[ScottsGT]

This subject came up on one of my other posts. Aparently, Kimber ships out blued guns that have stainless frames that are painted. How can I identify if my frame and slide is made of carbon steel or stainless? Other than stripping the finish and soaking it in salt water!
Moderator: Please don't move this to the Kimber forum. The make of gun is irrelevant.

 

[EOS1D]

A call to Kimber should be able to solve the question. I don't believe the parts have a special designation as carbon or stainless.

 

[goldmatch45]

the folks at kimber told me that SS can not be blued. GM45

 

[dsk]

The finish is bound to have worn off somewhere, like on the slide or frame rails. Touch the bright spot with a cold blue soaked Q-Tip and see if it changes color.

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D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1

 

[Electric_Armadillo]

Try a magnet. That will tell ya.

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-Electric Armadillo-
"You're basically killing each other to see who's got the better imaginary friend." - Yasir Arrafat (On going to war over religion)

 

[John Forsyth]

The only stainless steel that is not magnetic is austenitic, i.e., 300 series stainless steel. Austenitic ss can not be heat treated and is not used where high strength is required, i.e., slides and frames.

Martensitic ss can be heat treated, examples are 410 & 416. They are magnetic, and are most likely used in either cast or forged form to make slides and frames.

We will talk about ferritic and precipitation hardened ss another day.

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John

"And by the way, Mr. Speaker, The Second Amendment is not for killing ducks and leaving Huey and Dewey and Louie without an aunt and uncle. It is for hunting politicians like (in) Grozney and in 1776, when they take your independence away".
Robert K. Dornen, U.S. Congressman. 1995