Nickel or Hard Chrome

[warren5421]

I got a carry 1911 that I am thinking of having hard chromed but after seeing the nickeled Standard I like the Nickel a lot. Gun is carried a lot and shot some. What would you do?

 

[Noble Sniper]

Hard chrome…. And why I say that is nickel is beautiful but prone to damage. Hard chrome is a hard coating. I know some gentlemen who will hard chrome stainless guns…. A super tough finish!!

 

[cavallo]

Hard chrome…. And why I say that is nickel is beautiful but prone to damage. Hard chrome is a hard coating. I know some gentlemen who will hard chrome stainless guns…. A super tough finish!!

I had to do some Googling about the two finishes and their differences. My conclusion is the same as @Noble Sniper. I learned something today.

 

[4sarge]

I got a carry 1911 that I am thinking of having hard chromed but after seeing the nickeled Standard I like the Nickel a lot. Gun is carried a lot and shot some. What would you do?

I Vote Hard Chrome for Looks, Wear & Durability. PD had our new issued Sig P220's Hard Chromed (Kiesler's) 30 years ago and they wore like Iron. The Only Caveat is that the Vendor needs to be Experienced in the entire process. I had my personal P226 done at the same time and I've never regretted it.

 

[Robert Richardson]

Hard Chrome, Nickel will scratch and stain easily.

 

[Dean C.]

Hard Chrome is definitely the answer you seek here , be prepared for the bill.

 

[KokomoDave]

I have sent many a gun down to have hard chromed to a place in Florida. It's been years ago and not sure if Checkmate is still in operation?

 

[DadSmith]

Hard Chrome is definitely the answer you seek here , be prepared for the bill.

What does something like this run nowadays?

 

[Bluedragon]

I would go the route of hard chrome for all the above mentioned reasons. I had a Colt Series 70 Government once in factory polished nickel and the finish began to discolor in places into a green color from exposure to oil. The gun also developed black pits and flaking for basically no reason while cared for with hoppe's silicon cloths, clp, and a bore stores pouch for storage in a safe with a Goldenrod.

so yeah....I don't care much for nickel and would get Hard Chrome. If you want it shiny like nickel you can always have the refinisher polish it all bright after chroming. But it's even more $$$$.

 

[Dean C.]

What does something like this run nowadays?

Honestly the guy I would recommend died, and that seems to be the theme with Hard Chrome. Alchemy used to offer it as a service, but now that Cabot owns them I do not believe they do that kind of work anymore.