As Mr. Hurst states, guns are re case colored all the time without problems, at least if done properly. There is a distiction, as many here realize, between re case coloring and in re case hardening. I noticed the phrase the original poster used and wondered if that is really appropriate, not knowing of course who did the work and what methods were employed. I would certainly not condemn all cosmetic re case coloring. I also suspect a problem with the sears being either badly worn or incorrectly assembled, and would also like to know more about the load being used. Are photos of the failure available? It's certainly possible the re case hardening procedure was faulty, but this one will need more examination. The gun should have held a double firing of factory spec loads, that does make one suspect the procedure, but the loads used also need examination.
