A carrier tube for use in a wellbore perforating gun has inner and outer layers selected from materials of different, comparative physical properties. The inner layer has a higher compressive strength, and the outer layer has a higher yield strength. The inner layer enables the tube to withstand wellbore compressive pressures, which may, depending upon the material selected, include relatively high pressures, while the outer layer contains any fragments of the inner layer that result upon detonation of the gun. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.