Blued vs. Nickel

Gamecock · Feb 20, 2015

I have an anti-nickel finish bias. I love blued S&W revolvers.

Is there any reason to be biased? Are nickeled guns just like blued ones, except shiny? Are nickeled ones just as accurate?

What are some pros/cons of nickel vs blue?

Laketime · Feb 20, 2015

I have a passion for highly polished blued revolvers with dark high gloss wood.To me this combo just sings with class.I also love and owned quite a few nickel ones too,but I get bored quickly with them.To me blue is easier to care for.I had one model 29-3 that the nickel actually developed a crack and started peeling on the top of the side plate .Certain solvents can damage and discolor both finishes.But I'm happiest with blue be it highly polished ,average or dull satin.

shouldazagged · Feb 20, 2015

For beauty and somewhat greater durability than nickel (no flaking), I love the blue.

For utility in a daily carry gun, make mine stainless. I'm pragmatic or a Philistine, depending on your bias.

GerSan69 · Feb 20, 2015

Nickel's more accurate, but not as accurate as stainless. I read it on the internet, so it's gotta be true.

I used to dislike nickel, but I'd shine up some of my stainless guns to a mirror finish. (I had other problems, too...) Now I have several nickel revolvers and I love them as much as the others. The finish is durable and cleans up nicely.

A10 · Feb 20, 2015

You poll should include a "both" option! I don't currently own any nickel guns but have in the past. I have a hankerin for a nickel 27, preferrably a 3.5 inch. I'd take a pinto, too! Engraved pinto would be too much to ask....

LedFowl · Feb 20, 2015

Brass looks awfully good against a blued cylinder.

muddocktor · Feb 21, 2015

I own both, but started off with a nickel 27-2 back in 1974. That pistol is now 41 years old and still looks pretty good. Personally, I find nickel to be a more durable finish than blue and definitely more resistant to rusting in high humidity areas. As for looks, both nickel and the old style blue of the 60's and 70's appeal to me equally well. A nice shiny nickel N frame is hard to not like, IMO.

rwsmith · Feb 21, 2015

Blued or satin stainless

I'll take blued or satin stainless, but I don't care for shiny guns. A long as there is a decent alternative I doubt I'll ever buy a nickel gun or even a polished stainless.

steelslaver · Feb 21, 2015

Blued. Never cared for nickeled

2hawk · Feb 21, 2015

You know, it seems like guns are like girls- I seem to see more pretty ones of all types the older I get.

Where there once was bias, now there's appreciation.

Iggy · Feb 21, 2015

I like the blue guns, but the nickel ones keep showing up in my safe.
I often carry either a nickel model 19 or 27.

muddocktor · Feb 21, 2015

rwsmith said:
I'll take blued or satin stainless, but I don't care for shiny guns. A long as there is a decent alternative I doubt I'll ever buy a nickel gun or even a polished stainless.

You just never had one live with you for a while I take it then.

Yeah, they look gaudy to some, but they are definitely easy to live with, especially when you carry them in the field. And I find that the nickel finish holds up better over time than even the old style blue S&W used to apply to their pistol, which I admit is absolutely gorgeous. Also, unless it is absolutely dark, I find the shiny nickel finish will help you aiming at night a bit more than a blued gun, which would be helpful in a night intrusion scenario at home.

max · Feb 21, 2015

I am glad you all like blue, stay away from nickel, it is bad.

mg357 · Feb 21, 2015

In the past i have owned revolvers that had blued finish and one that had Nickel finish.

both are very nice gun finishes but there is one thing that is wrong with Both of them.

They must be cleaned carefully because they can be easily damaged.

Hapworth · Feb 21, 2015

No functional difference between a nickel and a blue gun, all else being equal, except nickel is a little more durable against a holster and the elements compared to blue, which is why it was popular before the advent of stainless and later, more durable specialty finishes like hard chrome, Cerakote, etc.

I'm not for a high polish of any kind (too pimp for me), so nickel's generally not my thing, but a bead blast nickel, which has a nice matte look, I can live with.

Dave · Feb 21, 2015

I like nickel, but have a very slight preference for blue. My daughter on the other hand, fell in love with nickel when she was 12 and saw a photo of a nickel model 15 on this forum. She announced that it was "The most beautiful gun I've ever seen". She now owns a nickel model 15-4, and it is her prized possession. I have one as well, and it goes with us on daddy/daughter range days. Come to think of it. Maybe nickel is my favorite after all

loknload · Feb 21, 2015

I like blued and I like stainless and I'd never turn my nose up to something in nickel !

jakebrake · Feb 21, 2015

think model 29 with a 3 inch...

nickel all the way.

dcopper · Feb 21, 2015

Both are equally loved by Me as I have several of each!!!

MiGS · Feb 21, 2015

Blued or stainless for me as well!

I've never owned a nickel finish piece, but that doesn't mean I never will.

For me, I just prefer a finish that can't really peel or chip off. Same reason I don't buy knives w/ that black coating.

Blued vs. Nickel

Blued vs. Nickel

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