Is stainless automatically a better finish?

[Coronach]

Stainless is totally practical. It won't rust in normal use (it can rust though, be advised), and any light scuffs and scratches can be polished or buffed out, unless the surface is textured (and even then probably could be fixed, with care).

It does lack character and beauty, though. I believe it was Tamara who called a stainless M65 a "M19 with a soulectomy", and I think she has a point.

Blue just looks better. Sure is a PITA to keep looking that way, though.

Mike

 

[CarbineKid]

I have been trying to figure out what finish to get on my next gun. I perfer stainless, but I like the blue. The one good think about a blued gun is you can always refinsh it. Im not so sure on Stainless.

 

[Car Knocker]

Actually, stainless steel is easily refinished. Polished areas can be re-polished and matted areas can be bead-blasted. Both of these can be done at home by a reasonably adept person.

 

[jclif1995]

I prefer a dark finish. I start with blue if it comes that way. when it all rubs off to the point i think a new finish is needed, i send it off for another "dark finish".

now. what is under that "dark" finish doesn't really matter to me. stainless is a tad heavier than carbon. i own an M&P no issue that it is coated stainless and a plastic frame. I also own an XD, which is off getting fitted for a new suit. the XD finish just doesn't keep the factory finish long, at least in my experience. the 1911 doesn't need squat and most likely never will. the recently aquired 6904 will most likely need something. it is my stolen recovery that needs a little love. haven't decided which way to go on that one.

get the gun you want. then, care for it as is required. when the time arrives, give it a facelift or an overhaul.

and remember, with handguns; 1/2 the fun is the TLC one provides

 

[BrennanKG]

and remember, with handguns; 1/2 the fun is the TLC one provides

Unless you're a 1911 owner, in which case it's closer to 2/3s.
(spoken as a huge fan of the 1911 in all of it wonderful incarnations)



B.

 

[45auto]

More and more manufacturers seem to offer more stainless than blued, at least that's my "impression", particulary in production 1911's.

I've always wondered whether the manufacturer is pushing them, no finishing, easier perhaps, or whether the consumer wants them.

Who's pushing who I wonder. That's a question, not a "statement!

 

[mjolnir]

McGunner, Nikasil is nickel with embedded silicon carbide and not suitable for plating whole guns...maybe just the rails and grooves of semiautos. Plating a whole gun, you'd likely wear out the HOLSTER.

Like any nickel compound, it's attackable by sulfur compounds, of which some people have ample amounts in their sweat.

 

[JERRY]

its Valholl, with two little dots over the O.