A Finish Question.

[Ditchdigger]

I've noticed the finish is worn completely through on my Shield .40. My question as a relatively new Conceal Carrying member, is this normal wear? I realize and expect my shield to look worn and used as it is made for my hip. I shoot/holster left handed so the side that is worn through is just below the holster where it would come in contact with either my under shirt or underwear. I carry it in heavy sweat conditions due to my type of employment. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Bkreutz]

Any weapon I've ever carried has wear marks at the sharp corners and edges. Where the wear (I'm a poet and didn't know it) appears varies depending how you use it.

 

[robkarrob]

We see this question often. Those that carry where sweat is likely to end up on the gun, seem to be losing the finish faster. The finish is a very thin layer, and just slight rubbing will start the wear process. If it really is a concern, I am sure you can get it refinished.

I personally am not too concerned about the looks of my gun, as long as it functions properly. For me it's not a display gun, but for SD only. The only people that ever see my gun are those near by, when I am at the range, and then I doubt they are looking at my gun.

Bob

 

[shawn mccarver]

Since melonite is not a "finish," but a metal QPQ treatment, even if the black color wears off, the corrosion resistance does not. Melonite is the same as tenifer, the metal treatment used by Glock.

From the HefUSA web site:

MELONITE / QPQ

MELONITE, and its synonymous trade-name, Tufftride (or Tenifer), is a relatively straight-forward, flexible process to operate and maintain, and produces exceptionally uniform case hardening. The MELONITE process begins with the placement of parts in a re-circulating air preheat furnace, followed by immersion for 60-240 minutes in a molten nitrogen-rich salt solution contained in an aerated furnace. After nitriding, parts are treated in an oxidizing bath, water-cooled and rinsed.

An alternative series of post-nitriding steps involves a Quench-Polish-Quench (QPQ) sequence after liquid nitriding. For many applications, this finishing process provides a surface condition that protects against corrosion and wear better than hard chrome or nickel plating.

 

[Dino1]

That gun now has character. You will now be able to pick it out of a lineup of others just like it. At least you carry your firearm.

 

[DocSunShine]

My Shield .40 has been carried daily since November and isn't as worn as yours... That said it doesn't matter, like others have said you can get it refinished if it really bothers you, but to me the gun now has character.

 

[Rastoff]

I've noticed the finish is worn completely through on my Shield .40. My question as a relatively new Conceal Carrying member, is this normal wear?

Yes, this is perfectly normal wear and impossible to avoid.

The Melonite is remarkably durable. It's much more wear resistant than other finishes I've used. I'm a lefty too and my EDC has much more wear on it:

 

[t1.8matt]

All normal. As you can see on my Shield 9mm, I'm getting holster wear around the roll pin indentation above the extractor and also along the edge of the slide above Smith & Wesson. Not a big deal unless it's a safe queen, which it seems that yours is not. It won't hurt anything. Sorry the pics aren't the greatest.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Exactly the responses that I was hoping for. Thank you all. The shield is definitely not my safe queen, but didn't want to hear the words 'send it back'. I'll continue to carry with S&W pride.

 

[bjb4242]

You mention sweating a lot, I would wipe it down with eezox, which is a great rust inhibitor. The slide may be stainless steel, but that doesn't mean stain proof.

 

[moxie]

You might try an IWB holster that completely encloses the gun's muzzle. Such as the Blade Tech Nano or IWB:
Inside the Waistband
These holsters also protect you from the gun!