Cerakote on a revolver durability?

[19-3Ben]

I've recently come across a place locally that does nice cerakote jobs at a very fair price. I have a Security Six that could REALLY use it.
In my searching for info, I've found a couple of threads from people who had recently had it done on revolvers, but I don't see any long term info.

My main issue is this: I know it's supposedly great when it comes to abrasion resistance and protection from elements, which is why it does so well on long guns, and handguns. I can see how the same would make a lot of sense on a revolver, but the revolver has one big difference. A bore-cylinder gap.
My question is about durability of an applied surface to withstand the blast of a relatively high pressure/high temp gasses of the .357mag at the B-C gap. I'd be afraid that it could blast through the cerakote at the top strap, forcing cone, and cylinder chamber faces to expose the metal beneath then start flaking from there.

I know I can also hard chrome, etc.. etc.. if I'm that desperate to get it refinished, but specifically about cerakote, any thoughts?

 

[boricua9mm]

A local Certified Cerakote applicator showed me his EDC 642 that was refinished. I asked him lots of questions and all of his answers were spot-on; I know that he knows the ins & outs of the process. That revolver looked horrible. The forcing cone wasn't the biggest offender, it was the turn line and locking recesses of the cylinder. It looked atrocious. I wouldn't Cerakote a revolver, but that's just me.

Maybe it's just my own experience, but it seems like metal-on-metal contact areas are not ideal candidates for spray-on finishes.

 

[Armor Snail]

Local refinisher here tested cerakote quite a bit on revolvers.
Don't do it.
Send it out for hot bluing or metalife.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Bearcoat....

I've read a few + reviews & feedback about the Rocky Mountain Arms process called Bearcoat. One forum post stated Cabelas, www.Cabelas.com did a year long in depth T&E with a few guns(rifles, handguns, shotguns, etc) for wildlife industry professionals/guides. After the review period, only the Bearcoat process was able to meet all the requirements/work as described.
That's impressive. Bearcoat comes with a full lifetime service plan too.

Metalife, www.Mahovskysmetalife.com has a lot of + buzz. The website price to get a semi auto pistol upper is $78.00 USD. The shop time is only a few days also.

Rusty

 

[WC145]

I had this revolver hard chromed by Mahovsky's after most of the gunsmith work was done. My 'smith bead blasted the gun and Mahovsky's did a great job finishing it, the finish is very uniform and looks terrific. Their prices are very good, it was only $150 + $18 return shipping, and it's a finish that will last forever, unlike cerakote. I had it done a year ago and it took around 5 weeks. I'm very happy with their work and will definitely use them again.



This is what it looked like when I got it-

 

[19-3Ben]

Thanks guys. That kind of confirmed my suspicions. I might get the 1911 Cerakoted, but will leave the revolvers with another appropriate finish. Likely hard chrome.

 

[BSA1]

There is a local company that Ceracoats firearms. I had the opportunity to see their work and am very impressed with it. The slide to frame rail finish is very smooth and appears like it will need very little lube.

For revolvers I have misgivings about how well Ceracoat on the front of the cylinder will last due to the flame, hot gasses and grit. However the price is low enough that I will have a revolver done if I ever get one with a bad enough finish.

Every time I start getting ready to have one of my semi-autos done I get hung up on which colors. Lately I been leaning towards Burnt Bronze frame but unsure about the slide...Black or Dark Earth. Then again the O.D. Frame would look good.

 

[Armor Snail]

The cerakote gets burned very quickly. Like under 100 rounds quick.
Its a waste of money and any quality refinisher won't do it.

Hard chrome, nickel, & bluing is the only things that hold up.