[Ian11]

Do European handgun makers have an aversion to stainless steel?

American manufacturers (S&W, Colt, Ruger) always come out with SS versions of their guns but Europeans rarely do. And when they do they often contract out to American firms to make it for them.

Recent exceptions were the Italian made Beretta 92FS INOX , H&K USP did too for awhile (but was that a coated finish or true SS?), and only recently SIG came out with their superb ST series. (Although for the P220ST/P226ST in America only the frame is made in Germany but not the slide. I believe all German made ST's are available in Europe) Anything else?


*Most of the time I prefer carbon steel with a good finish. Its just something I've been wondering about.

[10-Ring]

I don't think Europeans have an aversion to stainless steel, the blue guns just sell better.

[Kor]

I believe that the European manufacturers, for the most part, don't believe that making stainless steel guns is worth the trouble(at least, for the European market).

1) Stainless steel alloys that are suitable for firearms are usually more difficult to machine properly and are harder on the tooling and equipment than carbon steel is.

2) The American market demands stainless for guns that will be carried often, under harsh climactic conditions(i.e. police sidearms, CCW guns, etc.), whereas many European countries seldom if ever allow their citizens to carry, and whose police usually store their guns in the department armory and carry them in flapped holsters on duty(although this may be changing).

3) With all the hoops and red tape that Europeans have to jump through in order to buy a gun, they tend to take better care of their personal weapons by and large, and therefore have less need of the corrosion-resistant properties of stainless steel.

[Tamara]

Also, many finishes, such as electroless nickel or tenifer, which would be prohibitively expensive to do here due to EPA regs, are still done over there.

[faustulus]

are harder on the tooling and equipment than carbon steel is
That doesn't really seem logical.

[Old Fuff]

Yes, many European makers do have an aversion to stainless steel vs. high-carbon. High carbon alloys can be heat treated for better wear and strength characteristics. Privately some American makers feel the same way, but most of the market is sold on stainless, and it’s better to join rather then fight the trend. Also we have reached the point where stainless parts are less expensive because they require little or no additional finish, such as blueing, plating or whatever.