Stainless steel coatings/paint options

[Armed012002]

It seems as though it's becoming more and more difficult to find a blued revolver (or semiautomatic). Stainless steel seems to be the more popular finish or material.

For example, the Ruger GP100 is still available with a polished blued finish, but only in 4" and 6" barrel lengths. Smith & Wesson discontinued the 586 and 19 which is a real shame. The Ruger SP101 is only available as stainless steel.

I prefer a black finish over a silver/white finish. Blue is the traditional black finish, but I've heard of Melonite and polymer coatings (paint).

So what exists to coat or finish stainless steel to make it look like a polished blued finish?

Pictures would be nice

 

[JAV8000]

Gun-Kote

 

[dfariswheel]

Several companies offer chemical or plated finishes that are blue or black, and can give you a dark stainless gun.
Also available are a number of "coating" type finishes, usually one form or another of polymer coating.
Others are "black chrome" or "black nickel" but be aware that these are not a really durable finish.

http://www.fordsguns.com/

http://www.apwcogan.com/

Possibly the ultimate black finish is Melonite QPQ:
http://www.coalcreekarmory.com/

 

[Armed012002]

Black chrome and Melonite look interesting.

My Smith & Wesson M&P slide is stainless steel with a black Melonite finish. It holds up very well, but it's a matte boring finish.

Can Melonite take on a more glossy appearance?

 

[dfariswheel]

You'd have to ask, but I don't think so.

Also, read the info on the web sites closely. They're pretty clear that the black chrome and black nickel are not especially durable or tough finishes, they're more for appearance. They scratch easily.

 

[Malamute]

I knew a guy years ago that liked the Smith 24's. He couldnt find a blued one, so settled for the stainless version. He REALLY didnt like stainless guns,.....he spray painted it with black Rustoleum. He of course primed it with Rustoleum primer. With the holster wear, it had a sort of zebra looking finsih where the black wore through showing the yellow primer, which in turn wore down to the silver stainless. When I asked about it, he said he repainted it every couple years and was good to go.


I think if all I could find was stainless guns, I'd probably do the same thing.