Looking for the ultimate pistol finish...

[ddcronk]

I have a 1911 that I bought stock GI, and I've slowly built it into das ubergun. I figure that one of the last steps I should take is having it hard chromed (or some other excellent finish). I already know about Cobra chrome from Tripp, and the NP3 finish from Robar. I've also heard of a Black-T finish from W.E. Birdsong, but haven't been able to find much info on it. I'm just looking for something completely functional and sexy as well, that hopefully won't break the bank, so feel free to post recommendations, pictures of your baby, and pertinent links. Thanks!

Dan

 

[browningguy]

I'm not too hung up an all the "name brand" finishes. As far as I can tell hard chrome is hard chrome, all sprayed on teflon or polymer seems to be essentially the same also. No experience with NP3 so I have no idea what it is. When people start talking about secret ingredients that makes their product better than anyone elses, well, it makes me wonder.

Hard chrome looks really good, until you put a few rubs in it, then it doesn't look so hot, but it's still my favorite. I've got a couple of Brownings with their spray on finish that is holding up really well, also a custom rifle with a well known spray and bake finish that still looks good. As near as I can tell it's all down to the prep work, that's why Tripp is so well respected, they do a great job in the prep and application.

I do particularly like the look on the Witness Match models, hard chrome frame and blued slide. The flats on both are high polished, while the rest is matte finished,it really looks good in person.

 

[Flame Red]

I have had several pistols finished in hard chrome by Bob Cogan at Accurate Plating & Weaponary. He does wonderful work. The only down side is that once it gets scratched, that it all she wrote. That is why I always perfer stainless steel pistols.

On the positive side, it makes it easy to clean and seems to make them all work smoother. No ware problems with any of them - yet.

I have them done in bright chrome, brushed chromed and matte chrome. Bright chrome is for BBQ guns. Brushed finish is a good comprimise as it looks good but does not show scratches much. Matte is great for work guns.

 

[fineredmist]

Have it PARKERIZED and then it will look like it was meant to look - good old fashioned GI.

 

[5x5]

Ceracoat!

 

[pete f]

Lots of options, Killer blue, go to turnbull restorations.


other options hard chrome, satin e-less nickel, I find that all the other "coatings" like all paintjobs, are less than durable, they last for a while but they are not as durable as they say.


I had a gun "black hard chromed" by a guy who did lots of chopper and hot rod parts. that gun still looks great after 8-9 years, but I can not find anyone doing black hard chroming anymore. One guy at a plater shop I called said it was banned by EPA, have no idea, but that was the best finish in my mind for a carry gun, dead black and a hard plated surface.

 

[ddcronk]

What's Ceracoat? Never heard of it.

 

[JCB1911]

NP3

I worked up a pre 70s commander about 4 years ago and sent it off to Robar for the NP3. It was originally a blued gun but it came back with a brushed satin type of finish on it. which the looks didnt bother me although i like blued guns,but for a carry piece it is the best finish as far as from a working/Carry aspect that is out there bar NONE. ive had over 10,000 rounds through this gun and NO wear or wear through that you see from other platings and coatings. also, cleaning is a breeze it pretty much just Wipes down clean.i HIGHLY reccomend this finish.

 

[warmrain]

Checkout the Robar finishes.

The NP3 and Roguard are wonderful. I have pistols finished in each (some in both i.e two-tone).

www.robarguns.com

The black Roguard can be done in black or gloss. The NP3 takes on the finish characteristics of the underlying material (e.g. matte or brushed etc.) IIRC.

Here are some examples.

 

[AK103K]

My old Commander stood up to hard, daily use for about ten years after it was hard chromed. The HC held up very well and I had very little rust afterwards. It can and will still rust if you dont maintain it properly. It will also start to show holster wear over time and the worn areas will become polished bright.

 

[aguyindallas]

OD Krylon out of the question?