[icas]

Was curious if there was an advantage in Carbon Steel vs. Stainless in small parts like firing pin stops, extractors etc. For example, will a WC bulletproof extractor hold tension better in one over the other? Will one be less prone to breaking over the other? Are their firing pin stops less likely to crack in a certain type of material? I do understand that a particular finish will match a particular firearm(cosmetic differences), but was just interested in material differences. Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[Viper_29]

Not that I know of.

 

[kp321]

The material selection is immaterial (sorry about the pun) compared to proper heat treatment. Properly heat treated, chrome moly and appropriate stainless steels can perform equally in regard to strength, wear resistance, and fatigue life. That being said, chrome moly steel is easier to heat treat properly and is easier to form and machine. Any country blacksmith can do a credible job of heat treating carbon and chrome moly steels while it takes a ton of very sophisticated equipment to properly heat treat stainless.