Anyone ever had a pistol nickel plated???
- Thread starter Patchman
- Start date
A note of caution on nickel (or any other metal) plating. Plating adds to the original metal. I doubt that would make much difference to that Ruger, but it can mean that revolver sideplates no longer fit, or that auto pistol slides won't go on the frame until the plating is removed from the rails.
As to a plater, I would just Google "guns nickel plating" and contact some of the names that turn up. Since Ruger does not (AFAIK) make any nickel plated guns, I doubt calling them would help, but they may know of someone.
Jim
As to a plater, I would just Google "guns nickel plating" and contact some of the names that turn up. Since Ruger does not (AFAIK) make any nickel plated guns, I doubt calling them would help, but they may know of someone.
Jim
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
It sounds like the gun is already stainless. How have you polished it? You can get a pretty good shine off of a stainless gun.
look at hard chrome.
look at hard chrome.
+1 on polishing.
I have a Smith & Wesson 67 that someone tried to 'rub out' a scratch mark using a Scotch Brite pad. It was really fugly when I found it. A couple of hours polishing the gun up and now most folks think it's a nickel gun.
I used Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish to shine up the gun. Then made a pass using Flitz polishing creme (small tube) to bring parts of the gun to a mirror shine. This is not only cheaper than nickel plating, but it won't chip eitehr.
Plus, if it gets dull or lightly scratched you can usually polish it back up again.
I have a Smith & Wesson 67 that someone tried to 'rub out' a scratch mark using a Scotch Brite pad. It was really fugly when I found it. A couple of hours polishing the gun up and now most folks think it's a nickel gun.
I used Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish to shine up the gun. Then made a pass using Flitz polishing creme (small tube) to bring parts of the gun to a mirror shine. This is not only cheaper than nickel plating, but it won't chip eitehr.
Plus, if it gets dull or lightly scratched you can usually polish it back up again.Bill DeShivs
New member
If the gun is stainless, it can be polished to a mirror finish. If the gun is carbon (blued) it can be plated. There is no real advantage to hard chroming stainless.
DiscoRacing
New member
I polished out a rem 700vlss...it looks just like it already is nickel
2 good sources for nickel work...
I've had 2 Beretta 96D .40 pistols plated by Robar Guns, www.robarguns.com . They used the great NP3. It's a non glare mix of nickel & Teflon. The newer NP3+ is not cheap but worth the $$$ if you plan to carry the pistol often under hard use conditions.
Another top shop is www.APWcogan.com . They were in the Tampa Bay FL area and moved to AL about 3/4 years ago to a new location with new equipment. Accurate Plating & Weaponry has been known for years as a great source of bright or dull/non glare plate work in nickel, black oxide, Cerakote-NIC. They may take a few weeks or months to do any custom work.
The website lists all current prices/details.
I've had 2 Beretta 96D .40 pistols plated by Robar Guns, www.robarguns.com . They used the great NP3. It's a non glare mix of nickel & Teflon. The newer NP3+ is not cheap but worth the $$$ if you plan to carry the pistol often under hard use conditions.
Another top shop is www.APWcogan.com . They were in the Tampa Bay FL area and moved to AL about 3/4 years ago to a new location with new equipment. Accurate Plating & Weaponry has been known for years as a great source of bright or dull/non glare plate work in nickel, black oxide, Cerakote-NIC. They may take a few weeks or months to do any custom work.
The website lists all current prices/details.
CarbineCaleb
New member
I can't speak to maintaining nickle plating, as I haven't done it, but I will say that nickle looks different than polished chrome or stainless, and looks better, IMO. Nickle is just like silver - it has a subtle warm (yellow) tone to it that looks real purdy. By contrast, chrome has a slight blue tone to it.
Firearm function, cycle, nickel-coating pistols...
I'd add to the concerns about plate work or coating & the function/firing of weapons, go to the main Robar site. They explain in detail how the process works. In short, these chemicals-moleuclues bond deep into the surface of the metal parts. They protect/lube these components but are not so thick that they would bind or cause problems.
Robar makes a point of explaining how nickel, NP3+, black oxide etc must be properly applied by trained professionals. The company also plates or coats other metal surfaces/parts/machines for industrial, marine and defense contractor uses.
I'd add to the concerns about plate work or coating & the function/firing of weapons, go to the main Robar site. They explain in detail how the process works. In short, these chemicals-moleuclues bond deep into the surface of the metal parts. They protect/lube these components but are not so thick that they would bind or cause problems.
Robar makes a point of explaining how nickel, NP3+, black oxide etc must be properly applied by trained professionals. The company also plates or coats other metal surfaces/parts/machines for industrial, marine and defense contractor uses.
