blued vs stainless

R

Roundeye

New member
Other than looks is there an advantage to stainless finish over blued? Also what's the max you would spend to get stainless over a blued revolver?
 
Stainless isn't a finish. It is stainless all the way through, with no applied surface finish. Bluing is just a very thin oxide coating applied to carbon steel.
For maintenance, a stainless gun is much more rustproof and wear is not as noticeable.
 
Also what's the max you would spend to get stainless over a blued revolver?
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This is a really difficult question to answer without more context.

Revolver models often aren't exactly equivalent other than the finish, especially when used models are considered and availability comes into play. For instance, many older blued models are far more common than their SS equivalents because the latter were introduced after LE agencies had largely lost interest in them. This tends to drive up the prices of the SS models due to supply and demand.

IOW what's the specific gun in question? :)
Stainless isn't a finish. It is stainless all the way through, with no applied surface finish.
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While this is correct, I'd like to add a footnote.

Several revolver makers have marketed stainless models with aluminum alloy frames. However, since "stainless" AL alloy doesn't exist in the truest sense, the alloy frame is finished with some sort of similar-looking coating. This coating is invariably less durable than the true stainless parts (usually the barrel and cylinder).
 
Stainless is generally far more resistant to rust and corrosion.

That said, I won't own a stainless steel revolver. Stainless has no soul, no depth.
 
I love stainless because you can buff and rub out all the little dings and stratches without destroying the finish -- as would happen with bluing.

Mike has a point that some of the old blued guns had real depth to the finish (though I don't buy the soul stuff), however, if you have ever seen a highly polished stainless gun -- they too have depth -- it's all in the polish-- the more shine, the deeper the look.
 
For me, it's the opposite. The higher the shine, the more I feel like I'm looking at a mirror or a cooking pot. Nickel plated doesn't do it for me, either.

It's the ones that have been bead blasted to a pewter-like color that are starting to be tolerable.
 
I would never buy a blued firearm. I prefer stainless all day

This includes carry revolvers.

Now, on a revolver worth owning, as in, something i have -to have-, not to keep in my pocket for CC, I would INSIST on blued.

Maybe on classy shotguns as well.

I guess my point it, I prefer stainless, unless its a piece thats going to mean something, like a family piece, or a big time gift.
 
personally, I like stainless ....although I really like the older Nickel finishes better than stainless.

Will I pay a premium on some guns for stainless ...sure ...10% - 20% depending.../ on revolvers will I pay extra for stainless, maybe ...but I will pay a premium for Nickel of at least 10% ( like on S&W revolvers ).
 
There was a time I was a blue steel man,,,

And I still am,,,
But I did have a period of weakness.

This was the result,,,
I call them The Harem.
01-harem.jpg


Models 629, 686, 67, & 63.

I just had to get that out of my system.

Aarond

P.S. They sure are easy to clean!

.
 
Stainless is nice to have on guns that are going to be heavily used because it's very easy to get them back to original condition. Get scratches on a blued gun and you're in for a nice amount of money to have them reblued.

Most of my hunting guns are stainless. All of my safe queens and target guns are blued. I like stainless, but there's nothing sexier than a deep, high polish bluing that makes the gun look like it's wet.
 
Blued, is more pruddy :p
My next buy is leaning toward a Taurus 94 in 4 inch, looking very much into the blued model.
 
SS... the more shine, the deeper the look.
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Just more tin-horn-ish ;) . I prefer subdued blued. A little wear just means it is being used... a working man's gun. As said above SS is more resistant to rust (only real advantage) ... but if you keep you guns in good working order, rust isn't an issue. I mean how many of us, submerge are guns in water for weeks on end or keep in a moisture attracting holster for months/years? Bet not to many! Mine get shoved in a holster when I go to use 'em. Otherwise they are in their storage rug cleaned and oiled. Basically it comes down to personal preference (and gun hygiene) as both will do the job. With Rugers at least, SS does have one more 'slight' advantage -- the front sight is usually pinned so can be changed out (wish they would do that to the blued guns too) .
 
Stainless steel will always look unfinished to my eye; that said™, it's good enough for everyday carry, and is easier to maintain.
 
If I plan to actually use the gun I want stainless so I don't have to worry about scratches and wear on the finish. If I just want to look at and admire a gun, I like blued. I prefer to use my guns however. ;)
 
I don't have any guns that I don't use regularly. Therefore all the new guns I buy are Stainless. Stainless will hold up better with heavy use, and less maintenance than blued guns.
 
Stainless all the way for me as far as handguns. Long guns are another matter. I prefer blued steel with walnut stocks for those.
 
NICE COLLECTION!I have blued,stainless and nickle.FOR ME stainless or nickle is the way to go.Since all my guns get used.I like the way stainless and nickle holds up.That said my favorite (S&W 520 357) which is blued does have some "holster wear" and scratches.I think it adds character,but sometimes it erks me.
 
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