Would You Duracoat A Carry Gun?

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EdLaver

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I recently bought a Citadel 1911 Compact for carry (been carrying a G29 for years). The gun shoots great, very accurate and reliable after 200 rounds not a single failure. But the one thing that bothers me a bit is the finish. I want to Duracoat it but again, its for carry.

Would you duracoat your carry gun if it had a less than desirable finish? Will the duracoat job wear off faster due to the wear of carrying? Then there are the stories of people having to jump through hoops to get their guns back in a defense situation. If I ever did have to defend myself and the police take my weapon for however long, because I spent the extra money getting it duracoated might hurt more.

Thanks,
-Ed
 
Duracoat if done correctly is very durable. If you have to drill some asshat, the police may enter your firearm into evidence. When they do they zip tie it into a white cardboard box and store it. You will get it back quickly in a castle doctrine state (like Texas) and it will be fine. Don't worry about it.
 
If I ever did have to defend myself and the police take my weapon for however long, because I spent the extra money getting it duracoated might hurt more.
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I hardly think $150 for duracoat is going to amount to a hill of beans compared to the monstrous legal bills and emotional distress of an actual shooting.
 
Back when I was carrying 1911s, I had my carry 1911 professionally ceramakoted. I got caught in a bad storm for a few hours while carrying that 1911 (pre ceramakote). When I finally made it to a safe and dry place (I was soaken wet), I checked my 1911 and it had several rusted areas on it. That was when I made the decision to get it coated. I don't know about duracoat, but ceramakote is a pretty tough finish if applied correctly. It did start showing wear around the nose of the slide within 3 months of having it coated, but I do a lot of presentation drills from the holster.

As far as being involved in a shooting with a coated pistol, concerns of having it placed into evidence would be the last thing on my mind if I survived the shooting.
The coating is an investment in the pistol to protect it from the elements and make it look better overall. Yes, the gun will be placed into evidence if you are involved in an incident,and you may not see it for a long time. In some cases, you may not see it ever again. I have heard of some civil cases where the family of the assailant wished to have the firearm destroyed. IME , anything can happen in court.
I wouldn't let the fear of having your weapon placed into evidence sway your decision on the coating. There is such a small chance that you will ever have to use it, and if you did, I would not worry about the loss because you survived a situation where the odds were heavily stacked against you in the first place. You did your part, you pistol did its part, the police will have to do their part. I would be thankful to be alive. Pistols can be replaced, you cannot.

If it still concerns you, maybe you should carry a less expensive pistol.
One of the toughest factory finishes/coatings that I am aware of is tenifer, which comes factory on all Glock pistols. A used Glock in good condition can be had for around $350-$400. I can only attest to the glock's finish because I carry one every day, on and off duty.
Both the XD and the M&P had issues with their finish in the beginning, but I think they have been ironed out now, and both are also very good choices that won't cost a great deal of money.
 
Thanks Sapper, I have been carrying a Glock 29 10mm for the last 4 years. I just wanted to switch my carry weapon for a change. My wife picked up a Taurus PT709 Slim and heck, I kinda like that little feller too. :)

I have decided to get the duracoat job. Colors will be Semi-Gloss HK for the slide and parts with a BlackHawk OD Green frame.

-Ed
 
I've got two pieces in my current carry rota with this finish: a Walther P5 and a Walther PPK/S. That's but one of the reasons why both of them are in my current carry rota.
 
Only firearm I ever wanted to Duracoat is my vz-58, in Rhodesian camo. The finish on my CZ pistols seems to beholding up well for all day every day carry.
 
The Citadel I have experience with showed some pretty good finish wear just from cleaning and range time. I would expect if you carried it everday and practiced holster draws the finish would wear quickly. I personally think thats a good look for a 1911 but if rust was a concern (as it usually is for carry guns) I would finish it with something tougher.
 
Go you your local autoparts store, you can get a detail gun, or even a cheap airbrush for less than 15, then buy the paint and go to town,or just spring for brownells bake on finish, lots of options, I'm thinking of rust bluing, but I have some time to kill.
 
I hardly think $150 for duracoat is going to amount to a hill of beans compared to the monstrous legal bills and emotional distress of an actual shooting.
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When I said it would hurt more, I wasn't referring to the cost of getting the Duracoat job, I was referring to me becoming attached to the gun more than what I am now. It will look completley different and I know it would hurt a bit if I had to hand it over and possibly not get it back.

But as I said earlier today, I am dropping it off Saturday to get the duracoat service and also add a set of Novak cut night sights. I will post pics when I get it back in 4-6 weeks.
 
In some cases, you may not see it ever again. I have heard of some civil cases where the family of the assailant wished to have the firearm destroyed. IME , anything can happen in court.
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The police can not steal your property and they can not damage/destroy evidence. Also, in Liberty loving states with castle doctrine, (like Idaho, Texas, Etc.) there will not be a civil trial.
 
Although I've used DuraCoat on several guns, I recommend the folks at Black-T in Mississippi.

They did the slide, frame, spring cover and safety on my Combat Commander for $96 shipped.

Can't beat that with a stick.
http://www.black-t.com

DSCN0959-1.gif
 
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