Powder coat a Glock barrel?

**allglock** · January 27th, 2013, 01:47 PM

Does anyone know about powder coating? Would the baking temperature be to high, to do a Glock barrel, and/or slide? I was just wondering why more people don't do this?

**redturbo0** · January 27th, 2013, 01:53 PM

hmm, sorry I don't have anything to offer but this idea intrigues me...

**ricbri69** · January 27th, 2013, 02:44 PM

Here's what I can tell you - the temperature of powder coating is not particularly high. Most guys bake between say 350-500F. The biggest risk in powder coating is if the material was previously heat treated or tempered, as this can affect it's strength and embrittle it (make it harder, therefore more likely to crack). I've really only heard of issues with people powder coating aluminum (racing wheels, etc.), but it's worth finding out what alloy the barrel is made of and talking to a competent metal shop - they can tell you if its risky or not.

FWIW, I probably wouldn't do it myself just for the cool factor, as it could lead to cracking and malfunction and I generally don't like that. On the other side of the coin, stainless (which I assume your barrel is made of) is pretty tough stuff and probably wouldn't give a damn about a couple hundred degrees. That said, I'm not a metallurgist and can't say for sure if it's safe or not. Don't know how helpful this was, but at least it gives you an idea of the risks associated with what you want to do.

**mioduz** · January 27th, 2013, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by allglock

Does anyone know about powder coating? Would the baking temperature be to high, to do a Glock barrel, and/or slide? I was just wondering why more people don't do this?

Powdercoat is far to thick for firearm tolerances. Coating typically are under .001. Also powder coat is very strong but very brittle and would not last on a pistol with all of the contact points. The only spray on gun coating worth anything is cerakote

**Lee-online** · January 27th, 2013, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by mioduz

Powdercoat is far to thick for firearm tolerances. Coating typically are under .001. Also powder coat is very strong but very brittle and would not last on a pistol with all of the contact points. The only spray on gun coating worth anything is cerakote

Yep, cerakote does not interfere with tolerances.

Had my 870 cerakoted.

**tonyfac** · January 28th, 2013, 11:43 AM

Drop a message to Brian at EFR, he is a member here and does all kind of coating. he might be able to give you a answer with reasons to do it or not do it.