Refinish recommendations

[RAPOM65]

About to embark on a revolver project part of which is a refinishing. Wanted to pick the "collective forum brain" for some recommendations. This will be a working gun so the finish needs to be as durable as possible and it has to be my favorite color, evil weapon black. Something in between parkerizing, on the one end and it's current polished bluing on the other. So what ya got forum? Let's see pics of sample guns if ya got em. Thanks in advance,

Rapom


PS: Anyone know what finish the factory is using on the Nightgaurd series? How is it holding up to carry wear?

 

[armorer951]

My recommendation would be to contact Robar. They have a host of choices, and they do very high quality work.

For a service gun, the "NP3", or "NP3plus", is one of the best finishes available. (opinion)


Firearm Finishes | Robar Guns

 

[AJR337]

Black nitride / QPQ seems to address your requirements pretty well.

 

[RAPOM65]

Opinion is what I'm after, thanks 951.

 

[dfariswheel]

DLC (Diamond Like Coating) is one of the most durable of the new finishes.
It's usually a satin black unless it's oiled.
Among the compsnies that offer it are Evolution Armory and Blackhawk.

TechPlate offer about any finish you can think of including Nitride.

Welcome to the TechPlate, Inc. Military Plating Specifications Index

Many companies offer Managnese Phosphate parkerizing. This is the modern black mil-spec type not the older gray Zinc Phosphate.

Properly applied Cerikote is tougher then bluing, and supposedly better then parkerizing.
You can have it in many colors including flat black, satin black, and gloss black.
The key for Cerikote is "proper application". It's a LOT more involved then just degreasing and spraying it on. You need to use a licensed application company that's been trained.

 

[Igiveup]

I have a 1911 that I had Cerekoted and am quite pleased with the process. Durable and black is the color.

 

[Sixgun100]

I have a Colt Cobra that had hardly any finish left on the aluminum frame. I had it refinished in TR Gun Kote by a FL Gunsmith. It has held up really good since I had it done about 8 years ago. Good luck with your project!