Show me your semi-autos in NP3/NP3+, CeraPlate II, & Hard Chrome (Metaloy, etc.)!

A

AustinTX

New member
I'm getting the urge to pick up a couple of well-functioning classic semi-autos at prices discounted because of finish wear and then spiff them up in some way with one of these types of high-quality aftermarket finishes. I feel like I'm missing out on a good deal of fun when I see people post pictures of the guns they've personalized in this way. Not interested in refinishing jobs that are purely Cerakote (or something similar). I'm looking for something at least partly involving use of one of these nickel- or chrome-based finishes.

Please show off your refinishing projects! I'm interested in seeing guns that were in good condition before that you refinished just for fun, and I'd also like to see pistols that were in rough shape and that were resurrected with a great refinishing job.
 
Last edited:
HK P2000 V3 in 9mm. NP3+ on the slide, barrel, and internal parts (really smoothed up the action), plus matte black Roguard on the slide release levers.











 
Last edited:
I'm getting the urge to pick up a couple of well-functioning classic semi-autos at prices discounted because of finish wear and then spiff them up in some way with one of these types of high-quality aftermarket finishes.
Click to expand...

Great minds think alike. I actually got my Cougar 8040 for that exact reason, but I kinda love that classic Beretta Bruniton look, so I'll probably grab a Stoeger Cougar new and spiff it up with NP3+, since that's kinda the only area the Stoeger gives ground to the Beretta.

TunnelRat, you seriously might have just made a sale for both HK and Robar. That is really nice.
 
TunnelRat, you seriously might have just made a sale for both HK and Robar. That is really nice.
Click to expand...

It was both necessity and intrigue. I got a stone lodged in my holster when shooting at a gravel pit and the top of the slide had a nice long mark on it. But to be fair it was more cosmetic than anything serious, but a great excuse none the less.

If you are going to have a hammer fired auto sent to Robar, I HIGHLY recommend having the internal parts done as well. It smooths up the action significantly.
 
Another testimonial for Robar here. They are local to me so I've done several things with them. Great people, by the way.

My biggest project was this old SIG P6 that I did a few years ago. Picked up this old very worn P6 for like $280 on BackPage. My whole goal with the project was to buy it, do it up nice and.. maybe keep it. maybe sell it.

Had the entire gun and 3 mags done in NP3. Put on walnut grips, customized creationz trigger, a solid 226 hammer, new springs, etc. Turned out really nice. I did end up selling it for $700.

155293_499073177532_2756533_n.jpg


155608_499073382532_4800403_n.jpg


154548_499073532532_2355096_n.jpg


74831_499073587532_8266956_n.jpg
 
Uncle Malice, I think that's about the nicest looking P6 I've seen. Robar does nice work. BTW, I used to live within about 5-6 miles of Robar, and was in there a number of times. I moved and have not seen Robbie for years, but was acquainted with him when he was still working out of his garage. He has come a LOOONG way ;-D

The Hi Power frame is the factory hard chrome. I had Armoloy in Texas hard chrome the Gold Cup 30+ years ago. The old gun is still in the family, and still in regular use. This is a recent picture, and it still looks about the same as it did back then.
 

Attachments

  • Practical-m.JPG
    Practical-m.JPG
    206.5 KB · Views: 111
  • Old GC-m.JPG
    Old GC-m.JPG
    232 KB · Views: 98
AustinTX said:
I'm getting the urge to pick up a couple of well-functioning classic semi-autos at prices discounted because of finish wear and then spiff them up in some way with one of these types of high-quality aftermarket finishes. I feel like I'm missing out on a good deal of fun when I see people post pictures of the guns they've personalized in this way. Not interested in refinishing jobs that are purely Cerakote (or something similar). I'm looking for something at least partly involving use of one of these nickel- or chrome-based finishes.
Click to expand...

Shhhh! Not so loud - you might drive up the prices on them!

Right now, I'm looking for a cheap Beretta 84F or FS with exactly this in mind. It's not going well - apparently, sellers are already very well aware of this trick.

Speaking of Robar, if I want nickel, should I do the satin electroless nickel, or the NP3+? The Beretta's going to be a range toy rather than a defensive tool; I don't know that I need the full NP3+ for that.
 
Last edited:
TunnelRat and UncleMalice, now that's what I'm talking about! That is some really, really sharp-looking work there!

It's always hard to tell from photos exactly what the actual tint of the different finishes is, due to differences in lighting, camera settings, etc. What factory electroless nickel finishes do NP3 and NP3+ most remind you of? Do you think they have more, less, or basically the same amount of the yellowish tint you see with the "median" nickel finish? Do NP3 and NP3+ differ from one another cosmetically at all? (They seem a bit different in these photos, but again, use/nonuse of flash, ambient lighting, etc. makes it too hard to tell for sure.)

