I am going to pick up a threaded/extended Storm Lake SS barrel for my M&P9, and I would like to have it sent off to have Melonite applied to blacken the barrel. Any potential issues?
Who would you all recommend to send it to for the Melonite?
Stay safe,
Nick
Two come to mind. Flame Metals Processing is the source of S&W’s meloniting process.
Flame Metals Processing
7317-T West Lake Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426
Phone: (612) 929-7815
Toll Free: (800) 497-8462
Fax: 612-925-0572
Ferritic Nitrocarburizing (Salt Bath Nitriding)
Burlington Engineering, Inc.
220 W. Grove Avenue
Orange, California 92865-3204
Phone: (714) 921-4045
Fax: (714) 921-4029
Web Address: http://burlingtoneng.com/
E-mail: Info@BurlintonEng.com
Contact: Dave Corbell
“Melonite” (Ferritic Nitrocarburization processing)
There are several that are/were in the Detroit Metro Area (supporting the auto and other industries) as well.
Thanks!
Let me know how this goes. I want a threaded barrel for my M&P Pro, but the bling factor is WAY too high on the storm lake barrels.
Check with hefusa.net. They melonite benchrest barrels so they may do a pistol barrel. Price is $100. Probably anywhere will be expensive since they don’t do things in small batches.
I’d also like to know if you get this done. No way I could get over the stainless. Don’t forget the pics!
UPDATE
I spoke with the companies listed in this thread so far.
*Flame Metals said the have a minimum charge of $225 for small orders with a 4-5 day turn-around time. The contact info listed above is no longer accurate. A good # for them is: (763) 428-2596
*HEFUSA said they have a minimum small batch charge of around $600:eek:
*Burlington Engineering, Inc. quoted me $125.00 and said they had about a 5 day turn-around, so at this point, they will get my business.
I have a local option that does anodizing and some other metal treatments, and will will stop by there to see if they are set up for Melonite. I will update with what they say after I speak with them…
nickdrak, any update?
Any uptates? Did everything work out ok? I ask because I’m interested in doing the same thing with a Storm Lake threaded barrel I am ordering for my M&P 45. Thanks.
Sorry guys, I did not end up getting the Storm Lake barrel to some reviews that claim that the accuracy gained with the S/L barrel was nominal at best.
I decided to wait for Jarvis to release their M&P match barrels before I jump.
Speaking from personal expirience the Storm Lake Barrel made a significant improvement.
I shot the the new stock barrel in a new M&P that I had replaced the sear with the APEX kit & 'DPMS MECHANICAL RECOIL REDUCTION SYSTEM, next to the Storm Lake threaded barrel. Same lot of ammo both unsupported and supported.
The stock barrel magazine groups around the size of a silver dollar, the storm lake grouped in a single hole about the size of a quarter.
For me it’s a measurable improvement.
I need to duplicate the test with photo’s, as most don’t believe that it can make that big of a difference.
I was surprised as I never considered myself to be a crack shot with a pistol… but I just kept shooting and little tufts of the target would drift down like confetti after each round…
if this is for a standard 9 why nto just purchase the spec-ops barrel for 80$? its already melonited
Speaking for myself. The barrel was an after thought. I was able to buy the handgun with 3 mags and tritium night sights for a great price. I started with the APEX kit and went a little nuts.
I had read the Storm Lake barrels are the same as the one’s on the Pro model. I cannot recall where I read this so I’d take it as scuttlebut.
Overall I am very happy with this barrel (the first had fit issues).
if coating to get it black why not ionbond’s coating? Has a nice looking flat black finish and makes things super easy to clean. I’ve got my BCG coated in it and after shooting a 2 day carbine course I was able to wipe the carbon off the bolt with a dry cotton patch each night.
Melonite is not just a coloring. It is a gas nitriding heat treatment process.
I would not re-heat treat anything, let alone a pistol barrel, without knowing the exact alloy that it is made of AND its hardness beforehand.
Remember, the heat treater is not responsible if the barrel cracks or ruptures on you due to embrittlement. They just treated it like you told them to.
There are really no dangers to the process if you use an experienced source. Heat treat and temper of the base materials are not really affected.
I have had two M&P barrels from Storm Lake done without any measurable difference in accuracy or performance. Numerous members here have had entire 1911s and other pistols done and the bench rest guys are starting to see the benefits as well in their rifle barrels.
I’m glad I did it and have no regrets. It’s an excellent finish!
crossgun, Who did you have do the work on your Storm Lake Barrels? Thanks.
I am about to show my ignorance so please be patient with me.
Is this a coating for only the exterior of the barrel or for the actual bore of the barrel too?
I ask because it states:
[Melonite Processing: Melonite Q
Improved Wear Resistance
Improved Running Properties
Increased Fatigue and Rolling Fatigue Strengths
Heat Resistance
Black Color
Melonite Processing: Melonite QP
lncludes the properties of Melonite Q
Lower coefficient of Friction
Decreased surface roughness
Melonite Processing: Melonite QPQ
lncludes the properties of Melonite Q and QP
Low Light Reflection
Further Decreased Coefficient of Friction
Enhanced Corrosion Resistance (Not suitable for stainless)](http://burlingtoneng.com/melonite.html)
QP sounds ideal for the barrel.
I also am having a long distance bolt gun built up, and wonder what the application would be for it?
Could the entire action be treated, including the bolt, firing pin, etc?
Would the lugs be OK if treated?
Yes, to all of your questions. The entire barrel is treated.
Ask Accuracy International’s Stacey Blankenship about their barrels. I assume they treated the receiver as well. I would.
Rockfish Dave, How was the fit issue with your barrel resolved?