Just curious...if one was to have it done...and you had a new barrel...would it be advisable to have the barrel broke-in or lapped prior to having the treatment done?
I'm no expert on it. You might want to Google up Melonite and read some of the comments on other boards. Supposedly it will replace chrome for military bores. Haven't seen it yet though.
Mainly AR barrels and bolt assemblies come from the vendors already done, but a few have done bolt guns. Have to read with a squint, 'cause you know, people tend to to be cured by placebos.
I guess it could be argued either way. I would break it in, clean it good with J-B and Montana Xtreme, then send the barreled action out.
Once it is Melonited, it is as hard as steel can get. It'll take forever to smooth out any reamer marks in the throat if you Melonite first.
Mr. Lambert has more first hand experience than me.
I do have two Melonited AR15 barrels and honestly, they don't copper foul at all. I can't believe they bothered to hand lap them before treatment at $125 a barrel.
It's not a surface coating, it's like a hot salt bath that penetrates and modifies the steel. Or so I read, I'm not an expert on steel treatments.