[Lovesbeer99]

So let's say I love my SP101, or even a model 10, but I'd love it even more if it were nickel plated? Do people still do this work? How much for it? Is it the same quality as the factory job or just a cheap imitation?

[M57]

S&W still reblues/renickels guns and another good place is Fords Refinishing, I have seen guns done by Fords and they do beautiful work, and I have had S&W do a reblue for me and it also turned out great, they know what they are doing, rollmarks and lettering are still very crisp and the blueing is deep like the old ones and the nickel is just georgeous. It costs $300 give or take with shipping so in some ways it might not be worth it, might just want to buy a nickel 10, and use some Flitz or mothers on the ruger.

[The Lone Haranguer]

For a satin nickel:

Robar NP3 (http://robarguns.com/np3.htm)
Pricing (download PDF) (http://robarguns.com/specials.htm)

This is not really much different in appearance than the stainless steel, however. If you want electroplated, brightly polished nickel, perhaps someone else might know.

[Lovesbeer99]

Yeah, I'm thinking bright polish I can see it from the moon type of finish.
Always' wanted a Nickel, and I'm not a fan of stainless. All my revo's are blued. I see the utilitarian value of stainless and how nickel can pit etc, but it's just soo shiney.

[Jim K]

You can have it done but it won't be cheap. One reason is that adding a layer of nickel (or any other metal) interferes with the close fitting of parts like the sideplate and crane. Those have to be polished carefully so they will fit right after plating.

AFAIK, S&W still offers some of their classics in nickel finish, but I don't think Ruger does.

Jim

[Eightball]

If you really like the shiney, and can see the utilitarian value of Stainless, why not look into Hard Chroming? From my understanding, it's supposed to be one of the more durable finishes out there.

[ArmedBear]

S&W offers a lot of guns in nickel these days. Seems others share Lovesbeer99's taste (and my taste -- they also offer color casehardened frames).

The "Classics" section for your perusal: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=48302&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701

The Engraved section: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15715&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701&sectionId=18801&content=19332

Cabela's had one of these Model 29s the other day. The photo doesn't do it justice. It was gorgeous.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/150202_large.jpg

I just know I wouldn't use it, so until I amass a few more .44s, I buy guns I plan to use. For me, that mostly means stainless. Blue looks nice for a short while, then proceeds to look like crap, if the gun sees real use.

Ruger doesn't offer nickel guns, but they do sell the New Vaquero in polished stainless.

http://ruger.com/Firearms/images/Product-Variations/295.jpg

Uberti sells some really nice nickel revolvers, as well as silver plated and coin finish engraved models.

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/images/1873_cattleman_engraved_nickel_pearl.jpg
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/images/top_break_nickel.jpg
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/images/1875_army_outlaw_nickel.jpg

[Lovesbeer99]

I just bought a cimarron in a case hardened finish and it's pretty. I still like blue, especially if it has a little wear to it. Stainless just seams so sterilized to me. It's not pretty, it's doesn't wear like a good blue and just seams like a dull solution. Having said that...

OK, tell me about hard chrome. Any photos? How muc3h, and how durable.


FYI this is a thread with a photo of a custom nickel GP100 on page 3 of the thread. It was posted by REB.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=431315&page=

[The Lone Haranguer]

The stainless steel could be brightly polished and have the appearance (though subtly different) of nickel plate.

[xring]

You want nickel? You got it.
http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/index.htm
Nice work and the price is right.

[Eightball]

I still think this question merits attention:
OK, tell me about hard chrome. Any photos? How muc3h, and how durable.

[owlhoot]

Hard chrome is an excellent finish. very scratch and wear resistant. See the link that Xring posted to Metalife. This outfit does excellent hard chrome work as well as the classic nickel.

[.41Dave]

OK, tell me about hard chrome. Any photos? How muc3h, and how durable.

I don't have any photos, but hard chrome is about the most durable finish available. It costs about the same as a good nickel refinish, and is usually done in a matte or brushed finish, giving the look of stainless steel. It can be done in a high polish, usually for a bit more money. The high polish finish looks a lot like nickel, but while nickel has a soft, very slightly yellowish tone, polished hard chrome will have a harder more bluish tint.