Interesting. You mention using a wire brush to 'card' the parts. Steel? Stainless steel? Copper/brass brush? Where do you find soft wire brushes that won't scratch the finish or gouge scratches in the pistol metal??? Is there a 'gauge' for wire brushes (like with steel wool)???
The pic of the barrel does look mottled, or 'cloudy'.
How do you keep the barrel corks from popping out from the heat/pressure? I ask because I do Parkerizing on AR-15 barrels and that is a persistent problem...
