Turning and milling operations, performed for the production of Gemini choke tubes, are carried out using modern numerical control machines, very precise and reliable machinery. The whole process is steadily monitored with scrupulous on-board machine control systems, through-out manufacturing and at the end of the production cycle. Particular attention is paid to finishes including external grinding, (for less roughness and micrometric tolerances), and internal lapping, (to ensure that the choke performs the same sliding of the barrel).
The bedrock of the excellent performances boasted by our choke tubes are the materials they consist of. We have chosen to manufacture our products mainly in 42CrMo4 steel alloy, with the exception of thin-walled chokes for which we prefer 17-4 PH stainless steel.
Finally, for those looking for a product of the highest performance level with a minimum weight in sport shooting, we use Ti 6AI-4V (grade 5) titanium.
Let us discover these materials and coatings, as well as the treatments they undergo in order to further improve their performance.
42CrMo4 alloy steel
Approximately 80% of Gemini choke tubes are made of 42CrMo4 alloy steel (EN 10083-3), which is the most widely used steel in this field thanks to it’s excellent quality/price ratio.
This material shows off a hardness ranging from 800 to 900 N/mm², with the right balance between hardness, mechanical strength and toughness. It is also "normalized", meaning the steel undergoes a specific heat treatment that allows it to achieve a perfect microstructural equilibrium. The pieces, once finished, are subjected to Nickel-plating (for internal choke tubes) or Nickel-plating+DLC (for all other models).
This material shows off a hardness ranging from 800 to 900 N / mm², with the right balance between hardness, mechanical strength and toughness, it is also "normalized", i.e. it undergoes a specific heat treatment that allows it to achieve a perfect microstructural equilibrium. The pieces, once finished, are subjected to Nickel-plating (as for internal choke tubes) or Nickel-plating+DLC (as for all other models), which is displayed below.
17-4 PH stainless steel
AISI 630 steel, also known under the trade name 17-4 PH, is suitable for achieving an excellent balance between mechanical strength and corrosion resistance; it reaches the optimal level of these characteristics following a specific heat treatment that it undergoes at the end of processing. Very few companies show off the accuracy needed to carry out such a critical but fundamental stage. This treatment known as "precipitation hardening" or "aging hardening" increases the hardness from the initial 800 N/mm², up to 1300-1450 N/mm², without any deformation.
We prefer the use of 17-4 PH steel for the realization of our thin-walled chokes. These pieces are not subjected to any subsequent Nickel or DLC coating, they are simply bleached. The hardness reached by the material following such treatment allows us to employ it with high coating mass ammunition, and also the use of steel shots (for cylindrical constriction size).
Ti 6AI-4V (grade 5) titanium.
Known as the "strong suit" among titanium alloys, Ti 6Al-4V is the most commonly used. It represents 50% of total titanium consumption worldwide. Such alloy features high strength (900-1200 N/mm²) combined with an absolutely light weight, good formability and high corrosion resistance.
Certainly one of our best applications of this material are Geminis’ shooting choke tubes, which are used by enthusiasts and professionals who need and desire little (very little) weight at the muzzle end. The choke tubes made in titanium are subjected to DLC coating. Given the quality refined material with which they are constructed, they boast a price necessarily higher than the average one in the catalogue.
What coatings are undergone by choke tubes made of 42CrMo4 alloy steel, 17-4 PH stainless steel, Ti 6AI-4V (grade 5) titanium?
The finishing of Geminis’ internal choke tubes is performed exclusively using Nickel-coating, while all the others receive Nickel + DLC coating, let's see what that consists of...
Nickel- Plating
Nickel coating is also called medium-phosphorus electroless nickel-plating (5-9% in P). It is the most widely used among Niplate coatings, thanks to its high wear resistance, good corrosion resistance and low friction coefficient. It conveys a hardness of 700 +/- 50Hv after dehydrogenation at 160-180 ° C for four hours. Nickel plating avoids the oxidation of the pieces and is carried out on all choke tubes in 42CrMo4.
DLC (Diamond Like Carbon)
The DLC technical coating (Diamond Like Carbon) gives the choke tubes an appropriate colour and avoids annoying reflections, which could render the firearm visible. The DLC is a coating in "Amorphous Diamond" providing the choke tube with additional hardness (2500-3000 Hv), extraordinary abrasion and wear resistance, a low frictional coefficient (smoothness and anti-adhesion) and excellent chemical inertness.
We can not unveil the whole "tricks of the trade", yet we were willing to share with you some information that shall help you to choose your shooting partner more accurately. For us quality comes first, as well as your satisfaction when using a Gemini choke tube!
Originally published by Gemini Chokes, Blog, Guides: 06/21/2021