Nitrided revolvers

[Junkie]

I'd like to pick up a mid-size 357 before too long. I'd like to not have to worry about corrosion on it. I'd prefer black to shiny, so that means that what I'd really like is a Nitrided/Melonited/QPQ revolver.

Does such a thing exist? I haven't been able to find evidence of one, but I imagine someone must have made one. From what I've read it's not a particularly expensive process (I've been told it's cheaper than chroming barrels).

I tried searching but couldn't find anything. I hope someone makes one...

[V8MERC124]

So I've been thinking about doing the same too a 1911 that needs the corrosion resistance and to a stainless BFR in 45-70 (this may require a blackening cause I heard stainless won't take the melonite, not sure if it's true as the pic below kinda contradicts that).

Anyways, here's a S&W 500 I found that was supposed to be nitrided. I saved a pic too see what a large revolver would look like blacked out.



And these are supposed to be stainless right?

[V8MERC124]

Actually here's a link to a rogard finish by robar?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/85219-eotech-s-w-500-4-inch.html

And the one in my above post is apparently a black pvd coating, not sure what that is. Here's a link, scroll down to find the pic.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=307675&page=3

[bulletblood]

And these are supposed to be stainless right?

God damn that's F@#$ sexy.

[Junkie]

That's seriously sexy but I don't want a 500. I'd been considering a GP100, I also saw a S&W 66-1 that looked nice. However, neither are available in nitride finishes. From my Shield and ARs, nitrided finishes seem nearly indestructible and can look very nice while costing less than stainless, so it seems like a no brainer for a revolver.

[hermosabeach]

Gun today have a very rough finish compared to 1960

Machine marks can be hidden under a thick coating. So many revolvers are "blued" or coated with a Molly resin as the finish is tough, solvent proof and hides machine marks.


I have not had any rust issues with the current S&W revolvers.

If you want to take one, strip the finish, polish out machine marks and nitride/ melanite finish it, you might be solving a non existant problem.

[Junkie]

I agree with you on the finish. I had a Ruger MkIII and later had the opportunity to pick up a 1962 Ruger Standard (pretty much the same gun). The bluing and machine quality on the Standard blew the MkIII out of the water.

I didn't think that bluing would hide any machining marks, though.

[hermosabeach]

Bluing will not hide machine marks.

Stainless guns and high end blued guns are polished.

Molly resin will self level and is thick enough to hide most machine marks.

That is why most "blued" revolvers are a thick coating. Thick vs. Blueing

[hermosabeach]

Look at the bluing on the barrel

Thick molly resin or other coating

[hermosabeach]

Here is an older blued gun. You can see the metal word through the bluing

[Junkie]

Bluing will not hide machine marks.

Stainless guns and high end blued guns are polished.

Molly resin will self level and is thick enough to hide most machine marks.

That is why most "blued" revolvers are a thick coating. Thick vs. Blueing

There are stainless guns with a matte finish, but I suppose they're probably media blasted after machining is finished. I'd be happy with a gun that was media blasted and then nitrided. I wouldn't mind some visible machine marks much either, although of course I'd prefer not.

[saudadeii]

My GP100 has a "satin" finish. Looks like it was polished then rubbed with a scotch brite to scratch it up a bit. Very easy finish to maintain.

[Junkie]

It seems there are no factory nitrided revolvers, for whatever reason.

That means that I'd like to buy a revolver that meets the specifications I'm looking at and have it nitrided. Hopefully one that doesn't have any pitting, but might have bluing worn off in some places - I'd rather not do it to a pristine gun.

Any suggestions on where to go to have it nitrided?