Decided on Black Nitride

[AbitNutz]

I have a S&W 1911E that also has a 460 Rowland kit. I just couldn't stand the mix and match of stainless and blued parts any longer. I stripped it down to every last pin and screw and drove up to H&M Metal Processing in Akron. It was cheaper to drive the couple hours in my daughters econobox than it was to ship it.

They'll have it done by Tuesday or so in their trade name finish "Black Nitride". Since I stripped it, the cost is only $200.00 for the slide, frame, multiple barrels and many duplicated parts....no extra charge. They treat gun owners extremely well.

H&M is a family owned business that does almost all the OEM Nitrocarburizing, including S&W.

I knew I would like dealing with these people right away when I walked into their offices and was greeted by the dog....I'll let you all know how it turns out with a few pictures.

 

[BSA1]

Do they have a website?

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Can't wait for the pix!!

VooDoo

 

[9mmepiphany]

It is a great family owned business and the kids are really making their father proud.

They stand behind their metal treatments and go overboard in insuring that their customers are happy

 

[AbitNutz]

Here's the website http://www.blacknitride.com/

 

[bannockburn]

AbitNutz

Thanks for the link. Definitely something I will look into for my next refinishing job.

 

[Big Shrek]

Interesting, but they do need MUCH better pics on their website...
so we'll definitely be looking forward to the pics of your gun when completed...
LOTS of them

 

[BSA1]

Thank you for the link. Do you know if the process blackens stainless steel?

 

[HOOfan_1]

Thank you for the link. Do you know if the process blackens stainless steel?

The full QPQ process with post oxidation treatment is supposed to leave a layer of black magnetite Fe3O4 on the surface.

 

[BSA1]

Thank you. I have a stainless steel grip safety I have been holding off installing a blued 1911. It sounds like this process will make everything the same color,

 

[AbitNutz]

My S&W 1911E was a mix of stainless and blue. Now it's all a cool looking black...I have it back and just finished assembling it. I'll have pictures soon.

The "Black Nitride" process is a QPQ and salt bath ferritic nitrocarburizing. It's a surface treatment and as I understand it, it doesn't deposit anything on the surface. It actually changes the surface.

I'll tell you one thing...it's hard and I mean really hard. I was installing the rear sight with a drift and slipped...ooops! I thought great, I nice scratch right across the slide. I looked at the long mark and rubbed it off with my finger.

 

[CCS3]

Black nitride is a great finish. One of my favorites.

 

[Drail]

It is a very good finish. Much better than any of the "shake and bake" spray on stuff.