Nickel Guns...What's Your Opinion?

[M2MikeGolf]

Time's change, and one of the reason's for developement of SS firearms was the lack of durability of nickeled finishes. Nickel is much easier to apply than blue, if you've ever had to stand over a boiling blue tank you know what I mean. Early on in my military career, I took a two year "sabbatical" and worked in a gun shop in Texas, where among other things, my company offered polished & matte blue, parkerizing, and matte nickel on our rifles. The matte nickel was the easiest, and looked much like stainless when done correctly (stainless was not as common back then, and pricey). It offered a pretty good resistant finish and looked pretty good. My point is that nickel was once the "stainless" of the day, and although it's day may be over, it still works, and is an easy finish to apply and re-apply, and if stainless wasn't so common, could possibly be the finish that most opt for.

 

[Sabre03]

I only have one, a 1980 Model 36 but it is sharp; mostly go with blued. I have to admit for field work my go to gun is a SS M63 I bought in 1985, but is the only SS I have also.

 

[dlbleak]

i've had a few other nickel guns over the years, 10's,15's and a 36. but these three will never leave. i've got a presentation box for the 25 and 29. if someone knows where a box for the k frame might be, let me know. crappy pic, but here goes

 

[Pilgrim]

My last few acquisitions were nickel. I got rid of some blued ones to get them. I think I'm hooked.

 

[dmar]

I have always preferred a nice blue finish on my revolvers. But, I have to say, once I bought one, I find a nice nickel finished revolver is a beautiful thing! I now own more than a few...

Hate to say it here, but I find the Colt nickel finish to be much nicer than S&W's, and yes, I own both... I would also say that it is important to find a nickel gun that is in good condition, as once nickel has been neglected, it it about impossible to make it look good again. If properly cared for, nickel is durable, and will look great for a long, long time.

Also, "gr8smiles," that's some serious work within a year, well done; well done indeed...!

 

[xray97]

I like nickel. I've got a couple of them.
M57

M15-3

 

[toroflow1]

How about a "wheel" or "clock" of nickel N frames?

 

[dlbleak]

How about a "wheel" or "clock" of nickel N frames?

thanks, now i have drool on my keyboard!

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a few nickel plated revolvers including a 4" M57, and some Colts. There is no question that I have always preferred a high polish blued finish over nickel.

Now that is a brace of Smiths above. Nice layout.

 

[Gunsandguitars]

I only have one nickel gun, but she's a beaut!

 

[feralmerril]

Nickle guns are okay if the sights are black. I have a couple nickle but many more in blue. Just boils down to what turns you on.