Best Finish for a Two-Toned 1911

[Texasred]

Hey everyone, I was curious for a project that I have coming up. I'm buying a Series 70 in carbon steel soon with an end in mind of a two-tone flavor.
This is going to be a high end project that will be of heirloom mindset. There are so many options that I can't really find what is the best finish that I want. What would offer these characteristics:

1. Brushed Stainless appearance
2. Superior wear characteristics
3. Great corrosion protection

So between Nickel-Teflon, Hard Chrome, and NP3 I'm lost. So far my research is pointing to hard chrome. I'm planning on tightening the frame to slide and I want to hold that fit as long as possible. I don't really want a stainless frame unless you can convince me otherwise. This gun will be a carry gun. The slide will have a blue finish until it wears and then will get NP3 or Black T at a later date. I want the frame done right from the get go because it is much more trouble shipping a frame around. I'm going to be using Springfield's Custom shop for all the work. I know that they outsource the finishes. But since I plan on having fitting done I would rather have them run it. Any help you might offer is greatly appreciated.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

Have the gun cerrakoted to what ever scheme appeals to you. I see you're from Houston so go to Cerrakote's web page and find authorized dealer/applicators. I just had a 1911 done for $230.00 frame and slide with parts a different color.

 

[Olympus]

Not to discourage you, but you could very likely get a semi-custom like a Fusion build exactly how you want it for the same cost as what you're likely going to spend trying to turn an old Colt into what you want.

 

[Texasred]

Here's the Gun I'm Trying to Tribute!

I do appreciate the advice in regards to the Fusion. But I'm using the Colt because it's kind of a tribute of sorts of a certain 1911 and the gun was specifically a Series 70 with a pony on the slide.

When I referred to wear in my talking points I should have been more specific as I was referring the metal to metal wear. I'm understanding that these coatings have a lubricating property that extends the life/wear of the firearm.

 

[jfrey]

My FIL had a whole 1911 done in NP3+ and it is holding up really well. I had a frame on one of mine done too with the same results. I also had a frame done in Rogard which is holding up just fine. The NP3+ looks similar to a bead blast stainless, but not exactly. Robar's finishes seem to hold up and their CS has been good as well. The NP3+ also comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

[RustyShackelford]

My advice....

If you want a 2 tone look for a 1911a1 pistol, Id look into www.apwcogan.com , www.robarguns.com or Metalife, www.Mahovskysmetalife.com .
I'm fond of Metalife. It's a smooth nickel-grey & doesn't bust the wallet.

Robar NP3+ is great too but the wait times are long.
I've owned 02 Beretta 96D .40s with NP3 that worked great. I had 0 issues with them. I had the pistol magazines treated too.

Either of these shops can offer top quality work. I would not add Rogard. It's black & has a lifetime warranty but scuffs/nicks quickly.

Rocky Mountain Arms/Bearcoat is highly rated too. They are like a coating or CeraKote. The shop reportedly stood out in a detailed, extended T&E by Cabela's staff(outdoor guides). Only the Bearcoat firearms withstood all the elements & rough use. Alaska, South America, Africa, etc.
That comes in silver, black, OD green, tan, etc.

 

[jerkface11]

Hard chrome fits all of your criteria.

 

[surjimmy]

This is my EDC, it is a 1955 LW Commander in 38 Super. The frame is HC, and is over 20yrs old.

 

[bannockburn]

I second the notion of checking out Mahovskys Metalife for your refinishing. I have had a number of guns hard chromed by them and the results have always been first rate.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Gold and black. Tiger stripes.

 

[Drail]

Blued or Parked slide and hard chrome frame. Nothing else even comes close for durability. You might need to have the slide refinished on a heavy use gun but the frame will last pretty much forever. The shop I worked for used Accurate Plating and Weaponry in Florida for many years and we never had any complaints. They are very professional and their work speaks for itself. And the owner Bob Cogan is a true gentlemen who will treat you right.

 

[19-3Ben]

So between Nickel-Teflon, Hard Chrome, and NP3 I'm lost.

I think NP3 IS Nickel-Teflon.
You may also want to look at NP3+. I've heard great things.
There's also Cerakote. Based on what I've seen it's a good finish, but not on the level of the others you are considering.
Have you looked into a nitrocarb process (melonite, tennifer, etc...)? Those are also awesome finishes.

 

[CraigC]

+1 for Accurate Plating, now in Alabama.

Hard chrome would be my choice. It is not quite as corrosion resistant as nickel (or NP3) but it's harder and more durable. I would have the whole thing finished at once for proper slide to frame fit.