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02-07-2021, 11:24 PM
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Cosmetic differences between Melonite and Armornite?
Last month I purchased an M&P40 Shield 1.0 and I couldn't help but notice that the finish on mine appears much more matte than I'm used to seeing others in photos/videos of other folks M&Ps online.
For reference, here are some pics of my Shield...
Does the M&P's finish polish or otherwise become less matte and more satin as it wears, or are the pictures I'm seeing online of other M&Ps that look more shiny just a trick of the light refracting off of a freshly lubricated surface? Or are there merely cosmetic differences between the 1st Gen Melonite and 2nd Gen Armornite finishes in which one or the other is more shiny?
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Last edited by Echo40; 02-07-2021 at 11:27 PM.
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02-08-2021, 12:07 AM
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Read up on QPQ...and "all will be revealed."
Quench polish quench - Wikipedia
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02-08-2021, 01:51 AM
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02-08-2021, 04:38 AM
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Photography also makes a difference; for instance, the same gun photographed in artificial and natural light.
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02-08-2021, 11:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve912
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That doesn't answer my question at all. Both Melonite and Armornite are QPQ, what I want to know is why certain M&P Pistols appear to be more matte while others appear more shiny.
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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.
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02-08-2021, 09:35 PM
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If you really, really want to know about the effects of nitrocarburizing on metal surfaces, dive into this research article: Surface Topography of Nitrided Steel Surfaces. At least it is a starting point for further learning.
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02-08-2021, 09:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Forte Smitten Wesson
That doesn't answer my question at all. Both Melonite and Armornite are QPQ, what I want to know is why certain M&P Pistols appear to be more matte while others appear more shiny.
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The original Melonite finish on my early production M&Ps has a less shiny finish and somewhat lighter finish overall than the latest Armorite finish which is shinier and blacker.
That being said, even the very same pistol can appear to have a different finish in 2 different pictures due to the effect of different lighting and surface preparation.
Last edited by Oldsalt66; 02-08-2021 at 10:00 PM.
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02-09-2021, 12:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Forte Smitten Wesson
That doesn't answer my question at all. Both Melonite and Armornite are QPQ, what I want to know is why certain M&P Pistols appear to be more matte while others appear more shiny.
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Re-check the "P" in QPQ. 
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02-10-2021, 09:06 AM
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The final finish is a function of the starting finish. If the slide is more polished before treating, I imagine it will have a shiner finish when completed. If it is a rougher finish when starting, probably get a more matte finish when finished. If you look at S&Ws over the years, they have different quality finishes on the same model firearms. May depend on the run on how well polished the starting surface is.
Rosewood
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