Shiny stainless vs. bead blasted finish

N

Noban

New member
I have a stainless 1911 and am considering having it dehorned and bead blasted. I am told that the bead blasted finish is much more resistent to scratches and ofcourse the ever-offensive greasy finger prints. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Noban
 
i've got a 1911 colt in stainless. i just love that shinny thing. let me save that 1911 before you do something your going to regret later on, i promise. sell it to me!!!
 
There is nothing like a high gloss finish on a fine firearm. Hell, you can even make a Bryco look somewhat decent with one. :-)
 
i got in a wreck and my colt king cobra got scratched up so i paid $30 to have it bead blasted. it was the best $30 bucks i've spent lately. it really looks great to me but you will never please everybody!
 
Depends on the gun. For an everyday CCW, I like the bead blasted look as smudges and fingerprints will not show up on it. For a home defense gun which only comes out at the range and in the event of trouble, I prefer the shiny look.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
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[This message has been edited by FUD (edited June 19, 2000).]
 
I should have been more specific. Mine is a Colt Officer's enhanced that will be for carry. I'm looking at having only the grip frame blasted, leaving the slide shiny. The flat top of the slide is already blasted.

Thanks!
 
I personally only like my revolvers shiny.I like my autos black,but if I had to go with stainless the bead-blasted look is pretty cool.I just fininshed customizing a Kimber Compact with Ed Brown and Wilson Stainless parts which I bead-blasted and tank dipped.The parts turned out really nice they kinda match the aluminun Videki trigger I put on it.The rest of the gun is currenty blued,but I am having it refinshed with a Armour-Tuff like finish.I like the two-tone look and this one is a little different.I Think your idea is a fine one.You could always do the slide with a black finish also. SHOKz
 
The bead blasted finish looks fantastic,but it is more likely to rust.This is because more pores are exposed on the steel.Moisture can easily get into these pores.
 
It's a personally preference really. I don't like shiny guns. So all mine have a bead blasted or matte blued finish. For a carry gun, I'd go with bead blasted. Go to 1911forum.com. There's an excellent thread on this subject.
 
goat hit the nail on the head... Thats the problem with beading up a good stainless gun!

What it is, is the surface now has very small pockets that will grab and hold on to moisture. The only surface that needs to be blasted with little glass beads is the top of the slide. Thats only to reduce glare.
The rest is better off polished... fingerprints or not.
 
Ummm, those newly opened up pockets will also hold a good lube/rust preventative...won't they? :D

I prefer the bead blasted look and feel on a defensive handgun. The only thing I don't care for is the fact that lots of carry or handling will rub shiny spots into the areas that see lots of contact with holsters, etc... FWIW, it's not very hard to touch those spots up though.

Now, for a custom or target pistol, such as, say, a customized "1911" style piece I would prefer a bluing job that I could use as a mirror while shaving.

Just my $.02...

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The Glock freak formerly known as Chris...
 
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