What kind of steel is a gun barrel made of? And what are the differences in the steel of the gun barrels?
The term “steel” is used to describe a variety of metal alloys, most of which are iron-based. The type of steel used in gun barrels is typically high-carbon steel or Barton-grade steel. The carbon content in these types of steel makes them very hard, which is ideal for use in firearms. The downside to using high-carbon steel is that it can be somewhat brittle, so manufacturers have to strike a balance between hardness and durability when selecting the right type of steel for gun barrels.
Barton grade steel is a newer type of steel that’s been specifically designed for use in gun barrels. It’s a very strong and durable type of steel, but it’s also more expensive than traditional high-carbon steel. For this reason, Barton-grade steel is typically only used in high-end firearms.
No matter what type of steel is used, gun barrels must be properly heat-treated to achieve the desired hardness. If the barrel isn’t properly heat-treated, it will be too soft and could potentially rupture when fired.