Blue or Black Chrome

[schmeky]

I am sending off a 1911 I am doing some mild modifications to and want to get it refinished. At first, I was going for a "matte" blue on the frame and top of the slide, and 'mirror' high polish blue on the slide flats.

I was thinking of black chrome for the frame and sticking with the contrasting blue on the slide, but I have read that black chrome has relatively poor abrasion resistance and relatively poor corrosion resistance as well. I have also read the black chrome has a greenish tint unless it is polished to make it black. I don't want any hint of green on this pistol.

This pistol will be a weekend shooter and will not be a CCW.

Anyone have any black chrome experience good or bad?

Thanx.

 

[Alphazulu6]

You obviously have alot of cash to sink into this bad boy.... I did read that colored chrome is not as durable as the regular type. But that was from one of the aftermarket companys websites (and they were charging outragious prices).

It sounds asthetically pleasing though

 

[target1911]

have you seen one with the Matte blue/Polished blue contrast yet???
I have a friend that has a Kimber Royal II with that finish.
Its a nice lookin gun, but I wasnt crazy about it...just MPO.
If you havnt seen one yet...look at it first.
I cant comment on the black chrome durability but I have seen Harley parts finished like that and it looks very nice

 

[Mad Magyar]

As Alphazulu mentioned, you might be sinking too much into the pistol...I spent $175 for a complete CobraChrome job for my 1911 and I had 2nd thoughts...
I agree with your reservations about the black chrome job...
If you like a pic of mine let me know...I've shown it enough to where some get tired of seeing the same pic...

 

[schmeky]

Mad Magyar,

I have a bad habit of putting more into a pistol than I could ever get out of it. I just great satisfaction from a "project".

The pistol in question is a 1911 Norinco in excellent condition with some mild modifications. Black chrome would run around $300.00 with shipping both ways factored in. Blue (the type I want) would run about $225.00.

I would like to see your pic if you have the time.