Making a stainless revolver black?

[bearitone]

Is there any chemical/bluing compound to easily turn a stainless revolver black?
For years I?ve wanted one of the Kimber K6S ?TLE? models like below but, I haven?t found even one of the 3? models for sale used in CA (it?s off roster).

So I want to take a stainless 3? model and try to turn it black.

[one*eyed*jack]

Seems like Cerakote might be a good option.

[norcalsig]

I have used Insta-Blak SS-370 GEL Blackener for small parts and black stainless touchups, it works great but I don't know if it would be appropriate for an entire gun because I'm not sure if it blackens totally even over large areas, never tried. The 250ml sample should be enough for a whole revolver. If it doesn't work like you like, it's not much money and another coating could be done over it.

https://www.epi.com/insta-blak-ss-370-gel.html

[norcalsig]

I have used Insta-Blak SS-370 GEL Blackener for small parts and black stainless touchups, it works great but I don't know if it would be appropriate for an entire gun because I'm not sure if it blackens totally even over large areas, never tried. The 250ml sample should be enough for a whole revolver. If it doesn't work like you like, it's not much money and another coating could be done over it.

https://www.epi.com/insta-blak-ss-370-gel.html

[Ol'Chap]

Hey OP, I've had the same thought a long time ago and could not justify my time and effort for something cosmetic. Wish you the best and please keep us posted ~ cheers!

[Tim padilla]

Birdsong Black -T is a excellent finish .Massad Ayoob did a article years ago when he refinished several Smith and Wesson revolvers that needed some love. Benchmade used it for there folders a time ago as well I owned a Emerson designed tanto which had the coating on it and it was very tough.

[FCOD]

DLC if you want something more than a spray-on finish.

[ar15barrels]

Is there any chemical/bluing compound to easily turn a stainless revolver black?
For years I?ve wanted one of the Kimber K6S ?TLE? models like below but, I haven?t found even one of the 3? models for sale used in CA (it?s off roster).

So I want to take a stainless 3? model and try to turn it black.

Black oxide will blacken stainless steel.
It's a dip process that you have a finishing company do.
It's a variation of bluing.

You strip the gun down to it's individual pieces, fully degrease it and then have it black oxide processed.
The sheen of the resulting finish depends on the sheen you start with.
If you want it shiny black, you polish the steel before finishing.
If you want it matte black, you sandblast the steel before finishing.
Glass-bead blasting will get you somewhere in between sandblasting and polishing.

[M76]

I’d look for a blued pre-lock smith or Ruger security six/service six

[SDDAVE56]

The barrel and bushing on my Mil Spec are stainless. I sent them to Robar for their black oxide coating. They told me it would wear like a blued finish.

[NaClAddict]

Passed on a midnight 686 here years ago. Still regretting that one.

[offrdmania]

Hot salt Oxynate 84 bluing is specifically deigned to blue stainless

[TTT]

Evolution Armory Ionbond is pricey but looks good. I had a S&W 4506 slide done in it about a year back- still looks good after lots of shooting and handling.

https://www.evolutionarmory.com/ionbond

[Big Chudungus]

I have used Insta-Blak SS-370 GEL Blackener for small parts and black stainless touchups, it works great but I don't know if it would be appropriate for an entire gun because I'm not sure if it blackens totally even over large areas, never tried. The 250ml sample should be enough for a whole revolver. If it doesn't work like you like, it's not much money and another coating could be done over it.

https://www.epi.com/insta-blak-ss-370-gel.html

"Drag out 5?30 pounds of Ultra-Blak 400 per week per 100-gallon tank."

what is "drag out" mean? I did take Beginning Chem in college but never heard that term. Also seems like very wide range of weight of stuff to "drag out". How would one know if they should "drag" 5 or 30?

I feel I'm in uncharted waters and why a 100-gal tank??? I'm thinking a tank for hand held guns would be roughly the shape of a rifle/shotgun case, not an epic aquarium.

I agree that blacked is a better finish for revolvers. Just looks cooler and is more tactical. IMO S&W in particular should offer some of its SS revolvers in old skool blacked.

[splithoof]

Passed on a midnight 686 here years ago. Still regretting that one.

I was fortunate enough to get them both in 4-inch and 6-inch. They were an early variant that I have not seen offered since. You might find one on Gunbroker. A 3-inch would be perfect, but I have never seen one, and do not know if it was offered.