LB, a Stoeger Cougar would be a good project gun for sure, since the finish is really where the Stoegers are most lacking. Still intrigued by your idea of getting a finish-worn 84BB/85BB to work on as well! And, man, I'm in love with UM's P6, too. I was also noticing how I seemed to have missed the boat on getting an excellent-condition P7M8 at a reasonable price -- pristine P7M8s are going for almost as much as I paid for my much more rare LNIB P7M10s four or so years ago. Hmmm...

Aaahhh! This could become a "sub-addiction" all its own! :eek:
 
I don't think NP3 and NP3+ look any different. I've never been able to tell a difference.

I don't find a yellowish tint to the color, I think it's just background reflection on my pics. The gun was sitting on a file folder for the pics instead of pure white.

To me, it looks like a satin or matte hard chrome. Not polished, perhaps a very light blueish tint to it if anything, but it's really almost a pure nickel/silver color. It's not high polish, but it's oddly slick like teflon non-stick cooking pans. Really an interesting finish.

Clean up really is as easy as everyone says it is.
 
It's always hard to tell from photos exactly what the actual tint of the different finishes is, due to differences in lighting, camera settings, etc. What factory electroless nickel finishes do NP3 and NP3+ most remind you of? Do you think they have more, less, or basically the same amount of the yellowish tint you see with the "median" nickel finish? Do NP3 and NP3+ differ from one another cosmetically at all? (They seem a bit different in these photos, but again, use/nonuse of flash, ambient lighting, etc. makes it too hard to tell for sure.)
Click to expand...

The color isn't easy to describe tbh. In bright light it does have more of a sheen. Without a flash or direct light though it's more a dull gray stainless appearance. It's certainly not as shiny as hard chrome.
 
Shhhh! Not so loud - you might drive up the prices on them!

Right now, I'm looking for a cheap Beretta 84F or FS with exactly this in mind. It's not going well - apparently, sellers are already very well aware of this trick.
Click to expand...

Apparently several of us are behind the times on this. :( I love my blued 84BB, but ever since LB mentioned doing this to an 84/85, I can't quite get it out of my mind. And, again, that P6 of UM's looks amazing.
 
I don't find a yellowish tint to the color, I think it's just background reflection on my pics. The gun was sitting on a file folder for the pics instead of pure white.

To me, it looks like a satin or matte hard chrome. Not polished, perhaps a very light blueish tint to it if anything, but it's really almost a pure nickel/silver color.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that TR's pics showed more of the slight yellowish tint that nickel finishes often have, actually, while your pics show more of the bluish tint of chrome.

Nickel's hues have always seemed to my eyes to vary with the lighting more than most, like TR describes. In any case, all of the pics look beautiful.

Glad to hear that NP3 and NP3+ are the same cosmetically. Since whatever I do this to this time will only be a range toy, I'd like to avoid paying up if the difference between the two is all about corrosion resistance.

That hard chrome looks great, rock185. I think I'd prefer the NP3 (or CPII) on a Beretta 84/85 or a P6 like UM's, but lean toward HC for a P7M8 or a 1911. But I'm sure more members' photos could make me pretty indecisive on the matter.
 
AustinTX said:
Apparently several of us are behind the times on this. :( I love my blued 84BB, but ever since LB mentioned doing this to an 84/85, I can't quite get it out of my mind. And, again, that P6 of UM's looks amazing.
Click to expand...
What are the mechanical differences between the B/BB versus F/FS? I have to admit I prefer the look of squared trigger guards on the F models, but it's probably not worth holding out for one if I can find a cheap B. I mean, it hasn't happened yet, but I can pretend it might, right?

I've seen well-maintained nickel 84's sell for $800+ on Gunbroker. I'm aiming for $300 or less. Add $250 for electroless nickel, $25 for FFL fees, maybe $50 for wood grips, plus shipping... I'd really like to keep the total cost under $650.
 
Last edited:
Not a good pic, but Mahovsky's Metalife really improved my old beat up Sig P220. Hard chrome is THE way to go for a handgun finish!
 

Attachments

  • PDC_0002.jpg
    PDC_0002.jpg
    51.2 KB · Views: 105
Hey Broker......

.....did you specify not to do the smaller parts? I'm just asking because my Christmas present is having my FEG hard chromed at Mahovskys. My wife is paying for it , but my buddy is handling everything for her. I'd like to have all of the gun hard chromed. Even the small parts.
 
He will plate what you send, I had a Pistol done in Metaloy which included the aluminium frame..beautiful work and gave the pistol new life...send extra magazines with the pistol for discount.
 
White balance is a little off on these. I will try to take a few more today if time allows. This is an alloy BHP and the frame was done in NP3 and the slide in Rogard Black. Custom work done by Don Williams.











 
KevininPa

I did specify the controls be left black, I think it makes a nice contrast. You'll love the hard chrome. It's almost impossible to damage. The finish is harder than a file. Ron is the only plater I know of that will plate an alloy frame, like the one on my P220, too. Enjoy, & Merry Christmas!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top