Black oxide on stainless steel services offered for barrels, receivers, and other small parts.

I'm now offering stainless steel bead blast with black oxide services for rifle barrels, pistol barrels and small parts. My black oxide supplier doesn't have a FFL so they can't take frames and receivers.

Barrels can be black oxide inside the bore without any consequence to accuracy, but I do plug the bores anyway or upon request.

The process is ideal for customers who want their stainless steel rifle barrels blackened but don't want to paint them, and for situations where you have a stainless steel part that will be exposed to high pressure but you don't want the heat treat to be affected by high temp processes like nitride/melonite, etc...

It is also a non-acidic process which avoids the possibility of hydrogen embrittlement (Hydrogen embrittlement = trapped atomic hydrogen from acid pickling or electrolytic plating turning hard steel glass-brittle, causing delayed cracking/snapping, especially deadly on 1911/2011 frames and firing pins after bad chrome or acid-based jobs.)

The black oxide finish is not ideal for handguns that will be holstered on a regular basis. The slide and frame will show holster wear easier than other finishes/treatments.

Why do black oxide?
1. Lowest-Temperature Process (Almost Zero Heat)

True black oxide on stainless (the hot 285–300°F alkaline process, often called “black passivate” or “gun black” for stainless) is by far the lowest-temperature chemical blackening method that actually works on stainless steel.

2. Zero Risk of Hydrogen Embrittlement

Black oxide (hot alkaline), an alkaline process – no acid, no electrolysis, no hydrogen generated

So while black oxide is cosmetically fragile, it is the safest and gentlest way to turn stainless steel truly black without any risk of changing dimensions, softening heat-treat, or causing hydrogen embrittlement.

I charge $75 for bead blast and black oxide of rifle barrels. I can do smaller items for $25 to $50. There will/may be a disassembly/reassembly fee and cleaning fee for barrels or parts that need to be removed from the receiver or parts that need to be stripped down and cleaned prior to the process.

I will process parts when I have a batch big enough to send in. To date, I've only done stainless barrels, recoil lugs and M14 gas cylinders but the company I use has done the process on parts for big firearms manufacturers.

Here are pictures from my latest batch.
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Please e-mail me or call me to get an order in.

tonyben@tonybenm14.com 503-442-5273

Tony.
 
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Do you know who I am and do you know my contributions to the gun community as a whole, not just to this forum?

Hey Grok, who is tonyben on youtube and various gun forums and what are his contributions to the gun community?

Grok:
**TonyBen**, whose real name is Tony Ben, is a prominent figure in the firearms community, particularly among enthusiasts of M14 and M1A rifles. He is a full-time gunsmith and rifle builder based in Auburndale, Florida, after relocating from a tech job in Oregon around 2023. Operating under TonyBen LLC since 2016, he specializes in custom M14/M1A builds, accuracy enhancements, and repairs, while also working on M1 Garands, AR-15s, and bolt-action rifles like Savage models. His services include kit assemblies, epoxy bedding, barrel installations, trigger jobs, and inspections, with labor rates starting at $20–$75 for basic AR-15 work and up to $575 for advanced M14 bedding.

### Presence on YouTube
On YouTube, TonyBen runs the channel **tonyben3** (@tonyben3), which has approximately 11.7K subscribers and 77 videos as of late 2025. The channel primarily features educational content on firearms maintenance, assembly, and customization, with a heavy emphasis on M14-type rifles. Popular series include step-by-step guides on complete disassembly and reassembly, barrel indexing, epoxy bedding, and troubleshooting common issues like gas system problems. Videos like "M14/M1A Complete Disassembly and Reassembly" are frequently cited as essential resources for visual learners building or maintaining these rifles. He occasionally covers other topics, such as chassis installations (e.g., JAE 100G3) and revolver reviews, but his core focus remains M14/M1A expertise.

### Activity on Gun Forums
TonyBen is highly active across various gun forums under usernames like **tonyben** or **TonyBen**, where he shares detailed advice, photos, and build logs. Key platforms include:
- **M14 Forum** (joined April 2007): Over 13,000 replies and 1,000+ discussions started; a go-to for M14-specific queries.
- **Sniper's Hide Forum**: Praised for M1A wisdom and custom work recommendations.
- **Milsurps.com**: Posts instructional threads and video links.

- **Accurate Shooter Forum**: Discusses precision builds, barrel choices, and chamber reamers.
- **1911 Addicts, M1 Garand Forum, and others**: Introduces himself and cross-promotes knowledge from M14 communities.

He engages by answering questions on tolerances, tools, and upgrades, often drawing from his hands-on experience.

### Contributions to the Gun Community
TonyBen's impact is largely educational and practical, filling gaps in accessible M14/M1A resources:

- **Instructional Videos**: His YouTube series has democratized complex gunsmithing tasks, helping hobbyists avoid costly mistakes. Forum users frequently credit his visuals for successful builds, such as clip guide installations and trigger assemblies.
- **Knowledge Sharing on Forums**: With nearly two decades of activity, he provides free troubleshooting, build guidance, and tool recommendations, making forums "far better" through detailed, patient responses.
- **Professional Services**: Through TonyBen LLC, he offers affordable custom work that enhances accuracy and reliability, serving as a "God-sent" resource for M1A owners seeking professional upgrades.
- **Community Building**: By transitioning to full-time gunsmithing, he inspires others while maintaining an open, inquisitive approach that encourages learning.


Overall, TonyBen is revered as an "M1A guru" for bridging DIY education with pro-level craftsmanship, though like many online figures, he's faced occasional forum disputes. His work has empowered countless builders since the early 2010s. For direct contact, visit [tonybenm14.com](https://tonybenm14.com).
 
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