Which finish is most durable?

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MovedWest

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Having owned many blued weapons, I enjoy the utilitarian aspect of bluing, but I am wondering what finish on a firearm is most durable and protective? I'm considering a Desert Eagle in 44 magnum and wondering what would be the best finish for me.

What are the pro's and cons of possible finishes? I'm not restricting my choices to what MR is currently offering, although it would be convenient to not have it refinished.

For the record... I like shiny. :)

-MW
 
It seems like if you're the kind of guy who is considering a Desert Eagle and likes shiny, the gold tiger-stripe titanium finish is the way to go, durable or not. :)
 
Jorg said:
It seems like if you're the kind of guy who is considering a Desert Eagle and likes shiny, the gold tiger-stripe titanium finish is the way to go, durable or not. :)
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LOL... and a tiger striped gold tooth to match!

Honestly, black nickel would be my first pick if it's even possible. I have several 44 mags (Rugers and Winchester rifles) and appreciate the high finish on my old three screw super blackhawks. The down side is the bluing wears with holster use.

I kinda have a 44 mag infatuation and think a semi-auto would round it out. What better than a DE?

-MW
 
Hard chrome.....durable, rust resistant, and just the right amount of shine.
 
Well, if you want the gun to be discreet but open to rust, you want blue. If you want it to shine like a mirror but not rust, chrome. Brushed stainless is pretty much rust-proof but still shiney. Plastic and the coatings repel rust but are ugly, if that matters. Most guns are blue.
 
Jerface-Tenifer is not a finish, it is a metal treatment. ;)

If it is going to be on a Desert Eagle, get a finish that will stand out on a gunsmiths desk. You wouldn't want him to lose it. :p
 
Tennifer is pretty robust.
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Tenifer is not a finish. It is a surface hardening treatment that is not applicable to all firearms parts and does not alter the external appearance of the metal. Methinks lots of folks think that Tenifer is the black finish on a Glock's slide. It is not.
 
I enjoy the utilitarian aspect of bluing,
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Nothing utilitarian about bluing. As a matter of fact, it's the exact opposite of utilitarian. It rusts very easily compared to other finishes, and isn't all that durable. It just happens to look REALLY good ;).

That said, I prefer bluing on most of my guns, but it's more important on a rifle than a handgun for me.

Most durable finish you'll likely find is hard-chrome. I'm strongly considering sending my M&P's slide off to be refinished in hard-chrome.
 
Tenifer is not a finish. It is a surface hardening treatment that is not applicable to all firearms parts and does not alter the external appearance of the metal. Methinks lots of folks think that Tenifer is the black finish on a Glock's slide. It is not.
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Never seen a Witness with the Wonder Finish?
 
^ Yes, and that is not Tenifer.

From Glock: TENIFER
The name GLOCK has become synonymous for progressive material technologies in the world of arms. The Tenifer surface treatment process for barrel and slide has set standards in this regard. The Tenifer process optimizes the molecular structure of the metal surfaces, achieving a degree of hardness which comes close to that of diamond. In addition to extreme scratch resistance, it results in maximum corrosion resistance

This is not an applied finish, but a process.
 
CraigC, those are beautiful pistols. But they still have more potential to be spotted under more circumstances than blue or coated/plastic. What do you do if those beauties get scratched?
 
Spotted by who and why does it matter???


What do you do if those beauties get scratched?
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I go on about my business. The USFA on the right is new but the custom Ruger on the left was done 12yrs ago. It is one of my most-used/carried sixguns and shows very, very little wear.
 
#19, the OP was refering to the many finishes for firearms. Pros and cons. You don't see too many chromed or stainless military guns, they're blued for ease of upkeep and low profile. Many modern guns are coated to be dull as well. That's why it matters and scratch those singles up, they're yours.
 
You don't see too many chromed or stainless military guns, they're blued for ease of upkeep and low profile.
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And very little stands out in the green forest or the blindingly-tan desert better than an all black rifle. Besides, what exactly does anything the military does have to do with civillian handgun useage???


...and scratch those singles up, they're yours.
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I'm not exactly sure what this means. They're guns, they're made for using. Sure, they're nice to look at but a sixgun that doesn't get used as intended is a waste of money.
 
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^ I agree Craig, on both counts. A black rifle will contrast nearly any color background...thats why most iron sights are black. I don't care for fier optics either...too much focus on the sight and not enough on the target....but thats another thread.

And yes, I'd just as soon buy a hammer to look at than a sixgun to collect dust. They were both meant to be used. If they get beat up, who cares. Use them till their shot, and buy another.
 
Post #8. Bang up your guns if you want. And deserts are not "tan" anymore than forests are "green" Jeez.
 
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