Finishes?

Z

ZVP

New member
I just saw it again on Kirbys post about his "find" ! There is no finish that so completelly covers and protects the metal as a factory Nickled finish!
I have a Model 36 Nickled and a Model 10HB Blued and man the difference is just astounding!
Not to be gsudy or flashy but Factory nickle is tops for me!
The nickle looks like new and has protected even the lettering!
Now I don't know the exact process the Factory uses but it seems to coat great and stays forever!
Aftermarket finishes such as Parkerising may be tougher but for general life preservation of the metal, give me Factory Nickel!
The miniscule cost At the time, I think my Chief cost a whole $12 more. the preservtion savings are definately worth the little extra cost,
Sighting is no problem and the flash of the gun upon the draw, is of no consenquence. Just for pure metal protection I have to go with the Factory job!


Your Thoughts?
BPDave
 
I do agree in general but with a few exceptions.

First and for-most is that the best finish is no finish at all and the finest example of this is Colt's Bright Stainless Steel as in the Pythons. Nickel is almost as good looking but not nearly as long lasting. Then again, Stainless is a harder yet more brittle steel which is it's own trade off.

Second, although not always as pretty NP3 is a pretty good finish particularly if the gun has several surfaces that will undergo some operating friction like with most semi-autos.
 
After-market treatments/coatings...

Im most impressed with the Metalife SS C format. It has a non glare, nickel-grey color & works great. Gun-writer & tactics trainer; "Chuck Taylor" gives it high praise and says he suggests it over other common brands like NP3 or Black-T.
The Robar NP3+ isn't bad either. It holds up well & speeds up cleaning after a day of shooting. I've owned two Beretta 96D pistols with NP3 in the past with 0 problems. The only -s with Robar is the high cost(compared to other formats) & the long wait(s).
I've never used Black T or the Green T but it's very popular with many LE & military services.
Bearcoat & the CeraKote treatments are well known too.

Clyde
 
Gun finishes

the above mentioned finishes are all good, but not perfect. NP3 and CERAKOTE that SIG uses on their p-220, p-226 and others pistols are very good. I happen to like "hard chrome" and have one revolver and two autos that I had a hard chromed finish to them. Very resistant to corrozion, scraches and normal ware and tear. having a pistol or a revolver finished in hard chrome to me is another near perfect finish for a handgun

V/R

J. Budd
 
Since this is in the revolver forum, I assume you are talking about finishes for revolvers and not auto-loaders. The three commonly accepted finishes for revolvers are Blued, Nickle and Stainless. Of those three, the most durable and the one I prefer is Stainless.
 
+1 for hard chrome, by far the hardest and most durable finish/coating available. I have guns that were hard chromed 30+ years ago and still look practically new. Here's a couple of examples, both of these guns have been carried and shot regularly.

This Austin Behlert custom S&W 25-2 was Armoloyed in the early 80s-
SDC11834.JPG


This Mag-na-port custom Charter Arms Bulldog was hard chromed in the ;ate 70s -
SDC11690.JPG
 
Then again, Stainless is a harder yet more brittle steel
Click to expand...
That just simply isn't so. Stainless actually has a lower hardness potential than plain old carbon or tool steel. However, firearms do not need super hard steel, and stainless can be treated to be plenty hard enough for use in major firearms components.
 
There is no finish that so completelly covers and protects the metal as a factory Nickled finish!
I have a Model 36 Nickled and a Model 10HB Blued and man the difference is just astounding!
Not to be gsudy or flashy but Factory nickle is tops for me!
The nickle looks like new and has protected even the lettering!
Now I don't know the exact process the Factory uses but it seems to coat great and stays forever!
Click to expand...
Okay...
But have you ever seen an older gun with factory nickel? You might change your mind. Maybe not on the look, feel and enjoyment, but certainly on the longevity and durability of the finish.

I believe nickel has it's place, and it certainly had a MUCH stronger presence before stainless hit the market, but there's definitely a reason you don't see it nearly as often these days.
 
Properly cared for, nickel is an extremely durable finish.
The reasons you don't see it as much lately are:
stainless steel and paint.
It's much cheaper to paint a gun than plate it.
 
Well I will just take care of my Nickled finish and hopefully it'll last forever!
Blueing looks good especally with wood grips!
I went for the shiney little revolver because it caught my eye in the Gun SHop's Case I admit that but since buying it, I have fallen in love with the durqbility of the shiney!
Thanks for all the replies guys!
BPDave
 
ZVP Well I will just take care of my Nickled finish and hopefully it'll last forever!
Click to expand...

Just don't let solvents like Hoppes No.9 linger on the nickel for too very long-or your finish will be finished!
 
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