[CONNEX 3300]

I want a Springfield Loaded Champion. I prefer the looks of the Armory Kote, but I like the look of stainless too. My question is which is more durable? Will the Armory Kote chip off? Is the inside of the gun more likely to rust in high humidity than the stainless? I would love it if yall that own Armory Kote Springfields would tell me your experiences so far. Unless I hear that stainless is way more durable I will go Armory Kote, but thought I would see what the experienced guys say.

[mbopp]

My AK TRP is showing some holster wear from USPSA shooting. At least with stainless you can refinish it with a Scotchbrite pad!

[dfariswheel]

Armor Coat is a finish. ALL gun finishes will get worn and/or damaged, no matter what they are. Once the finish coat is compromised by wear or damage, the base metal is fully exposed to rust or other damage.
Once damaged, most gun finishes cannot be repaired short of a full refinish.
Scratch or chip it, and there's nothing that can be done to "fix it" unless you have the finish stripped off an a new finish applied.

Stainless steel is not a finish, it's a metal. It's stainless all the way through. If the surface is scratched or damaged it can simply be repaired by using a Scotchbrite pad, bead blasting, or re-polishing, depending on the type of treatment it originally had.
If the original finish was satin stainless and you'd like a bright polish, that can be done by either having a professional polish it or you can use a metal polish and rags to give it more of a shine.
If the finish is shiny and you want dull, you can change that too.
In other words, since stainless is a metal, you can change the appearance at will.