Is Glock still using that thin,greyish finish that everyone was so unimpressed with?

[MIL-DOT]

Given the years of bitter dissatisfaction from Glock fans about this finish, you'd think they'd go back to that oddly textured, black "frying pan" finish that was so resilient, or at least something that didn't scratch and wear through at the slightest breeze like this thin, smooth grey finish.
I seem to recall reading something about them finally addressing this, but I wasn't very interested at the moment, and didn't pay close attention. Now, I'm curious again.
So, anyone know if anythng's been changed lately?

 

[CNobbe]

Yes, they are.

 

[Bobson]

How long ago did they have the black finish you mentioned?

I've owned three Glocks (earliest was bought in early 2012), most recent one was bought in the last six months. Pretty darn sure they all had a gray finish (sold the two I bought early on), and never had a problem with it.

 

[Dan-O]

Don't care. Gen 2's are all I tote. Use em and abuse em. They're tools, not fancy jewelry.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Is Glock still using that thin,greyish finish that everyone was so unimpressed with?

I'm not unimpressed with it. Seems fine and has held up well. It's a Glock. If it gets a scratch, it's a badge of honor.

 

[MIL-DOT]

How long ago did they have the black finish you mentioned?.

Information on this in conflicting, even directly from Glock, but as best I can tell, they stopped in early 2010.

It's a Glock. If it gets a scratch, it's a badge of honor.

That's absurd, it isn't a "badge of honor" (unless maybe you got them at D-Day ).
What it IS a badge of is Glock cheapening their product, and knowingly screwing (and ignoring) their customers, in order to maximize profits.

Don't care. Gen 2's are all I tote. Use em and abuse em. They're tools, not fancy jewelry.

Great, another stupid and useless answer. If you don't know and don't care, then you have ZERO reason for weighing on in this thread.
I was asking for information on something, not for your opinion how how trivial you believe it to be.
And, do you intentionally "abuse" all your other expensive tools, like your car, refrigerator, sunglasses, power tools, household appliances, lawnmower, etc.etc.?
I didn't think so.

Yes, they are.

Thanks!

 

[FireInCairo]

Glock fans are very defensive about this topic, which is why there's so much cognitive dissonance on it.

The fact is, the finishes have changed and they aren't as durable. Pretty simple. Whether it bothers you or not is up to you, but it's undeniable.

Hey, Glock's aren't what they used to be. The last Gen 3 glock I bought had the softest medal on the slide. The rails on the slide were getting worn down through regular use. I've seen brass shavings in a slide from use, but steel shavings? :banghead:

 

[tarosean]

What it IS a badge of is Glock cheapening their product, and knowingly screwing (and ignoring) their customers, in order to maximize profits.

They have been at that since 2009, yet the kool aid drinkers keep drinking..

 

[Ziro]

Not sure. Maybe I'm just color blind.

I do notice a difference in some more than others. Some feel slick and buttery while others feel like they have a matte type of finish. I like either.

 

[jmr40]

I have several dating between. The 1990's production to 2015. I have to look very close to see any difference. They have all held up equally

 

[MIL-DOT]

Unless you guys are looking at pistols that all have the identical finish, then the difference is quite noticable (I've owned both, and I can tell the difference at a glance, so it ain't rocket surgery).
This newer finish looks very smooth, and very thin, and has a bit of a greyish color, while the older "frying pan/teflon-looking" finish is a darker black color, that looks a bit thicker, and has some visible texture to it (while still being fairly slick,too).
This video shows the two finishes side-by-side. At about the 1:30 point, he gives close-ups and descriptions of both finishes.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVMhYcn5ddc
I've been reading for years now how this newer finish wears off, scratches, and even rusts, much more easily than the other finish. Just a few insertions into a kydex or leather holster is enough to mar the new finish, while many people with the older finish, report it looking nearly identical to how it looked when they bought it, years earlier, even with daily use.
At this point, the differences in these finishes is widely documented. It isn't fictional, and it isn't trivial.

 

[Bobson]

----

 

[Coal Dragger]

What I have read on other forums, making this 3rd hand information, is that Glock has discontinued the use of molten salt bath nitriding in favor of gas nitriding. The molten salt bath supposedly gives a more durable finish, but must be done at higher heat, and the salts (typically cyanide salt) are extremely toxic and require special disposal. Hence cost is higher.

The actual finish between the two as far as texture should be nearly identical given equal surface finish on the untreated steel part.

 

[danez71]

Given the years of bitter dissatisfaction from Glock fans about this finish, you'd think they'd go back to that oddly textured, black "frying pan" finish that was so resilient, or at least something that didn't scratch and wear through at the slightest breeze like this thin, smooth grey finish.
I seem to recall reading something about them finally addressing this, but I wasn't very interested at the moment, and didn't pay close attention. Now, I'm curious again.
So, anyone know if anythng's been changed lately?

They're still using it.

This topic has come up 3 times in the last week or two with some good technical info and links about the difference of nitriding and the finish.


However, all of those threads seemed to turn into a contest of yellow streams and stubbornness. And this one is already turning that way as evidenced by your own statement.

What it IS a badge of is Glock cheapening their product, and knowingly screwing (and ignoring) their customers, in order to maximize profits.

