Hard Chrome... Anyone still do this? **Photos added of the 19 in question **

dfariswheel · #51 02-14-2021, 06:52 PM

Some suppliers of hard chrome use various brand names, but it's all hard chrome.

Some I've seen are SS Metalife, Armoloy, Metaloy, and others.

Advantages of hard chrome.....

It's actually harder then a Swiss file, around 78 Rockwell. Where most finishes will scratch, it only gets a bright mark. Magazines for example get a burnished line where the mag catch rubs.

It's more rust resistance then the typical hard chrome flash plating of many guns hammers and triggers.

Typical layer is around 0.0002", so it can be applied to most any gun including most tight fitted Match guns.

It's one of the most rust and corrosion resistant finishes. As example it's resistant to most available acids. No bore solvent will attack it.

Guns are much easier to clean. Fouling won't adhere to the metal like to unplated surfaces and the fouling is easier to see.

It's so "slick" the gun can run with less lubricant, and the hardness improves trigger pull.
The hardness greatly improves the lifetime of parts.

Since it's bonded into the metal there's no way for moisture to infiltrate to the steel.

It can't crack, chip, or peel.

The original satin pearl-gray finish reflects less light then a blued gun.

It's one of the only gun finishes that's a real life time finish.

GerSan69 · #52 02-15-2021, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WR Moore

SFAIK, there's still a process trade marked Armoloy. They had/have shops all over the US, not all do firearms. I used to be a couple miles from a place that did do firearms and had a bunch of stuff done. I also saw some of the stuff they did for industry, like plating nuclear control rods.

The comments that follow are specifically from Armoloy, but I expect the basics apply to all the various varieties of the industrial hard chrome process. The various brand names may only differ in very, very slight changes in the metallurgical mix of the plating.

The plating achieves a molecular bond with the base metal, there is no underlayer. As a result, it will not chip, crack or peel. Thickness is typically about 0.0001 inch, very little chance of causing tolerance interference, hardness in the 70+ Rockwell C range. It's extremely rust resistant but nothing ferric is entirely rust proof.

Armoloy is the one I used back in the late 70s-early 80s. It really is an amazingly durable surface. As such, if you need a "trigger job" or otherwise need to have some moving parts adjusted, you ought to do that before sending - the finish will not wear-in.

Erocksmash · #53 02-21-2021, 04:12 PM

Well here she is, a 19-5 snubby not in as bad of shape as I was led to believe, it has some kinda weird stain on the side plate, but other than that it's not a bad get for 300 dollhairs...

Still up in the air about sending it for some hard chrome, I may just leave it alone. Really thought it was gonna be a beat around gun now it may be to fancy and have to trade it off for something else lol, story of my life right

She's wearing her orgional (no number) magnas and some SQ butt Tyler Ts until I can get some houge bantoms or a RB Tyler T in....

stansdds · #54 02-22-2021, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erocksmash

Well here she is, a 19-5 snubby not in as bad of shape as I was led to believe, it has some kinda weird stain on the side plate, but other than that it's not a bad get for 300 dollhairs...

Still up in the air about sending it for some hard chrome, I may just leave it alone. Really thought it was gonna be a beat around gun now it may be to fancy and have to trade it off for something else lol, story of my life right

She's wearing her orgional (no number) magnas and some SQ butt Tyler Ts until I can get some houge bantoms or a RB Tyler T in....

That Model 19 is in good condition. I would not have it plated, but I would clean it thoroughly and treat it to some Renaissance Wax. You might be pleasantly surprised at how well it will turn out.

steelslaver · #55 02-22-2021, 08:27 AM

If I had an older gun that was finish challenged and had no collectable value and was going to use it a bunch and was going to pay for a refinish about the only way I would go is a hard chrome. It will last for ever compared to blue or nickel.

Cooperd0g · #56 02-22-2021, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigp220.45

I had my Model 36 done in NP3 in the early 90s. I was carrying it in an ankle holster when I got dragged by a car for a few blocks until I sorted the driver out with my belt-carried Sig. I didn’t know I’d lost it til later. One of the other units parked on top of it, then peeled out and launched it into a lady’s yard. I finally got it back and it was a sorry sight indeed. The grips were toast and it had some big gouges in the metal, but the NP3 held and that thing never did rust. Good stuff.

That is a pretty incredible story.

