Galling question

[Thauglor]

Is this galling? It is from an action i sold, I had a barrel mounted and dry fired it 200 times or so, lubed with a moly type Swiss lube, never had any rounds go down range not even chambered. Never seen galling so wanted to ask the experts. These are the buyers pictures, I didn't take any of the lug areas as I never noticed an issue before selling it. I sold due to heaver than i like bolt lift (same as a friends anti but not as easy as my friends element action which is what i ordered). I offered a refund already

 

[Thauglor]

And one from inside the action, i circled what i believe to be the lube i used, it is grey in tin (what the Swiss gave to the STG57)

 

[mike mccormick]

Yes, it does appear to have galling on the bolt lugs.

 

[Tommie]

Looks like the lug bearing surface is concave. How’s that even possible?

 

[ArtinNC]

Caused by not lubing the lugs I have a very old XP100 action that has been used heavy many years and the lugs looks like new . OR it could have been that way when new .

 

[mike mccormick]

Stainless on stainless is bad about galling. Grease on the lugs is the only way to prevent it.

 

[M-61]

Sure is.
Nothing galls quite as easy as stainless steel.
Many reasons,starting with the actual type and quality of the SS.
Additionally the amount of imitation SS as to type and quality is always in question because of counterfeiting.
Doubt it caused anything but what is ‘Swiss lube’.

 

[Thauglor]

It had grease and it was just dry firing, guess lesson learned

 

[M-61]

It had grease and it was just dry firing, guess lesson learned

What lesson?
Dry firing or shooting, basically the lugs don’t care so to speak. The lugs cam into position either way, of course if you had a cartridge loaded where it was ‘jammed’ there would be slightly more force.
Stainless steel against stainless steel is probably the best chance of galling.

 

[tmwinds]

A couple have mentioned stainless against stainless will gall. This is true but I’m not familiar with any action that has a stainless bolt.

 

[Thauglor]

A couple have mentioned stainless against stainless will gall. This is true but I’m not familiar with any action that has a stainless bolt.

You are correct, bolt is made of 4340 chrome moly

 

[M-61]

You are correct, bolt is made of 4340 chrome moly

I should have made my post clearer.
I guess I was fixating on stainless by itself, not being quite the wonder metal some think. And of course a magnet does not tell whether it’s stainless or not much less the quality.

 

[Luisyamaha]

Some stainless are magnetic, some are not. Makes no difference in the galling. But, best
I ever heard is that dis-similar metals (stainless and 4340 Chrome molly, for example) don't gall with each other. But I'm hazy on that. If anybody knows better, let us know.

Luisyamaha

 

[tmwinds]

In my opinion, the main cause of lug and recess galling is the failure to properly bump the shoulder back to allow bolt closure without excessive force. Of course the lugs and recess should be kept clean and greased. If you are having to force the bolt closed something has to give.

 

[M-61]

without excessive force

That’s a relative term. Closing the bolt with a hammer or closing it with your palm.
I agree with excessive force causing problems but I see far greater (and bigger) potential problems with excessive shoulder bumping. People are bumping shoulders with absolutely no idea what that is doing to the headspace. Get enough headspace and galling will be the least of your problems.

 

[Bren10mm]

I found fitting stainless 1911 slides and frames a bit more of challenge to avoid galling.

 

[ShtrRdy]

It looks more like wear than gauling to me. Maybe the buyer was shooting in dusty/windy conditions and got some dirt into the action.

 

[M-61]

Here’s a poor example of where I was going. My wife bought me a beautiful set of carving knives etc in a big wooden block from Victorinox. I didn’t need it but it’s the thought that counts. Hardly used and sat on one of the kitchen counters. In less than 5 months this is what the scissors looked like. I called them sent pictures and complained. No matter what they wanted $10.00 to look at and repair the scissors. Here’s what I got back. Think the metal is the same? And no, the scissors were not used in salt water nor did I cut tomatoes with them. Actually thought they were a reputable company

 

[Thauglor]

Here’s a poor example of where I was going. My wife bought me a beautiful set of carving knives etc in a big wooden block from Victorinox. I didn’t need it but it’s the thought that counts. Hardly used and sat on one of the kitchen counters. In less than 5 months this is what the scissors looked like. I called them sent pictures and complained. No matter what they wanted $10.00 to look at and repair the scissors. Here’s what I got back. Think the metal is the same? And no, the scissors were not used in salt water nor did I cut tomatoes with them. Actually thought they were a reputable company

Still not sure where this is going and what it has to do with galling on an action that was only dry fired before

But thank you all to responses, thank you @ShtrRdy believe it is wear as well

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its not an obvious gall. Its a scratch for sure. Was galling or burr the cause, not sure. A gall is very obvious. Its nasty at first then feathers out. Im leaning more towards a burr than a gall based on the pics. Either way its a non issue. That minor scratch will cause no issues at all. Im sure you can search galled lug and see a nasty one. The reason we dont like them is they raise the surface around them. That unseats the other lug. Once you lap the high spot down the groove doesnt hurt anything. Yes its ugly. I know.