Hard Chrome/Black Chrome refinishing suggestions?

You could contact APW, they used to be in Florida.
http://www.apwcogan.com/Greetings.htm

I do not see the advantage of finding a plater in Florida unless you plan to hand carry your gun to him. Otherwise, Tripp has a good reputation but you would have to call to find out the turnaround time.

Rebel's in Wildwood offers Hard Chrome. At one time they were well regarded.

Here's the top re-finishers that offer plating:

http://www.originalmetaloy.com/

http://www.fordsguns.com/

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

http://www.trippresearch.com/

http://www.techplate.com/firearms_pl.htm

http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/

http://www.robarguns.com/

http://www.armoloyftworth.com/Armoloy_WebDevelopment/Web_Pages/Firearms_Applications.htm

Note that black chrome is NOT anywhere nearly as durable as hard chrome.
Black chrome is no better than ordinary bright nickel and is considered to be not much more than a decorative finish.

Your logic of shipping closer will prevent it from being stolen is a stretch. I would just advise to ship it so it doens't look like a firearm box. I've sent my firearms across the country without incident, so it's not as if 9/10 firearms shipped are "lost." I'd concentrate more on the quality of work, rather than worry about how far you must ship.

I have used Tripp Research for a hard chrome job on my slide. There turn around time was pretty quick at three weeks.

Shipping firearms across the country is pretty safe as long as you take a few precautions. Don't mark the box as to contents and that means don't use the original Remington, Colt, Ruger, etc. box unless it's inside another box. Be sure to insure it for enough to cover full replacment...insurance is pretty cheap. Don't try to go the cheap route by declaring it as "toilet bowl floats" so you can save on the required Priority Overnite for handguns. (More below)
We've had excellent luck shipping with FedEx and their tracking system is top notch. We won't ship with UPS due to lots of problems with their central depot guys "borrowing" stuff.
The bad news is that handguns must be shipped via Priority Overnite. That can add signifiicantly to the cost of any work that you have done. The good news is that the shippers don't use the same rules as ATF. To ATF, the frame is the handgun but to the shipper, it's just a part and can be shipped by any method you choose. We regularly receive boxes of parts that can ALMOST be assembled into a complete handgun....ALMOST being the key word. Those boxes of parts arrive via slower and cheaper methods. Keep yer powder dry, Mac.
Tuff-Gun Finishes. The Name Says It All
Mac's Shootin' Irons
http://www.shootiniron.com

I have always had luck with Bob Cogan http://www.apwcogan.com/
fair price and delivers on time, his sight has pictures of his work. He has been doing firearms for more then 25 years that I have used him. He has hard chromed more then 30 rifles and twice that many handguns for my customers.

I had one done by Ron Mahovsky, it came out beautiful and the turn around time was a month. His prices ar3e very good also.

I saw pictures of Salty's 1911 on XD Talk, and it looks very good.
I am looking at the same finisher because of his great looking gun!

Regards,

Jamie

Tripp usually has the quickest turnaround time.

+1

+1 http://www.apwcogan.com/

I just called "Accurate Plating" from the link above, and they were extremely helpful over the phone.

I don't have the money to invest in their "Ceraguard" finish, but it sure looks to be the way to go if I want to convert my factory chrome (nickel?) to something darker for tactical carry purposes.