Hard Chrome Vs. NP3 for durability?

[JLStorm]

I am considering having my HK USP either hard chromed or coated in NP3. I really like the look of a bright hard chrome, but I have heard that NP3 wont show scratches as readily even though it is softer than hard chrome, not to mention the added teflon gives it quite a bit of lubricity. My HK is used strictly for work and CCW, and gets bumped around quite a bit, so durability is my main concern. Any suggestions, opinions and/or photos would be appreciated.

 

[browningguy]

Matte hard chrome is tough to beat. All the protection of hard chrome without showing the scratches.

 

[GunNut]

IMHO I would probably choose the NP3, if for no other reason than it's self lubricating properties.

 

[the naked prophet]

If you get a parkerized finish (and then coat it in proper grease and bake it to soak the grease into the porous finish), that should be more durable and quite lubricious (?) without having to worry about the teflon flaking out.

 

[Shipwreck]

Hard chrome - unless U scratch it with a metal object, it won't mark. It's pretty much holster wear proof.

 

[AK103K]

Hard chrome will show holster wear, and rust if you dont maintain it.

This was the pistol I carried daily for about 10 years, most of it in a Blade Tech kydex holster. What appears to be black streaks is actually bright polished chrome from the holster. If you look closely near the safety, you can also see some faint rust marks. The chrome rusts nothing like a blued gun, mostly just a light surface rust that wipes off, but you do need to keep up on it. This pistol was chromed because it did rust badly due to me sweating like a pig and wet leather holsters.

 

[HSMITH]

Hard chrome is hands down more durable than NP3, it isn't even a fair comparison. The NP3 is more corrosion resistant and a little better in inherent lubricity than hard chrome, but as far as durabilty goes it isn't even a contest.