Nickel-Plating a Magazine?
- Thread starter GConn
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dfariswheel
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- Dec 26, 2002
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There are some guns that came with nickel plated magazines, and of course, guns that are nickel usually have nickel magazines to match.
The advantages:
Less chance of rust.
The "slippery" finish "may" cause the magazine to work smoother.
Disadvantages.
Bright nickel chips, cracks, peels, and scratches easily. Once compromised, the steel under the plating may rust. The first sign of this is when the finish bubbles up and flakes off exposing rust.
Magazines tend to scratch or scrape when inserted into the gun, and nickel will do so easier and worse.
The plating adds thickness to the parts. This could cause a tight magazine to NOT work smoother, or be harder to insert into the gun.
If left in a magazine pouch for a long period, the nickel may develop verdigris. This is the thick, waxy green stuff you see around brass or nickel hardware on holsters and other leather goods.
The advantages:
Less chance of rust.
The "slippery" finish "may" cause the magazine to work smoother.
Disadvantages.
Bright nickel chips, cracks, peels, and scratches easily. Once compromised, the steel under the plating may rust. The first sign of this is when the finish bubbles up and flakes off exposing rust.
Magazines tend to scratch or scrape when inserted into the gun, and nickel will do so easier and worse.
The plating adds thickness to the parts. This could cause a tight magazine to NOT work smoother, or be harder to insert into the gun.
If left in a magazine pouch for a long period, the nickel may develop verdigris. This is the thick, waxy green stuff you see around brass or nickel hardware on holsters and other leather goods.
1SOW
Member
I personally nickel plated a set of brass "darts" (as in 301). They did as dfariswheel said.
They also eventually wore the thin coating off where my fingers made contact.
On the other hand, I like Speer spent 9mm nickle cases I pick up at the range. They are rarely scratched and seem to last a looooong time.
They also eventually wore the thin coating off where my fingers made contact.
On the other hand, I like Speer spent 9mm nickle cases I pick up at the range. They are rarely scratched and seem to last a looooong time.
Jesse Heywood
Member
Unless you have something unusual, it's usually less costly to buy the nickle plated magazine new. As stated, it takes a lot of work to get the plating right.
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