Sandblasting the bolt face?

[bluecz97b]

I just had a local gunsmith do some work on my tikka t3. When he cerakoted the bolt, he sandblasted the entire bolt. The bolt face, extractor, ejector... Should I be concerned about head spacing?

Read More

 

[Xmark1]

No. Most gunsmiths are required to have insurance.

I'm not so sure about the cerakote on the bolt face. I have questions.

I know the cerakote on the locking lugs is not a good idea.

 

[MikeInOr]

I can think of no reason to sandblast the bolt face. Doing so seems like it would make it much more prone to rust. I can't imagine why he would cerakote the bolt face. I would expect the pressures from the cartridge would cut into the life of the cerakote.

 

[sealine]

Just a guess, but if he sandblasted the bolt after cerakote, it could have been because there was too much cerakote applied for the bolt to cycle properly.

 

[DirectDrive]

Just a guess, but if he sandblasted the bolt after cerakote, it could have been because there was too much cerakote applied for the bolt to cycle properly.

This ^^^
I would bet that's was took place.
And it may have been bead blasted.

 

[Pepe-lepew]

The media blasting will not be a headspace issue. Military firearm bolts have been blasted and parked for a century.

The real problem is, the bolt cerakote. The Tikka Super Varmints have a cerakoted stainless action from the factory. Tikka does not coat the inside of the action or bolt for very good reasons.

 

[bluecz97b]

I think he blasted the entire bolt before cerakote. I don't think he disassembled it first. He blasted the bubblegum out of my extractor, the edge looks serated. And, when you you move the ejector and extractor, it feels gritty like it still has media in the bolt. Hes a really nice guy but I'm feeling like he ruined my rifle. That tikka was the smoothest rifle I owned and it only had 37 rounds through it.

 

[titsonritz]

The real question, is it Instagram worthy?

 

[thorborg]

Cerakote and bolts is not a union I would accept. definitely not sand blasted, bead blasted or etched! I wouldn't even want it blued. I'm not modern though, and believe "old school" still has its charter.
I would tolerate a little jeweling, only on some things.
When it comes to having others altering our things, its best to make clear a head of time, what specifically is expected, on both sides.
Avoids misunderstandings.

 

[sealine]

If he blasted it to the point where the extractor is etched, I'd seriously check the bearing surfaces of the locking lugs.

 

[monkeybutler]

Find new gunsmith.

 

[TTSX]

Rust oleum

 

[Nosferatu]

Should I be concerned about head spacing?

Yes, you should be concerned about what's occupying the space in his head.

 

[gmerkt]

I think he blasted the entire bolt before cerakote. I don't think he disassembled it first. He blasted the bubblegum out of my extractor, the edge looks serated. And, when you you move the ejector and extractor, it feels gritty like it still has media in the bolt.

Blasting media left in moving parts is poor workmanship. But then again, if he'd have removed the extractor, blasting down into the cavity might have created bigger problems.

I'm not a expert on cerakote finish. However, if it didn't come that way from the factory, I wouldn't be in favor of it. I don't like the idea of cerakote on turning parts. And there are considerations for changes in clearance tolerances when coatings are added.

I can only envision that the media blasted surface doesn't look as nice as smooth, blued or white steel. It isn't a military weapon.