Beadblast finish: Durable in kydex holster?

W

wheelyfun

New member
Hey All,

I posted this in the revolver forum as well...

How durable is bead blast finish?

What does it look like when the finish starts to wear? (shiny underneath?)

Anyone have actual experience with bead blast finish on a carry gun in kydex? (or leather...)

Any opinions are valued!
 
I will assume you mean a beadblasted and blued finish since you did not specify anything else. The texture of the metal is different but the actual protective coating is exactly the same, a hot blue. It will wear the same and leave kind of shiny appearance underneath as the wear polishes the surface. It will not be shiny in an immediate way like the wear on a highly polished gun.
 
hey Jhenry,
thanks for your reply.

I forgot to specify... this bead blasting would be done to a stainless steel Ruger sp101...

Also looking into the TR Gunkote finish in black...

Thanks!
 
publius is correct. The contact points will polish out the matte finish the bead blast renders.

Looks something like this, although this gun was hard chromed carbon steel instead of SS. The results are the same, but the stainless will just go faster. The "black" marks are actually mirrored, polished chrome from wear, and not black.

ry%3D400

ry%3D400


Thats also 10+ years of daily use you see there. It didnt happen just over night.
 
It will polish itself where it contacts the holster.
Click to expand...

Yep. That's happened to my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 60. It's not a problem: it's a carry gun, not a show piece. I have to tighten the holster's screws about once a year, and wipe it down with a damp paper towel to get the dust out about twice a year.

I laughed at plastic holsters until I tried one. I leave the model 60 and plastic holster home for dress occasions; in all other respects, I don't know of a better, less bothersome way to carry.
 
One advantage to SS is, its easily bead blasted and restored if it really bothers you.

This is a different Commander I have that is SS and was blasted after a fair amount of use. It originally had polished flats, which actually get beat up worse than the matte finish....

ry%3D400

ry%3D400
 
Thanks guys!

As Standingwolf said, plastic holsters were something that were scoffed at, until I actually used one.
I carry IWB using an ultra-thin kydex made by Fist, Inc. Great product: sweat proof, very thin, great retention, and I wipe the interior down with a silicone cloth, which keeps it slick and debris-free.

I actually think that Kydex is easier on a weapon's finish...

back to my original question regarding durability of beadblast finish: It seems like it can hold up well to daily use... and easily re-blasted if needed?
 
If youre not worried about a couple of fairly minor and specific scuffs, you'll be fine. Then again, a dust scratch to some can be a horror! :)

The downside to SS is, its relatively soft, and fairly easily scratched, especially compared to carbon steel. The polished versions seem to be even more susceptible. Its also not impervious to rust and corrosion, although usually a lot better than carbon in that respect.

Bead blasting is actually very easy, if you have the stuff and are comfortable with dis and re assembling the gun to its smallest parts. If not, any gunsmith who refinishes, will have no trouble fixing it right up, and probably for pretty cheap. Just be aware, the process starts all over again the first time you put it back in the holster.

I agree with Kydex being the better choice and easier "overall" on a guns finish. The first Commander above was originally a blued gun, and lasted less than a year in a couple of leather holsters. What you see above was 10 more years of use, and 99% of that in the same Blade Tech kydex IWB. If you carry IWB, kydex is the only way to go.
 
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