Peter
I have a long history of galling stainless issues in my professional career, that being oil and gas industry, specifically subsea equipment, and severe environment hydraulic components.
Most equipment we have no choice in material selection, so we do the best we can. The worst I've ever dealt with was a 30 meter well pump shaft in 4 meter screw together sections, monel, if I remember. 2 of 3 sections galled whilst trying to disassemble. The manufacturer considered this "normal", but did not give us a break on the $80,000 re-machining fee.
There is a yellow paste that we've used, I know it has moly disulf in it, I'll try to find out what it is called, but it helps quite a bit.
Even it is futile, if the threads are not cut properly, as you mentioned.
I'm working with a Norwegian company that has a coating process for stainless components that so far, is working really well in preventing galling.
As far as steel actions go, i agree, because I'm a form follows function person in my way of thinking. But, most people, are quite hung up on the aesthetics.
Is there any practical way of bluing a stainless barrel?
Ben