Best Custom Finish Company?

[Mastrogiacomo]

I have two Beretta compacts I'd like to give a custom finish to. I'd like one to be in Black and the other Nickel. I hear that Nickel finishes from Robar will scratch easy and slippery and hard to grip when wet. I've looked at Arizona Response Systems, Robar, and Tripp Research. Which company is best for the nickel finishes and custom jobs overall for quality, price, and timely return of the guns? Thanks. :)

[Boats]

I think you should be aware that all nickle finishes will scratch easier than hard chrome, but they are alot tougher than you think. I find that Robar's NP3 is slippery metal-to-metal but I didn't do my grips in it and the checkering on my mainspring housing still provides as much bite as ever, even in the rain of Oregon. :neener:

I also think you will be hard pressed to find a black finish as good as that the Beretta factory provides you. They will refinish your weapon for a fee. You could always go "cajun" and have BUSA anodize the aluminum frame of one in silver/gray and have them refinish the slide in Bruniton. :cool:

[Mastrogiacomo]

Boats -- what about the entire top half of the pistol in nickel but the grips and trigger in roguard? A good look and grip?

[Mark IV Series 80]

I haven't had a firearm re-finished, but I hear that these guys are good:

http://www.apwcogan.com/Greetings.htm

[cratz2]

I doubt you will hear many bad things about Tripp. Most of the good pistolsmiths recommend them without reservation.

[Wildalaska]

For "silver" use Checkmate....

For "Black" use Bear Cote from Rocky mountain Arms...

Do not use Fords under any cricustances...

WildthekingoffinishAlaska

[Kahr carrier]

I second Tripp my buddy had his PPk Cobra Chromed ,they did a nice job.:)

[WESHOOT2]

Robar
AP&W
Tripp
Metalife
BodyCote

And so many others............

[incursion]

I would not go with Checkmate or Metalife. I have never heard anything bad about Metaloy, Tripp's, or Ford's.

[Wildalaska]

I would not go with Checkmate or Metalife. I have never heard anything bad about Metaloy, Tripp's, or Ford's.

Just so its clear and fair to Checkmate, I have had over 100 guns chromed by them. Their quality is excellent. I think thats a good enough statistical sample.

As to Fords, stay away from them. I dont make it a habit to publically denigrate a company withoput good reason, but Fords is definately a disaster. I have seen numerous screw ups from them.

[incursion]

I heard that the cofounder of Checkmate left to start Ford's. He wanted to do lower volume.

[sanchezero]

I've heard of and seen some good stuff from Tripp's. I like the 9-shop-day turnaround they advertise.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

http://www.stealth-coat.com/

[CWL]

Virgil Tripp has done several of my handguns in HC and polymer.

I would not hesitate to use him again under any circumstance, thus I feel confident about recommending him to others. He is easy to talk to on the phone, and will provide suggestions based on his experiences.

A lot of the H&K P7M8 cult community use him, and we are bitchy bunch of whiners if something ever goes wrong. Never heard any complaint about Tripp.

[braindead0]

[QUOTE]Has anyone had any experience with this?
http://www.stealth-coat.com/[QUOTE]

No, but I just read their site...filled with subjective marketing speak ...jibber jabber. Their FAQ seems to be pretty short on FACTS and very heavy on non-answers ("if this" and "if that").

I'd say be wary, not that they aren't good..

[M1911]

And not a single picture of the finished product to be seen on their web site. Odd.

[sanchezero]

I came across it here and in the article referenced in this link. Everyone involved seems happy with it, but your right about the marketese...

http://defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=258

[Sean Smith]

Some handy threads that might make you want to re-consider about AP&W or Checkmate (and alot of kudos for Tripp):

http://www.brianenos.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard//topic.cgi?forum=38&topic=134

http://www.brianenos.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard//topic.cgi?forum=38&topic=127

http://www.brianenos.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard//topic.cgi?forum=3&topic=19&start=10

[incursion]

I have heard of Ford screwing up, but they will make it right no matter what it takes according to a gunsmith that I've dealt with.

[Wildalaska]

I have heard of Ford screwing up, but they will make it right no matter what it takes according to a gunsmith that I've dealt with.

Some things just cant be made right..

Whatever, just hope nobody gets burned, dont say I didnt put the warning out.

WildcaveatemptorAlaska

[Sven]

Funny how we can all basically be anonymous here, and yet we are allowed to freely take 'shots' at any company by name.

Caveat Emptor is advised on forums, as well.

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'm just trying to find the best company to finish my guns so don't look at me...;)

By the way, how many of you have actually had your guns finished, and how do you think it improves the quality of the gun if any? Is it just the looks or does it really prolong the life of the firearm?

[kalibear45]

Two thumbs up to Tripp Research for their excellent customer service and more importantly, the quality of the work...

[CWL]

Mastrogiacomo ,

HC protects and prolongs the life of your guns. HC decreases wear and corrosion. HC makes your guns 'slicker' because of nature of chrome and resists residue buildup. My HC'd guns are wiped down with oily rag internally and externally after firing, which is all the cleaning they need. Barrel still needs cleaning. Lubrication is necessary but I use grease since oil moves around alot on HC.

Do a search on this forum as well as TFL for discussions on HC.

Also visit http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=10;DaysPrune=
for discussions & opinions on HC and other finishes. You will find that Virgil Tripp is a good guy.

btw, I don' think that a HC'd gun will be disadvantageous for SD purposes. In dire moments, a pistol will be drawn very quickly, there will not be much time for 'pistol flash' to warn the BG(s), besides, it will likely be night time. Pistol color has no relevance if it comes down to gunplay.

[Nightcrawler]

What about Check Mate Custom (http://www.checkmatecustom.com)? They seem to have a wide selection and good prices. I want my 25-5 refinished. This may be blasphemy but I greatly dislike glossy blue on a field gun.

[Prodigalshooter]

Well, I have only had my Robar refinished Springfield for about two months now, but I'm glad I did it. The action is smoother, trigger has improved (it was already very good), cleaning is twice as easy and it looks good to boot. I was talking to a fellow at a match awhile back and he'd had one of his Colts done by Robar several years back. He is very pleased with the way the finish has held up and he shoots a lot, teaches and competes.
I'd say, if you want the most bang for the buck, have the internals done with NP3, then you get smoother functioning w/o getting fancy on the outside and you save some $$.

[Wildalaska]

Funny how we can all basically be anonymous here, and yet we are allowed to freely take 'shots' at any company by name.

Anybody that cares to can PM me and I will be happy to detail the problems with Fords. But then again, its YOUR gun, not mine.