Seems like you already had your answer.

 

[<*(((><]

In an article written about the Walther PPS M2 (of which I just purchased and was researching), Glock stopped using the tenifer finish due to the off gases of the process producing cyanide.

In addition, the Walther PPS M2 will retain the chamber view port, and visible and tactile cocking indicator on the rear of the slide. This is a very nice feature to ensure the pistol is loaded, without having to perform a partial slide drawback. The PPS M2 will have a black Tenifer coated slide and barrel.

The low profile 3-dot sights, and the loaded chamber indicator are both great features.
The low profile 3-dot sights, and the loaded chamber indicator are both great features.
It is interesting to see Walther advertising a Tenifer coating. This is the same coating that Glock had used from its inception, but changed about 5-6 years ago. The reason for the change was the process to make Tenifer creates cyanide as a by-product, and has been generally banned in both Europe and the U.S. Glock switched to a different coating (likely Melonite) that still produces the near-diamond hardness and protection, but does so without the cyanide by-product.

Hyperlink to Article: http://www.bluesheepdog.com/2016/01/05/new-walther-pps-m2-pistol/


Don't ask me how Walther is still using the Tenifer finish as they are produced next door to Austria in Germany.

 

[Bobson]

Looks like Glock isn't going out of their way to give customers the shaft, but is instead saving the world.

Lol

(Settle down, just a joke.)

 

[M1key]

A word on nitride finish...CZ P07 and P09 polymer frame guns use them. A user claims 3000 rounds through his 09 and the internals look like new. Can't wait to run up higher counts in mine.

I would love to see Glock adopt this treatment.

M

 

[MIL-DOT]

What I have read on other forums, making this 3rd hand information, is that Glock has discontinued the use of molten salt bath nitriding in favor of gas nitriding. The molten salt bath supposedly gives a more durable finish, but must be done at higher heat, and the salts (typically cyanide salt) are extremely toxic and require special disposal. Hence cost is higher.

Yep, after much digging around, this is my understanding as well. They're using a different method to apply a similar hardening treatment, but that it doesn't perform as well.

 

[MIL-DOT]

....Don't ask me how Walther is still using the Tenifer finish as they are produced next door to Austria in Germany.

Again, from what I've read in numerous authoritative posts, it is a mispconception that Glock stopped using the tenifer finish because of EPA restrictions and environmental concerns. Tenifer,Melonite, etc. are all salt-bath-nitrocarburizing processes, that are all basically the same thing under different trademark names. They have not been banned, obviously, since we currently see products made with this treatment coming out of Europe the US. As I understand, the change to the new treatment was a choice on Glock's part, simply based on economics.
But again, like many others here, I am repeating information I've dug up on the interwebz, but given some of the sources and details, I do believe it to be accurate.

 

[Bobson]

So what's the point of this thread anyway? Sounds like you came into it with more knowledge (presumable knowledge anyway) than most of the people who will read it.

Just wanted to double-check your information, or just wanted to let everyone know you dislike Glock and here's why?

 

[wild cat mccane]

No one in here has said it yet.

There is a difference between a metal treatment (Walther Teffiner, S&W Melonite) and the finish (aka blueing or polycoat)

 

[danez71]

Again, from what I've read in numerous authoritative posts, it is a mispconception that Glock stopped using the tenifer finish because of EPA restrictions and environmental concerns. Tenifer,Melonite, etc. are all salt-bath-nitrocarburizing processes, that are all basically the same thing under different trademark names. They have not been banned, obviously, since we currently see products made with this treatment coming out of Europe the US. As I understand, the change to the new treatment was a choice on Glock's part, simply based on economics.
But again, like many others here, I am repeating information I've dug up on the interwebz, but given some of the sources and details, I do believe it to be accurate.

Well, sort of.

In one of those other threads I mentioned, I linked a few different pdf's from the owning company and it talks a fair amount about the efforts to reduce toxic byproducts for environmental reasons and the associated costs.

The EPA type agencies tend to heavily tax/penalize long before actual banning. Look at 1,1,1 trichlor as an example.

The increase in cost is because of environmental issues.

 

[MIL-DOT]

So what's the point of this thread anyway? Sounds like you came into it with more knowledge (presumable knowledge anyway) than most of the people who will read it.

Just wanted to double-check your information, or just wanted to let everyone know you dislike Glock and here's why?

The "point" of the thread should be obvious, given that it's clearly stated in the OP. I wanted to know if Glock has made any recent positive changes to their slide finishes. There is still a lot of conflicting information out there, and I assumed this forum was as likely as anyplace to have someone that had some factual information.
And, not only am I NOT a Glock-hater, I've been an owner and a fan of them since purchasing one the earliest ones ever imported back around 1985.

 

[improperlyaged]

Im not sure if they are or not but what I do know is when I sent in my 2nd gen 19 that had absolutely no finish left on it for a frame replacement they did refinish the gun. It was a VERY cheap coating of some sort that rubbed off within 2 months of use. I don't really mind considering I didn't pay for the refinish job I just know it was not a durable finish at all.

 

[Fishbed77]

And, do you intentionally "abuse" all your other expensive tools, like your car, refrigerator, sunglasses, power tools, household appliances, lawnmower, etc.etc.?

Nailed it.