that might work, only issue with that on my end, is one of the only places that does real hard chrome is reaalll pricey.. i use to use them back in the day when i ran a concrete pump company. not sure they could just plate those areas though.. another way, and id thought of this before is to torch harden that area...using Mercury..but thats not real safe, not worth the health risk...unless its super rare, id just retire the action to once a year shooting..or a nice display rifle.
someplace i have a picture of a 17 with bad lacking weighs.