Hey everybody, so fixing to order a rock island armory 1911 GI standard FS 45acp from my dealer however I looked at armscor website and I see the same gun comes with two choices for the finish in the gun so I'm not sure if I should order it with the Parker finish or the duracoat finish? I'm looking at the RIA model number 51420 model which has the RIA applied duracoat on it and the RIA model number 51421 model which has the RIA applied parkerizing on it. I don't have any guns with either finish on them currently so I'm unfamiliar with both and which would be the better buy? 51420 duracoat is $30 more than the 51421 parkerized. Gun will primarily just be a range shooting gun however it may see some carry duty but it will not be a primary everyday carry gun. Also will be adding some new grips to the gun either rosewood, rosewood burl, cocobola, or redwood grips if that makes a difference as to which finish will match the grips better.
Rock island armory parkerized or duracoat factory finish?
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GBExpat
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My RIA 1911 is parkerized and the surface holds up well.
"Painted" firearms have never appealed to me so I would naturally avoid a Duracoat pistol. Some folks love Duracoat, though.
"Painted" firearms have never appealed to me so I would naturally avoid a Duracoat pistol. Some folks love Duracoat, though.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
Welcome to The High Road! I'm sure you'll like it here. The best forum around.
I was completely disappointed in the Smith and Wesson coating on my Air weight. It probably is not the same stuff, but reinforced my affinity for a stainless firearm. Like Jimster, I too like a nice oiled parkerized finish. Park may wear on the rails, but won't chip. I think my thirty eight would look nicer with a satin bead blast, than the scratches and holster wear it shows now.
To be clear, I have no experiences with the Rock Island Duracoat. If, like you say, it will be mostly a range piece it should retain it's finish for quite some time.
Let us know what you decide on getting.
I was completely disappointed in the Smith and Wesson coating on my Air weight. It probably is not the same stuff, but reinforced my affinity for a stainless firearm. Like Jimster, I too like a nice oiled parkerized finish. Park may wear on the rails, but won't chip. I think my thirty eight would look nicer with a satin bead blast, than the scratches and holster wear it shows now.
To be clear, I have no experiences with the Rock Island Duracoat. If, like you say, it will be mostly a range piece it should retain it's finish for quite some time.
Let us know what you decide on getting.
My plan would be limited carry with it as I already have 3 primary carry guns depending on the weather and my attire for the day. I went ahead an emailed armscor just to see if they have a recommendation as well. I've seen the Parker version in stores but I've never even laid eyes on the duracoat version before. I've seen some duracoat guns before in person but of course they were mostly diy and I'm sure or would be hopeful that a manufacturer would apply it better than the few examples I have seen.
Panzerschwein
member
Parker.
nettlle
Contributing Member
I am not sure what Duracoat is but if it is a shake n bake finish from experience I can tell you these finishes do not hold up as well over time as blued or parkerized finishes.
RPRNY
Member
I have the Lipsey's special FDE Cerakote finish on my RIA Compact and like it. I do not like the RIA "Parkerized" finish. It does not vaguely resemble the feldgrau parkerized finish on my father's 1943 issue 1911. It looks like Rustoleum rattle-can finish to me. In fact, I held off buying an RIA until I found the Cerakote finish Lipsey's. Having said that, great pistol: accurate, digests the most ghastly handloads and virtually any bullet shape with appetite, and is well made for the price. So, if you don't mind the "Parkerized" finish, get it and enjoy!
bannockburn
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I agree with GBExpat: parkerized finishes have held up very well for me over the years. Just not a big fan of painted on finishes.
I guess my whole thing is every duracoat finish I've seen is someone doing the diy duracoat themselves in there garage or kitchen. However this is actually a gun manufacturer applying the finish in house themselves before shipping the gun off. My thoughts are it should be better quality however I have no clue. All I'm gathering is either A it's crap because no one has it or B everyone assumes it's crap and isn't taking a chance and buying it. I can't even find pictures of actual RIA manufacturer factory applied duracoat pictures to even see what the finishes look like, all I can find is peoples diy duracoat finishes
cc-hangfire
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I'd recommend parkerized as well. I've had a parkerized RIA 1911 for about 4 years; it's a range gun so it hasn't gotten much wear, but the finish looks good.
I also have some 9mm shooters that were surplus guns - the original finishes were beat to heck & back. I had my gunsmith duracoat them, and there are a couple of chips at wear spots even with range use only.
I also have some 9mm shooters that were surplus guns - the original finishes were beat to heck & back. I had my gunsmith duracoat them, and there are a couple of chips at wear spots even with range use only.
Bwana John
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I like epoxy type paint over park best. It has the best resistance to corrosion and abrasion.
The spongy parkerized finish is a great base to hold the paint.
It also retains the oil for corrosion protection without the paint.
The spongy parkerized finish is a great base to hold the paint.
It also retains the oil for corrosion protection without the paint.
RPRNY
Member
Not necessarily endorsing the conclusions drawn by the "analysis" below but, in my view Cerakote is superior to Duracoat. A Parkerized finish is probably similar in durability to Cerakote inasmuch as it can be worn away, but Parkerizing won't chip while both Cerakote and Duracoat will. I don't like the look of the finish achieved by RIA "Parkerizing" but Parkerized finishes don't chip.
http://abbottarms.com/cerakote-vs-duracoat
http://abbottarms.com/cerakote-vs-duracoat
I know the parkerized finish is more of a dull flat matte color, for anyone who has seen the RIA duracoat what is it like? Glossy, dull, more black......? I know you have to keep parkerized finishes well oiled, does the oiling change the color of the parkerized any?
Bwana John
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Ah yes.... The elusive "green" park that occurs after being freshly parked, dunked in cosmolene while still warm, then wrapped up in oilpaper and stored for 20 years.
But just oiling for daily corrosion protection makes it appear darker or wetter.
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RPRNY
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Bwana John
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I actually had a 1943 Colt that was "sporterized" in the 60s/70s with a S&W rear sight, tall front sight, spring loaded barrel link, stippleing, and the greenest park I have ever seen.
I was told the gun was really hot when dipped into the Cosmo, and only left in oilpaper for 2 weeks.
While zinc park is gray, and manganese park is black, I have heard of contaminates such as copper in the park solution or water turning it red, green or purple.
Klint Beastwood
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i've sandblasted and cerakoted a few of mine.
Well I went to my gun dealer today and they have 3 different distributors that they order all there guns from and none of the 3 distributors had the rock island armory GI standard FS duracoat 51420 listed. I'm 100% dealer loyal so looks like I'll be going with the 51421 parkerized.
AlexanderA
Member
Wise decision.
jrmiddleton425
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Basically, it's automotive paint.
Creaky_Old_Cop
member
The parked finish will serve you well. The nice thing about a parked gun is that if, eventually, you do decide to coat it....the parked finish helps the coating adhere.
stchman
Member
I used to own a RIA GI spec 1911 and quite frankly the finish on the gun sucked. It looked terrible. I owned a Tisas GI 1911 and the finish on it was FAR better and the gun was a much better shooter.
Klint Beastwood
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if it was the gi then it was probably parkarized. I will say this, parkarized finishes really dont take long before they start getting wear marks around the moving parts.
Personally im a huge cerakote fan. ive cerakoted dozens of my own guns and most except my 1911 are holding up well. the 1911 just got beat up on rocks and terrain. not really the cerakotes fault.
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