The purpose of material selection and surface treatment for a given component is to assure the weapon's failure-free and dependable operation throughout its life time. At the same time, the material and surface technology chosen must take into account the chosen manufacturing method in terms of material attributes, as well as the economics and ecology of production. A gas piston is one of the most visible parts of high-performance small weapons (automatic rifles) that provides its own drive (automation of the functional cycle). The pressure and temperature of the propellant gases, as well as dynamic shocks and wear, put a lot of strain on the gas piston, which puts a lot of strain on the piston material. Steel C55, 80Mn4, 31NiCr14, 42CrMo4, X30Cr13, and X30WCrV9.3 are the most common materials for gas pistons, which are hard chrome plated. Hard chromium plating, which is extremely damaging to the environment and human health, is currently being replaced by PVD or CVD methods. PVD coating deposition processes, for example, have shown to be viable options. Surface treatments including the application of layers and subsequent deposition of coatings are one option (duplex system). The article discusses the use of CrN coating to replace hard chromium plating and the duplex system plasma nitriding + CrN coating (hence PN + CrN). For testing, 42CrMo4 steel was chosen. The strong chrome coating as well as the CrN coating itself were compared to the PN + CrN duplex system. The mechanical and tribological properties, as well as the shape and texture of the surface, were all examined. For exposed sections of small weapons, the PN + CrN duplex system has proven to be a viable alternative to hard chrome coating.