Hard Chrome... Anyone still do this? **Photos added of the 19 in question **

[Erocksmash]

Howdy,

Looking at a beat ol model 19 snub may be abile to pick it for a song.

I recall reading some time ago about a process called hard chrome, I've talked to some gun brothers about it briefly and I haven't gotten the slightest idea... a quick search reveled some older threads but with the new um.... "era" is this process still practiced?!?!

Who does it? How strong is it? How weather proof is it?

Any help, updates,suggestions are greatly appreciated....

I may just leave the ol girl just the way she is??? But why not give her a face lift

Thanks
Erik

 

[murphydog]

The process is still being used. I recall hearing positive reviews about Metaloy and Metalife and there are probably others. Done properly it is supposed to protect the metal better than "stain-less" steel, which is resistant but not immune from rust.

 

[BloodyThumb]

I have a couple of 1911s that were done in Metaloy at Wilson's in the early 90s, and a very early Nighthawk 1911 from '05. The oldest Wilson has a ton of carry time and has held up as well as any finish I have ever used.

 

[SuperMan]

Can only say that Accurate Plating does an EXCELLENT job at hard chrome. My carry gun was made in 2006 and started carrying it daily in 2007...it still looks like new and it is carried just about daily.

A friend wanted to make up a 1911 carry gun for the outdoors in .45 Super after trying a 10mm G29 and hating it... He liked the looks of mine and sent a blue Colt Combat Commander down to Accurate to have some parts fited and then hard chrome finish...came out beautiful and 100% reliable...

Bob

 

[stansdds]

Hard chrome and nickle plating used to be really popular finishes, but I think the plethora of stainless firearms put a damper on the number of firearms getting a plating job. Plenty of shops out there still doing plating and it is a good option for carbon steel firearms when it comes to corrosion resistance.

 

[Erocksmash]

Some friends have told me, weather it be luck or the Hard Chrome finish, that have dropped or had a gun dropped with no injury to the gun....

I've had stainless guns rust before for sure...

What im wondering if I get the gun or a gun plated how durable is it really, tool box gun durable? Boat gun durable?

I'm simply implying hard use in all weather conditions will it stand up to years of abuse... not saying I'm going to do that but I'm curious...

How is Accurates work? Whats the cost of a Hard Chrome plate?

 

[ladder13]

Ron Mahovsky’s Metalife or APWCogan are phenomenal.

 

[Erocksmash]

Ron Mahovsky’s Metalife or APWCogan are phenomenal.

Metalife Hard Chrome is that a different process or plating ? I checked out Ron's page and looks fantastic....

 

[ladder13]

Metalife Hard Chrome is that a different process or plating ? I checked out Ron's page and looks fantastic....

Just a different name as far as I know.
Ron has been doing hard chrome for years. His prices include disassembly as well, which is a great deal.

I have used Bob Cogan, he’s in AL so may save you on shipping, though he charges $50 up for disassembly.

Either gent is top notch.

 

[reddogs]

Friend of mine had a colt 1911 hard chromed.The gun has been reliable and durable for over 10 years now.Thing that surprised me is the chrome did not fill in the roll marks or type.I have a electroless nickle factory colt that has a gold tint to it a matte finish.It is 40+ years old and looks new.You can't go wrong with these if you like the look.

 

[colt_saa]

Accurate Plating and Weaponry has done all m hard chrome jobs for the last 30 or 40 years now.

My most recent is a SIG P239 that I wanted to be as resistant to the salt air here in Cocoa Beach

 

[Seamus O'Caiside]

APWCogan, formerly known as Accurate Plating & Weaponry, did a shotgun receiver for me a few years ago and it was perfect.

If you have a skin condition known as "rusty fingers" Bluing will rust and wear off no matter how careful you are with it, and Nickel will tarnish, but nothing will touch Chrome. It is the most durable gun finish there is.

Within the next few days I will be sending a S&W to APW Cogan to get their brushed chrome finish.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Hard chrome is definitely a strong, durable, corrosion-resistant finish. The frame of my Series 70 Gold Cup was hard-chromed some 25 years ago and shows no signs of wear, compared to the blued slide.

By comparison, this is my blued Govt Model, which was purchased around the same time. Note the finish wear on the front strap and thumb safety in particular.

If you want a silvery finish, hard chrome is definitely a good option.

 

[Green Frog]

Ron Mahovsky’s Metalife or APWCogan are phenomenal.

Just for fun we even had a set of Lyman 45-70 bullet moulds done with this stuff... and it worked! There’s no such thing as indestructible, but this stuff comes pretty close.

I’m finishing up a Para Ord build that will hopefully have its steel receiver done by Mahovsky in the not-too-distant future. I’ll blue the slide because I really like two tone semi-autos.

Another nice application was a friend’s custom engraved single shot rifle. Silvery receiver with the rest of the metal blued and nice walnut for the stock? Just WOW!

Froggie

 

[ladder13]

You guys made me go into my safe. Since CZ never made a stainless compact what do you think about doing this one up in hard chrome? or

 

[reddogs]

Ladder13 can that polycoat be removed

 

[GaryHK]

Is that company that did "NP3" still around? I forget the name.

Maybe that is an option.

 

[BloodyThumb]

Robar? If so, then yes.

 

[diyj98]

You guys made me go into my safe. Since CZ never made a stainless compact what do you think about doing this one up in hard chrome? or

Actually they did import some stainless compact guns. I had a Rami P in stainless steel. They're fairly uncommon though.

 

[GaryHK]

Robar? If so, then yes.

Yes that's the company. NP3 is very attractive and maybe an alternative to hard chrome. May want to look into it.