Short version:

I want to finish my 649 with a black finish, but I don't know the best or most economical way to go about it.


Long version:
My 649 is a working gun, often carried with a dark uniform, but the darn bright stainless grip sticks out like a sore thumb. I like the gun and I don't really want to switch to another model (unless refinishing is crazy expensive), so I am trying to come up with ideas of who could refinish the gun to be black. Since its a carry gun, I don't want super nice or super expensive, just something a little nicer than krylon, and more durable than the crummy cerakote on my factory glock slide would be the goal.

Hi -

Well, funny you should ask.

About 10 years ago, I had my Model 60 (.357 mag.) 2 1/8' bbl PVD'd in black. After all these years I do have my regrets because as I've gotten older I now appreciate stainless steel guns whereas when I was younger I would own nothing but blue.

Here's the positives: the gun looks great and the PVD coating hasn't worn in all that time.

The negative (note: not plural): Lead deposits build up on the outside of the near the tip of the cylinders. You can't soak or scrub them off because it will also take off the PVD. Can't use Simichrome or Blue Magic Polishes because those will also remove the PVD.

I honestly can't remember who did the PVD job.





Hope this was of interest -

Rich

You might want to check out black oxide. I believe it blackens stainless steel in a manner similar to bluing, though I'm no expert on that. Black oxide and parkerizing are probably going to be the most economical options.

DLC coatings, like IonBond, may be another option. There's also polymer finishes, like Black-T or Roguard that may work.

Personally, I'd probably look at what refinishers like Robar and CCR have to offer and see if any of those meets your needs/budget. I haven't used their services but they generate positive reviews. I've often thought about having my 642 finished in black Cerahide at CCR.

Try industrial teflon if you can find a shop that will do it for you. It is usually used on gears, but is extremely durable, and ugly. I had a few guns done with it in the early 80's. Nothing seems to faze it, and it cleans easily, it is not really black though, more of a dark grey.

Black Ice Coatings in Utah does teflon finishes on firearms. Take a look at their website.

Interesting thread as I've wondered about this myself...great info.

To each their own, a dark finish looks good, but as time goes on, I prefer the more practical stainless.

Amen, Brother.

I don't believe you would loose the practicality of the stainless with most of these options. All the better qualities of stainless would still be there only it would be in a blued/blackened color.

Sparked my interest and I looked at Robar last night. Would be interested in getting a 640 done but not sure I want to invest the money at this time.

I've used this before and it does work. Never tried a complete gun. Spot test to see how black it gets.

Stainless Steel Blackener - 8 fl oz - Stainless Steel Blackener - Metal Antiquing - Caswell Inc

Try QPQ or Melonite, I have it in my 1911 (stainless and Carbon Steel), in my Mini-14 and in 3 of my S&W revolvers. It is the same thing used by Glock to finish their slides. It is quite durable....forever I would say.

Attached Images

	P1030779.jpg (31.8 KB, 34 views)
	Custom 586-1.jpg (268.3 KB, 64 views)

__________________
"lets be careful out there"

Don the black Kimbers generally start as SS?

For a really cool look, see Tyler gunworks...they'll case color harden a stainless frame. Price isn't that bad and boy does itlook awesome!

I bought a long barreled 657 to use for deer hunting. I had it Black Teed by Birdsong in Mississippi and am very satisfied with the results. They also use a flat green or combination of the two.

Why not just cerakote the thing? Holds up well over time and lots of people local to most folks will do it. Not overly expensive and easy to have redone 10 years down the road? I have a cerakoted sig 1911 that sees heavy carry and range use 95% of it is still there and it still looks aite overall after 7 years. Just looks used

Getting a finish to stick to the stainless can be a problem from what I have heard.