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Posted: 4/16/2003 7:41:52 AM EDT
| Anyone know of Titanium barrells for the AR15 and or Titanium or Stainless Steel bolts and Bolt Carriers. Basically any Titanium or Stainless steel parts to replace the steel parts but mainly I'm interested in a Titanium barrell and maybe stainless bolt and carrier. I suppose I could buy a Titanium barrell for a bolt gun and have it turned down (lathed) to be an AR15 barrell but if someone is already making one I'd like to know. |
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You probably won't ever find a titanium barrel. Since titanium is very elastic like aluminum, it must have a steel liner. Since a titanium sleeve would probably be adding more weight than neccesary, plus the more expensive material for the gains, it would be useless. A carbon-fiber barrel on the otherhand is much more light-weight and stiffer than titanium could ever think of. If you want exotic and funtional, go with it. Also, for other parts, some can't be made into titanium. Although it's tough, light (between aluminum and steel) and corrosion resistant, it can't be hardened as much as steel without becoming brittle. This is why S&W and Taurus Ti handguns use steel hammers. |
| To get to brass tacks...titanium is really a rather poor metal for use in firearms...it galls, wears easily, it can become subject to certain embrittlement factors...it is elastic ( as has been noted ) etc, etc, etc. Titanium is a good alloy material or structural material...that's all. Don't waste your time with it. |
| I've seen magnum bolt action guns made out of Titanium to be ultralightweight. There is a Titanium firing pin for the AR. I wonder how they get over the brittleness problem with a firing pin that is advertised to replace the steel counterpart to be more durable. I think the real reason more parts aren't made from Titanium is due to cost and not that it wouldn't be the most ideal material for some items. |
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Quoted: There is a Titanium firing pin for the AR. I wonder how they get over the brittleness problem with a firing pin that is advertised to replace the steel counterpart to be more durable. They didn't solve the problem - and NOBODY advertises it as being more durable. People have had them chip and fail. |
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Quoted: There is a Titanium firing pin for the AR. I wonder how they get over the brittleness problem with a firing pin that is advertised to replace the steel counterpart to be more durable. Do a search on Titanium Firing pins and you'll see the problem a number of people have had with them. They are more likely to pierce the primer and the gas blowback destroys the pin, requiring its replacement. Although this occassionally occurs with steel pins, they don't happen as frequently, and they don't require replacement in all instances. |
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I know of no one who makes a Titanium barrel. Remington and other Ultra Light makers who use titanium in their receivers and bolts still use thin stainless barrels. Armalite makes a point on their web page that Titanium firing pins are generally useless on the AR-15. Number 2 under Technical Notes. |
| Because titanium is so hard, It is brittle. Like other very hard metals such as cobalt, titanium has a tendancy to distort and flex when unevenly heated. I think that a barrel would be subject to galling and worpage. As well as being a nightmare to riffle. Broach cutting would be out of the question. |
| As I remember, Armalite did fit a tit barrel to the original AR10 for trial by the US Govt about 1954. It blew up and some say that is the reason the rifle was not given further consideration. Armalite countered that the testing board has abused the rifle and caused the problem. Armalite dropped the tit barrel forever. |
| titanium nitride is a different barrel of kim-chi....that is a titanium/nitrogen compound used as an advanced lubriciant/protective coating...the stuff really rocks but it has a gold color to it so it isn't used on external arms parts...generally. You could always coat over it I suppose...though I have no idea how well the coatings would adhere to the TiN2 (N3?) coating. |
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