H Richard · #57 02-22-2021, 08:46 PM

This is a Mod 19-4 that I had done some years ago. Tuff, and smooths the action almost self lubricating.

This is a 1911 I built us myself, and the frame was done back in the mid 80's. Both guns were done by Metaloy in Berryville Arkansas. I believe they are still in business.

Wears like iron.

ALong1911 · #58 08-17-2021, 08:19 AM

I know this has been dead for 6 months, but I wanted to share some updates.
I was looking for a new chrome place because:
The people who did the good work at APW left. I found this out after I sent 2 pistols in last year that came back less than satisfactory.
Metaloly (or however it was spelled) closed.
As noted, Robar closed.
The couple that left APW started Precision Custom Plating and Engraving, but are currently closed. I think they are moving to a different location. There are a couple threads out there on different platforms testifying to their work.

Chrome is an amazing finish. Nearly indestructible, but that also goes for when there is an issue. Best of luck.

terrancemc · #59 08-17-2021, 07:36 PM

I just got a Detective Special back from APW. It looks amazing. they do charge extra to redo any roll marks that may not deep enough to remain visible. They did the pony but the lettering on the barrel was deep enough. It cost $415.00 shipped back to me. Also you can hard chrome plate aluminum but they first do it in nickel. Had my son's Sig 229 done when he was in the Border Patrol. Held up real good. APW does excellent work and turn around was about 3 weeks.

LLOYD17 · #60 08-18-2021, 12:11 AM

APW did this one recently. They re-cut the logo prior to plating and sent the hammer and trigger out for re-CCH.

Poke · #61 08-23-2021, 10:45 AM

I just sent this 27-2 to APW with high hopes they can make it a beautiful gun again. I received it in a gun trade and literally had zero dollars in it until I clicked ok on the charge for shipping.

Poke · #62 10-05-2021, 07:33 PM

This model 27 came back today.

Original Grips

Added some Combats

biblethumpincop · #63 10-05-2021, 10:59 PM

I had my 22 Colt Diamondback hard chromed with Metalife by Mahovsky around 2008. I had both a 4" and 6" barrel chromed so I can swap them. I'm still very pleased.

StrawHat · #64 10-06-2021, 06:16 AM

On the 1911 Addicts forum they are talking about the demise of NP3. The supplier ha stopped making it.

Kevin

CH4 · #65 10-06-2021, 08:10 AM

I love the look and durability of hard chrome. The only other option for me is black nitriding.

Targets Guy · #66 10-06-2021, 10:57 AM

I purchased a 1941 shipped BSR that had been chromed and changed from a .38SW to a .38 special by reaming the cylinder and putting on a .38 special 4" barrel. I bought a .38SW Victory barrel, had it chromed and now the BSR is a .38SW once again.

upload images for free

ladder13 · #67 10-06-2021, 01:59 PM

Bob Cogan is a master of HC. He also has very competent gunsmiths on staff.

Ron Mahovsky is another well regarded hardchromer, not sure if he does smithing should you require that.

Seems loke I’ve commented before.

bgrafsr · #68 10-07-2021, 08:59 AM

I had a couple of my backup guns done in Armolloy, and never had a problem with rust. It is hard chrome.

brendonjames65 · #69 10-07-2021, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryHK

Is that company that did "NP3" still around? I forget the name.

Maybe that is an option.

The Robar Company is no longer in business, I believe the owner retired but Wright Armory (wrightarmory.com) now is the exclusive distributor of NP3. I know nothing about this company but I’m glad someone is continuing the NP3 process. My brother (forum member mchom) had a Model 29 done in NP3 by Robar as backup on an Alaskan grizzly hunt and it’s held up perfectly over the past 17 years and has some built in lubricity too, no need to oil externally coated NP3 areas.

StrawHat · #70 10-07-2021, 10:37 AM

Wright Armory says no more

NP3 Finally in the Grave? | 1911 Firearm Addicts

Kevin

Zamani · #71 10-09-2021, 06:54 PM

Friend of mine had a colt 1911 hard chromed.The gun has been reliable and durable for over 10 years now.Thing that surprised me is the chrome did not fill in the roll marks or type.I have a electroless nickle factory colt that has a gold tint to it a matte finish.It is 40+ years old and looks new.You can't go wrong with these if you like the look.