What pistol is the most durable
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AZ Jeff
Member
Well, you did not specify whether it's centerfire or rimfire, but I would give a good rimfire an edge here.
Specifically, I would rate a Ruger Mark I or Mark II, in any of their variants, as pretty close to having an infinite life, especially in stainless steel.
Specifically, I would rate a Ruger Mark I or Mark II, in any of their variants, as pretty close to having an infinite life, especially in stainless steel.
Jason Demond
Member
How about a Glock 17. Chuck Taylor claims to have shot 186,000 rounds through a stock G17 without any replacement parts. Refer to Glock's 2004 Glock annual.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I'd suggest a Glock, or better yet a Springfield XD.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
I should add that my duty weapon is a Beretta 96G with the inox/stainless (not really sure) finish. It shoots fine but I do not like the upkeep. I was just wondering about other finishes and materials which require less involvement.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
AZ Jeff
Member
I misunderstood your question when I responded with the rimfire comment. If you are looking for a durable finish, I think it's sort of a tossup between the Glock "tennifer", and stainless steel offered on other brands.
Here are the pros and cons--
Tennifer (and similar from S&W, Walther, etc.) pros: VERY rust resistant, very scratch resistant
Tennifer cons: finish is actually almost the natural color of steel (off-gray color) and requires an outer coating of oxide to be dark in appearance. This outer coating CAN be worn off through normal handling, holstering, etc.
Stainless steel pros: fairly rust resistant, but NOT as good as tennifer
SS cons: tends to show scratches easily, so duty "wear and tear" is more likey to be pronounced on any polished stainless.
In my opinion, the BEST overall durability comes from the tennifer, but even that is not perfect, and the oxide WILL wear away eventually. At least if the oxide wears off, what's underneath is pretty indestructable.
Here are the pros and cons--
Tennifer (and similar from S&W, Walther, etc.) pros: VERY rust resistant, very scratch resistant
Tennifer cons: finish is actually almost the natural color of steel (off-gray color) and requires an outer coating of oxide to be dark in appearance. This outer coating CAN be worn off through normal handling, holstering, etc.
Stainless steel pros: fairly rust resistant, but NOT as good as tennifer
SS cons: tends to show scratches easily, so duty "wear and tear" is more likey to be pronounced on any polished stainless.
In my opinion, the BEST overall durability comes from the tennifer, but even that is not perfect, and the oxide WILL wear away eventually. At least if the oxide wears off, what's underneath is pretty indestructable.
cratz2
Member
Are you having rust issues with your Beretta? Or are you looking just for the most durable/lowest maintainence gun you can find?
Overall, hard chrome is likely your best bet. If the gun is something you handle daily (which I assume your duty weapon would be) and you clean it maybe once month, I'd think hard chrome would be pretty high on the list of finishes to consider and the good news is that you can have pretty much any gun hard chromed... Assuming you have a temporary replacement duty weapon.
Acccurate Weaponry and Plating is a good place to have your gun hard chromed.
As others have mentioned, the Glock Tenifer finish is pretty durable as well.
Overall, hard chrome is likely your best bet. If the gun is something you handle daily (which I assume your duty weapon would be) and you clean it maybe once month, I'd think hard chrome would be pretty high on the list of finishes to consider and the good news is that you can have pretty much any gun hard chromed... Assuming you have a temporary replacement duty weapon.
Acccurate Weaponry and Plating is a good place to have your gun hard chromed.
As others have mentioned, the Glock Tenifer finish is pretty durable as well.
armoredman
Member
CZ PO1 - alloy frame, polycoat finish, durable as all get out. http://www.cz-usa.com/press.releases.php?msgid=37
cratz2
Member
I love my PCR and look forward to owning a P-01 in 40 or 45GAP, and I have zero complaints about current PCR and very few complaints about any of the CZs I've owned, I don't think I would recommend any of them for someone super anal about keeping their guns looking showroom new with minimal work. The barrel and slide rails on all my polycoat CZs have shown wear in pretty short order.
Now, a PCR or P-01 in hard chrome might be just the ticket.
Now, a PCR or P-01 in hard chrome might be just the ticket.
Longbow
Member
Glock 17!
For corrosion resistance and finish toughness, I don't think you can beat the Glocks. I think the P99/SW99 uses a similar finish which should put them in the same category although I would probably give the Glock an edge in raw durability from a mechanical standpoint.
The Ruger stainless/polymer autopistols are pretty corrosion proof and very durable. They really just get better the more you shoot them in my experience.
I have gotten a Ruger stainless revolver to rust but it wasn't serious and was easily dealt with. The Glock finish is more rust resistant than any stainless steel that I'm aware of--and definitely tougher.
As pointed out, the Glocks have a dark finish that goes over the base finish. The dark "overfinish" is either parkerizing in the older guns or a teflon based finish in the newer guns. That finish can and will wear off with heavy use, but the base finish is virtually indestructible and essentially corrosion proof.
The Ruger stainless/polymer autopistols are pretty corrosion proof and very durable. They really just get better the more you shoot them in my experience.
I have gotten a Ruger stainless revolver to rust
but it wasn't serious and was easily dealt with. The Glock finish is more rust resistant than any stainless steel that I'm aware of--and definitely tougher.As pointed out, the Glocks have a dark finish that goes over the base finish. The dark "overfinish" is either parkerizing in the older guns or a teflon based finish in the newer guns. That finish can and will wear off with heavy use, but the base finish is virtually indestructible and essentially corrosion proof.
ezypikns
Member
Get a Ruger 'P' series.....
any calber....you can't destroy one. Extremely accurate. You won't have to baby or break in one of these.
any calber....you can't destroy one. Extremely accurate. You won't have to baby or break in one of these.
A real large part of my job involves travel.
I don't like changing oil and checking the tires on a regular basis all that much.
Some things you do simply cause your ass and the asses of your loved ones depend on it.
Maybe you should consider another line of work.
He's not looking for the most durable (long lasting) pistol, he's looking for the pistol best suited for a lazy man. There's not a working Glock over twenty years old so it's durability is still in question, but it is definitely the answer for a lazy man!
Black Snowman
Member
The rumor mill at CZForum.com says the standard CZ 75B is already available in stainless in Europe and it's just a matter of time until it makes it over here.
Black Snowman
Member
Double Tap.
Black Snowman
Member
I, and many others, prefer Gun-Kote to Duracoat. It's more durable, less apt to flake. I coated my Glock with it when the old finsh started showing it's age.
RON in PA
Member
Glocks and Ruger SS autos.
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