Difference between Robar's NP3 finish and hard chrome?

[DevilDog0402]

Is there a difference? Is one better (more durable/corrosion resistant) than the other?

I'm thinking of getting a a couple slides/barrels done.

[CWL]

Hard chrome is much harder and protects metal against abrasion & wear while NP3 protects against corrosive agents like water & salt.

Hardchrome has RC hardness of 70+ while Robar is RC 48-51.

[Black Majik]

NP3 is also a slippery finish, so handle a pistol that has been NP3'ed before deciding on it. It can make or break your decision.

[DevilDog0402]

Just the difference in RC makes me want to go with the hard chrome. Thanks for the info CWL.

[Warner]

Try cost too, DevilDog0402.

Recently I looked into getting a more durable finish on some of my Mini-14 mags.

Robar's NP3 was FOUR TIMES more per mag than hard chrome from another well regarded place ($30 vs $7 each).

W

[SHOOT1SAM]

Well,

Depends on what you want.

Hardchrome is harder, however, Np3 is more corrosion resistant, as well as more slippery, as in self-lubricating, and lends itself to much easier cleaning.

If the hardchrome chips or flakes, corrosion is very able to penetrate underneath it; not so with Np3.

Np3 comes with a lifetime warranty; I don't know about hardchrome.

Sam