Originally Posted by
arcticap
It may have been the ALR thread [or somewhere else], that said that TC used 4150 steel that is actually much stronger.
Possibly more brittle but it was properly treated by TC.
It's mostly the specialty long rifle barrel makers that use the 12L14 in order to keep costs lower for individual builders.
It's not that they are unsafe, although the thread mentions that they are easier to blow out when loading mistakes are made.
But rather that there are better steels more suitable for gun barrels.
My only purpose for posting this at all is because it shows that there are different quality barrels that are currently being produced.
The different steels used by the different makers means that it's more difficult to generalize about all modern barrels.
It's possible that the imported Spanish sidelock guns and the old TC sidelocks have stronger barrels than made by some of these "premium" long barrel makers today.
From what I've read, TC had more than one company making barrels for them, and then they may have also started making their own barrels after a period or time.
It's helpful to read the original thread as it provides some info. from both sides on the issue about 12L14 compared to other barrel steels.
Definitely makes a Guy wonder? To be honest i was REALLY Skeptical about 12L14 When Carpenter built my 1:15 Twist .36 Cal, I had read on Castboolits a long time ago where Waksupi (Ric Carter) Condemned a Shipment of Leaded Barrel Steel, When Carpenter was building my Barrel that is all that Stuck in my mind, I personally don’t know any better between the Steels? But when i read where someone speaks badly of Something it usually gets my Attention! Mr. Carpenter Assured me that my .36 Cal Barrel would be Fine and Last me Thousands of Shots, he was 100% Confident in it, So i went with it.
it was also on Castboolits where a Man asked me the Stamp, and Serial No. of 1 of my Oldest Renegade Barrels to do a Check on it? after giving it to him, he came back with it being made by the Sharon Barrel Co. and that it was 12L14 Steel. As to what this Man actually knows? I am not sure, But he seemed to Know a Lot about them? Jjarrel is his Name on CB. I also read where others Spoke of TC’s Barrels Being 12L14, Seems Jim Carpenter told me that as well, but I can’t be sure? Who actually knows what they are talking about? And how does one know that they Actually know?
