage and dimensional changes of the action during heat treat. He's not "against" melonite, but can't condone it because he has no control of the process and doesn't want responsibility or liability for it dimensionally or structurally altering the action.

    My opinion, as an MSME with strong background in metallurgy, and with 4 melonited rifles (including an M2008 and M2013) and at least a dozen melonited pistols, is you've nothing to fear.

    Where did you get it done. I dont want to pay the 300 minimum. From what I understand the guy who used to do one offs at MMI is no longer there.
     
    Where did you get it done. I dont want to pay the 300 minimum. From what I understand the guy who used to do one offs at MMI is no longer there.

    My Savage 10 and FN SPR I sent to H&M, along with dozens of other a sundry items.

    I bought my M2008 already done, don't know which outfit processed it.

    My M2013 was sent out to MMI by the gunsmith in a big batch of other actions/items/barrels.