[tdstout]

I'm looking to buy a new gun but cant decide on nickel plated or blued. Which one is more corrosion resistant? I already own stainless steel guns so don't suggest that please

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

Blued.
Nickel looks nice, however when it starts coming off, it can have sharp edges and look nasty.

A blued gun with a bit of wear looks pretty whereas a nickel-plated gun with wear looks like sh** in my humble opinion.

I believe with nickel plating, there are certain things you CANNOT use to clean or wipe it down or you will ruin the finish! I cannot think of anything that is not good for a blued gun!

[Remo223]

crazy advice in post 2 there. nickel is clearly more corrosion resistant than blued. That's the whole reason they invented nickel in the first place. Before they started producing stainless guns, nickel was your best option for corrosion resistance.

[The-King-Omega]

i have a nickel pistol and i clean it with flitz.... AMAZING STUFF. first time i cleaned my gun with it, it went form dull nickel like you get out of your pocket to mirror image... and has not dulled since..

BUT.... ive been told NOT to use it on blued....

dont know if its true or not, not going to risk it though...

[jimmyraythomason]

I go with blued. Like FDF says,nickle looks awful once it starts coming off and yes it will rust.

[ColtPythonElite]

Define "new" gun...Are you talking about buying a brand new gun or "new to you"?

[HOWARD J]

I have a Browning High Power P-35 made by FNH nickel plated finish. I purchased it about 50 years ago--has run thru about 10000 rds.
except for one tiny scratch--it looks like the day I purchased it.

[Remllez]

I agree with Remo and Howard,

I have a couple nickel plated revolvers bought new in the late sixties,they still get shot a few hundred rounds a year and with the help of a little Flitz every now and then they still look good. Neither one has flaked but they do show honest wear like any gun that vintage does.

Nickel was a good option for rust resistance in the day and they still have a certain special look that's much more distinguished than stainless to my eye.

[CraigC]

Nickel is vastly more corrosion resistant than bluing. If applied on a quality firearm by a reputable company and properly maintained, it will wear just fine and last a long time.

Flitz is an abrasive polish and I would not suggest using it on any firearm with any kind of regularity.

[Remo223]

I cannot think of anything that is not good for a blued gun!
seriously?

hint: keep it away from vinegar.

but also, even a simple fingerprint is corrosive to a blued finish. Bluing is extremely delicate compared to nickel.

[The-King-Omega]

remo223 i hear that...

and which one is going to hold up to holster wear better..... unless you dont mind the lighting of the blue-ing around the high areas. presuming you are going to cary it alot.

[oldbear]

As great is the old Colt "Royal blue" and the S&W "deep blue" finish looks, bluing is far from the best finish to protect any firearm. Nickel is a much more effective as a protective finish, yet I still prefer the classic look of a deep blue finish. As others have posted stainless steel is even better than nickel

[jimmyraythomason]

A highly polished blued firearm will resist rust very well if taken care of. The higher the polish,the less suseptible to rusting it becomes. Bluing will show wear but will not lighten with age. My personal taste runs toward dark blue or stainless. I find nickle plating too gaudy.

[Remo223]

bluing IS rust

[shotgunjoel]

That's the whole reason they invented nickel in the first place.
Um, I hope that you are referring to the invention of nickel plating on firearms, because I can assure you that nobody invented nickel, it's been around as long as stars have been burning...

[Remo223]

^um I hope you don't really think you are the only one that knows nickel is on the periodic table.

[The-King-Omega]

we always get the nerds star gazer

[tdstout]

If it's any help I'm specifically asking about a s&w model 40. I've been wanting to get one and was thinking about the nickel finish, but i wasn't sure.

[Remo223]

brand and model doesn't matter. Nickel is nickel.

Now, here's the REAL downside to nickel finish as compared to bluing:

1. lots harder to redo the finish if you need to. In fact, even a gunsmith cant do nickel
2. not as concealable(blinding bling can be seen a mile away)
3. goes better with gold grill work and a sideways ball cap and saggy pants
4. some will call it a sissy gun

[rcmodel]

Electroless Nickel finish is a whole nother ball game, and is very good stuff.
Without all the perceived problems of old-school high polish nickle plating.

rc

[jimmyraythomason]

I have all of the equipment and chemicals to do electroless nickel but I prefer hot bath bluing so I've never set it up.

[Ala Dan]

I own handguns in all three [blue, nickel, & stainless] types of finish/material.
My preference lies with S&W "deep blued" wheel-guns; although I must admit
that a well kept nickel [mirror finished] firearm is very pretty. In the days of
old, LEO's referred to nickel firearms as their "Sunday Specials"~! ;) :D

[Remo223]

interesting, rc...learn something new everyday.

[The-King-Omega]

i also have all three types, and though my nickel is very very pretty. i dont know if any tops my high polished 67 colt 1911 "royal blue"

[Loosedhorse]

Nickel. Done.

The nickel color is also "warmer" (less blue) than either polished stainless or chrome. It is a joy!

My latest:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/images/firearms/detail_md/150501_01_md.jpg

[jimmyraythomason]

With proper care,neither will have any problems with rust. Neither nickel,blue nor even stainless are corrosion proof. They ALL require attention. Choosing will be a matter of personal preferrence.

[buttrap]

Well I am going to be the jerk and say Parker process and electrolis powder coat if you like dark colors. Me I will go with nickle over blue as that is the most nasty excuse for a finish on a gun for use. The basic carded rust finished with rubbed in spar varnish like they used to put on rifles before blue was popular wore much better.

[The-King-Omega]

now thats is a pretty gun...lossedhorse

[CajunBass]

With proper care,neither will have any problems with rust. Neither nickel,blue nor even stainless are corrosion proof. They ALL require attention. Choosing will be a matter of personal preferrence.

Thank you. I've got both and I've never had the least bit of problem with either. I've never had a problem with rust on any gun. A wipe down ever so often with an oily rag is all they need.

Get the one you like.

[BossHogg]

My last two S&W a mod 36-1 and a mod 22-4 have both been nickel. The first thing I did with the 36 was put on ivory grips and it's a looker,IMO. Not sure what grips to go to on the 22-4 just yet.

I thing everyone ought to have at lease one nickel plated, if for nothing else just to fondle. ;)

[CraigC]

Me I will go with nickle over blue as that is the most nasty excuse for a finish on a gun for use.
Some people have a really, really weird perception of bluing. Almost as if they were molested by a Registered Magnum as a child. Seemingly completely detached from reality.

[jad0110]

Quote:
With proper care,neither will have any problems with rust. Neither nickel,blue nor even stainless are corrosion proof. They ALL require attention. Choosing will be a matter of personal preferrence.

Thank you. I've got both and I've never had the least bit of problem with either. I've never had a problem with rust on any gun. A wipe down ever so often with an oily rag is all they need.

Same here, though I don't own any nickel plated guns. I've never had a problem with rust, ever. My most frequently carried guns are blued, and I carry in the southeast not far from the ocean. As a test, I went 3 weeks in the dog days of summer without a wipedown of my well worn Ruger Police Service Six and not one spot of rust appeared.

Some people have a really, really weird perception of bluing. Almost as if they were molested by a Registered Magnum as a child. Seemingly completely detached from reality.

Lots of people these days do; some believe that if you fart within 10 feet of a blued firearm it'll turn green and rust completely right in front of your eyes :p . Some guys do report rust problems, so maybe some people just have more caustic sweat than others. I dunno.