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I just saw a USP 9mm compact with the Stainless slide and just said WoW to myself. Why are these guns not so common anymore. HK doent seem to make them. Sig has sharply shrunk what guns they sell in stainless and so on.

Is there a practical reason why there are fewer and few new stainless guns amongst makers like HK and Sig as far as realiability or durability? Is it a supply/ demand problem?

I know revolvers are a dime a dozen in stainless but it seems like there were a whole lot more then there are now.

[wrc376]

not that im any expert on the subject but stainless is softer than carbon steel-

[oldFred]

Where have you been? SS guns have been selling like hotcakes. I'm not sure about those companies you mentioned, but my frequent visits to 3 gunstores in my area have I noticed new buyers all holding stainless...

Seen a tiny woman buy a USP full size, he handed her the blue and she said give me the stainless and hurried over to the checkout counter!

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Is SS a heavier metal then whats commonly used and blued? does anyone know what the weight ratio per lb. is between the metals?

[BigBlock]

Is SS a heavier metal then whats commonly used and blued?
Yes, but just barely. I don't know what the exact ratio is. Not enough to notice.

[Kind of Blued]

Well, the traditional Sig has an alloy receiver. They still make all-stainless guns, but they're almost 50% heavier. Compare a P226 to a P226 Elite Stainless.

Many new guns are using stainless steel slides, which are then finished with some sort of tennifer/melonite finish, which is harder and tougher than stainless steel.

[oldFred]

According to the Taurus website, the 1911 in blue = 38 ounces and the stainless = 38 ounces.

[9mmepiphany]

all current production Sigs have stainless slides

[ArmedBear]

Blue is for looking at, stainless is for using.

If you doubt that, go look at a blue handgun that's seen a lot of real-world use.

People are buying guns to use, these days, not to oil up and store away.

This is a good thing: the growth of CCW and people's renewed concerns for their 2nd Amendment rights are at the root of this.

[IndianaBoy]

Not sure where you are looking but Sig has gone all stainless. They blacken the slides on most of them, but the steel is stainless.

The frames are alloy except on the ST Elite. The stainless frames would be wonderful on a range gun or for USPSA. I LOVED the way the 226 ST 9mm looked and handled. Just can't afford one right now.

[ar10]

Where have you been? SS guns have been selling like hotcakes. I'm not sure about those companies you mentioned, but my frequent visits to 3 gunstores in my area have I noticed new buyers all holding stainless...

I have three XD's with SS slides and love them. Carbon doesn't build up on them like it does on the others. When it does it cleans off much easier.

[earlthegoat2]

cant make polymer look stainless too easy. Dont want to sound biased but if it is full stainless your after go with a 1911.

[heron]

I don't like bright reflective guns, myself. If I were to get one in stainless, I'd try to find it in a blackened or non-reflective finish, so I wouldn't have to worry about glare from it in sunlight.

[highorder]

As has been stated, most slides on most semi's are some form of blackened stainless.

I continue to see plenty of two tone guns, most with polymer frames.

as for the difference in density of stainless and carbon steel, it's negligible.

carbon steel = 7.88 g/cm3

stainless steel = 8.03 g/cm3

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"Whats the difference in weight between a 16.5 lb Keg that contains 1000 cubic inches of tin and a 16.5 lb Keg that contains 1000 cubic inches of steel when tin is .23 lbs per cubic inch and steel is .28 lbs per cubic inch? Show your work"

[ar10]

There are real good reasons for owning blued guns especially in long guns but a handgun that is going to see a lot of holster duty should be stainless IMO. I bought a stainless Taurus to carry and it still looks like brand new after quite a bit of carry time.
But they're so purrdy. :D:D

It's a good thing too IMO especially if you're going to be wearing your gun in a holster a lot.
The only wear I've seen is my first XD .45GAP, It didn't have the blueing my newer XD's have. I wear an IWB XD in a blade-tech holster for about 12 hrs a day every day of the year and right now I'm carrying the 40 sub, and have been since last June. No signs of wear on the outside at all, and I practice and shoot in matches all the time.

[AK-47Ghost]

I have a Colt Mk.IV series 80 enhanced Govt. model in SS and absolutely love it!Bought it on my 21st birthday and it is stiil my favorite gun!!Stainless is NOT rust-proof, only resistant...and apparently you can get a better slide to frame fit with carbon steel...but polished stainless is just so boss!!!