Aluminum oxidization is obviously very hard - it's used in abrasive papers for the specific task of wearing down another surface. After all, they make sandpaper out of it, right?
I have always been under the impression that aluminum oxidizes very quickly and forms a thin "protective" coating on itself so assume that about everything aluminum is oxidized by the time I get my hands on it. The point being that the oxidation is there whether it looks crusty or not.
Anodizing, if I understand that correctly, is a form of induced oxididation of aluminum and is known for being extremely hard too. I am not using anodized stock, but just wanted to reinforce the point of my concern that aluminum oxide is very hard.
So, has anyone of metalurgial merit officially poo-poo'd the notion that we are slowly fire-lapping our barrels into smooth-bores using aluminum checks?
Now, I'm not trying to bust anyone's bubble or rain on their parade here, as I have a GC maker myself and have been very pleased with the resulting components and the control I have over size in terms of compatibility with several different moulds. Since I have been messing with them in a .357 Max. rifle, I have the bug to mess with them in a particular .223 Remington that has an affinity for cast bullets as well. .22 GCs are (were?) cheap, but not to be found and I do like having control over the qulity of my components even just that I could have them when I want, even if under siege as it feels we are currently. I just like making my own stuff as much as I can too.
I am hoping to hear that the oxidation on purchased or scrounged stock is not a concern.