Blued vs Stainless?

[Solus]

I'd go Stainless and not even consider "coatings".

Whatever works for you. 

I've had some experience with Armoloy only on a Ruger Blackhawk .357 and the gun is impervious to rust or any scratches that cause damage to the finish.  No cracking, pealing or wear ever.

The finish is used on high performance automobile racing engine parts with success giving the same benefits.

[Headknocker]

I've always loved the looks of Stainless or Hardchromed Handguns & Rifles..
My two remaining J Frame Smith & Wessons are a 642 & a 940 which see the most use for carry of any other gun in my ever shrinking arsenal, Thanks Obama..
The Stainless Steel is corrosion RESISTANT & a bit harder than carbon steel & also has that look, TO ME That says OH YEAH!!
I recently aquired a paper weight Ruger P-89 9mm for $45 that has become my newest project, Called "Project P-89" at most of the Ruger forums I frequent..
I decided to give the frame a Re-Coat as the anodizing had worn 90% clean off from it's days as a Police Training weapon since 1993 & 50,000+?? Rounds of +P 9mm para..
I've had a few SIGs & HKs refinished in HardChrome & they came out great but the cost of the refinish can go in upwards of $150-$200..
Anyhow I got several people who suggested using a coating called VHT which is a Gas & Oil resistant coating applied to Automotive Headers that is a Silica Ceramic Coating, very similar to Cera-Coat that you always hear about..
I bought a can of the VHT in Matte Aluminum that I sprayed the frame of the Ruger P-89 with & after baking it several times up to 550 degrees the finish seems to be as hard as any spray on finish out there, IMO better than what S&W sprays on their aluminum frames & much more durable than Dura-Coat.. I also added a Parts Kit from Gunbroker & traded the grips for the Hogues & bought a P-95 trigger to modify as a short trigger for the Ruger..
I've always preferd stainless handguns to carbon even though I've "HAD" several of the killer blued specimens too..
My 10/22 is blued but my MKII is stainless, just happened that away being Bass Pro had the 10/22s on sale for $139..

This is one of my first posts on this forum & just wanted to say hey & post a few pics of what Obama has let me keep..
I bet if they knew there was $45 Ruger P-89s being sold in Illinois He'd shut that down..HaHa!! What a Deal..

Smith & Wesson 642 & 940, 642 is Converted to 9mm with 940-1 Cylinder

Thanks to Craig Spegel for the Beautifull Smith Grips!!

Ruger MKII Target KMK678

NOTE: 6000+ Rounds of Federal Wally World Value Pack Ammo!!

$45 "Project P-89" Before Refinish

"Project P-89" After VHT Coating, Also NOTE: Modified P-95 Trigger

[fightingquaker13]

Looks pretty good for a $45 gun.
Welcome aboard
FQ13

[PegLeg45]

With today's alloys, it's a toss-up as to which is the better metal and all boils down to personal preference regarding appearance. I like the look of blued steel better, especially on revolvers.

Many years ago SS got a reputation for being 'soft' because they hadn't perfected the alloy and many early SS pistols experienced galling. That in turn led many people to shy away from SS guns. Now, the SS guns are as good or better than the carbon steel counterparts.

[tombogan03884]

I don't like Armaloy, haven't since I first worked at T/C.
Stainless and blued barrels are interchangable, You can put blue barrels on stainless Contender's and vice versa.
Can't do that with Armaloy, Armaloy barrels only fit Armaloy.
Having a modern fire arm plated with anything ( Reblueing excepted ) is a waste of money. the only reason that actually holds up to examination is coloring, like the TiN (Titanium nitride ) that supplies most of the "Gold" triggers, hammers etc.
TiN is a fantastic finish for cutting tools, I use it every day, but the only thing it does for a gun is supply a more durable replacement for gold plate.

That Ruger looks great. for $45 I have to ask, does it actually work ?

[Sponsor]

[Headknocker]

Range Report DUE in a few weeks on the "Project P-89"
There's Gunshows for the next couple of weeks
BIG 2100 Table National Gunday/Ron Dickson Gunshow in Louisville this weekend
My Range Buddy also needs to test this PPS-43 He bought @ The Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot last weekend
So this will give me the chance to shoot the P-89 & a few 22s

[tombogan03884]

Range Report DUE in a few weeks on the "Project P-89"

COOL !

[Badgersmilk]

Headknocker, What'd you do with that front sight band on the Mark II?  Looks copper...  Just a reflection?

[m25operator]

It is true, the earlier SS guns, had trouble with being machined as fine as chrome moly, and galling, the new alloys are much better, the same with knives, the early Rost Free German knives were hard to sharpen and did not hold an edge, no longer, I still give the edge, ( very slight ) to carbon steel, chrome moly barrels for longevity and accuracy, but you need to be real good to see the difference, and shoot a lot. SS is still much better in resisting the weather = moisture, than any carbon product.


I do my touch up on SS guns with white scotch brite, steel wool, and felt wheel with green chromate polish, depending on standard, high polish, and then again, glass bead blasting for that nice matte finish.

[LittleRed]

I certainly prefer cleaning SS revolvers.

For carry, I prefer (against conventional wisdom suggesting SS) black—technically not true "blued". I give my firearms enough TLC that corrosion shouldn't be any issue regardless of finish.

I have to admit though, I really like the blue on my nearly 100-year-old Colt .38 Special. I haven't seen bluing that nice on any out of the box modern pistol.