How is a GLOCK barrel manufactured?
GLOCK barrels are formed by “cold hammer forging.” First, a bar of steel is drilled through, lengthwise of course. The resulting infant “bore” is reamed out to a precise size, and polished. Next, the outside of what will become a barrel is turned to a precise dimension and degree of smoothness. Then the barrel/chamber in process goes into a barrel forge machine. A “mandrel” which is the exact shape of the finished bore is inserted into the not yet perfect bore, and the barrel is hammered without mercy until the bore and chamber exactly match the mandrel. The mandrel is removed from the forged barrel/chamber, which is then machined to the exact size needed for the caliber barrel being produced. Finally it is marked with a serial number, and given the Tenifer treatment. (More about Tenifer below…) The bore has a mirror-like polish, but the exterior of the barrel is merely smooth enough to insure good functioning with the slide. Some barrels appear rougher than others. For example, in t
