Blued vs Nickel vs Stainless

[RetCapt]

My overall preference is stainless due to its durability. With a single exception (blue departmental commemorative) my DA revolvers have always been work related. Stainless stands up better in this kind of environment. That includes my two PPC revolvers. Competition revolvers see many more rounds go through them than duty/off duty revolvers, with the attendant finish wear.

I have a 6" 586 that I ordered with the tall front sight for a neck hold at 50 yards. Among other modifications I have this one electroless nickel plated. Same exterior toughness as stainless, which is what I was after.

As far as SAAs go, SGT ROCK 11B nailed it, nickel with stag grips. I would prefer my engraving in the style of Cole Agee, but that is nit picking.

The closest I can come to SGT ROCK 11B's is two bright stainless Ruger Vaqueros with stag grips. I bought these to go in a Roy Rogers holster system commissioned when the museum was still in operation. The two replicas that came with the set were just too crude for the level of craftmanship in the holsters. The fit and finish on these two first generation Vaqueros is perfect. Unfortunately no engraving by Agee.

My LE career was spent in a coastal environment, which made stainless even more desirable. I had seen a number of LEOs not take the extra precautions necessary for blue firearms in such circumstances with the expected results.

Once the tin worm starts, it does not want to stop.

 

[Buford57]

Singing (praises of) the blues

I have owned 7 nickel and 3 stainless handguns in my life. Still have a 642, a 60 and a nickel pre-war M&P. I have lost count of the blued guns. Mrs. Buford is a stainless fan and will likely claim the 60. The M&P will be sold soon. The 642 is my EDC, but could easily be replaced by a finish-worn Model 38. Purely personal preference.

 

[HamHands]

I was just curious which finish is most preferred on the forums. I prefer stainless because it seems to be the least maintenance of the three and most resilient to wear and tear of use. I will admit I am a sucker for a beautiful blued revolver or nickel handguns in general.

The way I see it (which could be incorrect)

Stainless is the most rugged finish

Nickel offers the most corrosion resistance and has the most shine to it

Blued has a classic appeal to it and certain bluing is arguably functional art.

Whichever you pick, post a photo of your favorite gun in that finish! I would love to see some beautiful and functional guns! The 686 made me a fan of Stainless, here is my 686-3

Well, if you are bigly built and sweaty like I am in the Carolina and Georgia heat... Nickel is the ticket. Carried a Nickel M36 from 1977' for the last almost 10 years when it's even semi-hot out. No rust, s#!t and debris just wipes off like Teflon, and it's pretty hard so no scratches to speak of or spots. Just wipe out the holster every 10-15 days and rock on is how I've run her. I'll post pics later.

-Hams

 

[BabaBlueJay]

@Hams that is why I carry stainless. Less hassle with rust (not that it can´t) Just easier to maintain and less sensitive to holster wear.

 

[Echo40]

Stainless Steel is my favorite.

Attractive, corrosion-resistant, low maintenance, and easily customized/restored.

If you buy a used Stainless Steel firearm that's all scratched up and rusted, all it takes to restore it a scotchbrite pad to polish it back up to your liking. Can't do that with a Blued or Nickel finish.

 

[Heinz]

3 choices

Sometimes it is too hard to choose

 

[MSD2343]

Partial to blue.

 

[Oldsalt66]

Having both, I like the appearance of blue best, but I "prefer" stainless for durability because I shoot a lot, so I voted stainless.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

@Old Salt I am with you for durability and regular use. Hard to not eye the blued ones with longing eyes though. There is an old blued Model 14 that has been tempting me.

 

[.357magger]

Depends on the gun and it's anticipated usage.

Working guns? Stainless wherever possible.

Classic or collectable? Blued or nickel, just depends how you find them.

Just my $.02.

 

[Shootgood]

I personally like nickel best if it's a safe queen followed by blued..I like stainless for a carry gun.

 

[jakerudy]

For rugged, functional, and low maintenance I use stainless but if function was all I cared about a Glock would work. The look and feel of blue or nickel just isn't matched by stainless. Since I think a worn blue finish looks better than worn nickel I vote blue.