Hardchrome, blue or ?

[psango]

I had a Hard Chrome Colt Gold Cup (done by Springfield) that looked beautiful. Electroless nickel is probably more salt resistant than hard chrome. I like the finish, you can do it matte or polish the flats. I have several nickel guns that have held up well in heavy service. CCR offers Cera Plate which is an enhanced nickel, as mention there is NP3 and traditional nickel plating.

[cineski]

I didn't know Springers came in carbon steel. If that's the case, I'd have her blued and polished. There's not much more beauty than comes from a worn blued 1911.

Thanks, but I have to put something on since it is just carbon steel now.

[hkdad]

Hardchrome!!!

[ckprax]

I would go with a high polished blue, clean and classy. Second choice would be hard chrome.

[redhemi]

Blue, flats polished rounded surfaces matte. Thats such a beautiful gun you can go wrong either way.

^This But a really deep dark blue. Even though right now that is one beautiful 1911.

[JTROKS]

It is hard to beat hard chrome, but Melonite or other similar process is an excellent alternative if you want a dark color finish.

[ERdept]

Most competitive shooters do Hard Chrome.

It's the most durable.


I use Techplate in Anaheim CA

[RippSpeed]

Blue'd and hard chrome is both beautifull ... Hard Chrome last longer though ... I preffer Hard Chrome but its like a black car; you can see all the dirt on it and you have to clean it after every range day...

[JaeOne3345]

Hard chrome all day. Polished flats and matte rounds/curves.

[Kanoodler]

I am nutz over NP3! The slide movement is silky smooth, it's easy to wipe clean, and it is NOT slippery in the hand. And the finish itself has a soft "glow." It is hot hot hot!!

[JTROKS]

My old range/competition guns were used almost every weekend back in my shooting days. Durability of the finish is a necessity when weighing all factors. Blue is beautiful, but won't last long on a gun that will be drawn from the holster a lot.

[RippSpeed]

My old range/competition guns were used almost every weekend back in my shooting days. Durability of the finish is a necessity when weighing all factors. Blue is beautiful, but won't last long on a gun that will be drawn from the holster a lot.

very true... Plus some factory blue'ing even HK stuff starts to spot or wear off when using certain cleaners like Powder Blast...

Its better off Hard Chrome if you use the pistol alot...

[modls7]

hard chrome!

[1911Luvr]

I should have posted this from the beginning since several people have pm'd me. My gunsmith is Will O'Hara in Corona, CA 951-371-4971. He is an incredible 1911 specialist and has done work on several for me. He takes the time to explain the work he does and doesn't mind people hanging out and watching him work. I have learned more about custom 1911s from the hours spent in his shop, than from everything I've read combined.

He is also very reasonably priced which is key for me. I could never afford to pay for a full house custom gun of this level if not for the fact that he let me pay him a few bucks here and there over the course of the build. Before you know it you've paid down the bill to a small amount and have something truly amazing to show for it.

I have tons of respect for Chen, Yost, Burton, Rogers, Christensen, Liebeberg and other master pistol smiths, and I would put Will right there with them.