paupal
US Veteran
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Cerakote finish. I just had my mod 19 done in midnight blue, and it really looks good and it was cheaper than traditional blueing. 
CeraKote, pros and cons
- Thread starter paupal
- Start date
doublesharp
Member
I don't have a cerakote but I do have a couple revolvers with miracle coatings. This Diamondback has a Robar NP3 coating. Guy I got it from said it had over 10,000 rounds thru it. It's still tight and shoots great.
The S&W mod 29 has an Artic Kote finish. I don't know how much it's been shot but it's had a trigger job and is my fav .44 to shoot.
The S&W mod 29 has an Artic Kote finish. I don't know how much it's been shot but it's had a trigger job and is my fav .44 to shoot.
ut-ho
Be careful of what ya post, can get some fired up
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha.../337638-molested-pre-27-3-1-2-gun-broker.html
Be careful of what ya post, can get some fired up
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha.../337638-molested-pre-27-3-1-2-gun-broker.html
I'd like to see your 19.
The few times I took my Creakote out, I got to really appreciate the finish for it durability and ease of cleaning. Was nice having a revolver you could rough-house and not worry about harming the finish.
I think the members were upset that it was done to a collectible pre-27, and I understand, made me cringe some when I seen it.
It's your gun, bought with your money, don't worry what others think.
The few times I took my Creakote out, I got to really appreciate the finish for it durability and ease of cleaning. Was nice having a revolver you could rough-house and not worry about harming the finish.
I think the members were upset that it was done to a collectible pre-27, and I understand, made me cringe some when I seen it.
It's your gun, bought with your money, don't worry what others think.
LouisianaJoe
Member
I bought a Glock 21 that was traded by a local Sheriff's dept. It was in good shape and showed some wear on the slide. I had the slide Cerakoted and I put a Wilson barrel in it so I can shoot lead bullet reloads in it. Here is the result:
gdnagle
US Veteran
It's paint on coating, which you can have whatever color you want. Like you said cheaper and a DIYér could do it. Most say it's durable.
It's not the original finish.
Different strokes it's your firearm do what ya wanna do, I will probably do a coating on my 80% lowers. Would I do it over a factory finish no but that's me. Heck people camo their firearms so what's the difference. BTW I don't like camo had a rifle cammoed and set it down, never did find it belnded in right well.
And yes pictures.
It's not the original finish.
Different strokes it's your firearm do what ya wanna do, I will probably do a coating on my 80% lowers. Would I do it over a factory finish no but that's me. Heck people camo their firearms so what's the difference. BTW I don't like camo had a rifle cammoed and set it down, never did find it belnded in right well.
And yes pictures.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
Yes a sprayed on coating but it's not quite DIY unless you have access to a bead blaster and aluminum oxide media. Properly prepped and applied it's durable, and thin.
I like it on rifles that see tough use. It also works great on stainless barrels.
Tan cerakote on my 6.5 x 47 Lapua Defiance action, Hart barreled, LR rifle.
I've got a BHP and a Wilson CQB 1911 in matte black cerakote. it's held up very well.
I like it on rifles that see tough use. It also works great on stainless barrels.
Tan cerakote on my 6.5 x 47 Lapua Defiance action, Hart barreled, LR rifle.
I've got a BHP and a Wilson CQB 1911 in matte black cerakote. it's held up very well.
I'd cerakote an AR, an AK, a Glock, a Savage rifle, a new Ruger single action, or a beater truck gun. I couldn't bring myself to do it to a Smith, a Colt, a Winchester, a Browning, and old Ruger, or anything similar gun. Those I would either leave as is or restore.
Cerakote is reputed to be extremely durable.
Cerakote is reputed to be extremely durable.
doublesharp
Member
Here is a S&W Performance Center 681 3" with a factory Birdsong finish. This PC finish hasn't held up nearly as well as the Robar or Arctic Kote.
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
To each their own. Personally I can't stand any of the various coats or baked on finishes. There are a lot of 19s out there and if the one you started with was particularly worn no one will knock you for making it yours. Unless it happened to be a -4 or earlier model with 2.5" barrel and round butt. Then you are in for a lashing.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Cerakote finish. I just had my mod 19 done in midnight blue, and it really looks good and it was cheaper than traditional blueing.
We need to see some photos!
kamloops67
Member
I would like to see pics as well please. Any pics of revolvers with coatings, I'm considering having an argentine contract 1937/ 1917 done. Not sure yet.
Do they make a gloss black? Would like to see your blue one.
Do they make a gloss black? Would like to see your blue one.
palmetto99
Member
I had a local gunsmith Cerakote a Rock Island Armory 1911 for me last year. The manufacturer roll mark on the slide was too muck for me and once done, it gave the pistol a good even finish. He did a few other thing too while he had it apart. That's about a year ago with about 500 rounds thru it (not that many) and the finish seems to holding up.
I didn't have any problem with getting that done to the RIA, but I don't think I could do it to any of my current S&W revolvers.
I didn't have any problem with getting that done to the RIA, but I don't think I could do it to any of my current S&W revolvers.
The word on Cerakote is generally positive -- attractive finish with many color options that holds up well under use. Thought to be a step up from the older Duracote.
There are other more expensive finishes, thought superior, like the various types of ferritic nitrocarburizing (Melonite, Ion Bond, Hard Hat) or Black T. But Cerakote appears a good, more affordable finish with improved wear characteristics compared to bluing or parkerizing.
What's critical, no matter what finish is chosen, is that a quality shop that knows how to do the prep work properly is used.
For what it's worth, Daniel Defense just placed their bets on Crerakote for their finish-upgraded rifles; DD's a quality company the doesn't cut corners.
There are other more expensive finishes, thought superior, like the various types of ferritic nitrocarburizing (Melonite, Ion Bond, Hard Hat) or Black T. But Cerakote appears a good, more affordable finish with improved wear characteristics compared to bluing or parkerizing.
What's critical, no matter what finish is chosen, is that a quality shop that knows how to do the prep work properly is used.
For what it's worth, Daniel Defense just placed their bets on Crerakote for their finish-upgraded rifles; DD's a quality company the doesn't cut corners.
doublesharp, thanks so much for your photo postings. I am familar with NP3, and BirdSong's, but not the 'arctic' one. I believe your's is the first revolver I've seen NP'd, and I think it looks great, albeit based on your one photo. It's also 'duller' than hard-chrome in appearance.
Can you please elaborated where/how the BirdSong's finish is not meeting your expectations?
The only revolver i have had personally re-done was in Black-Diamond PVD, and I was extremely impressed. Probably shouldn't have sold that one, LOL.
Can you please elaborated where/how the BirdSong's finish is not meeting your expectations?
The only revolver i have had personally re-done was in Black-Diamond PVD, and I was extremely impressed. Probably shouldn't have sold that one, LOL.
diamonback68
US Veteran
This is just me, but if I was to re-finish any finish challenged gun, I would do it in hard chrome. Much more durable finish.
