Shield Finish Wearing Off

[Denversteve]

For starters it's a pistol and it will wear. However, any new leather (holster, shoes, gloves, boots...) should be conditioned with Neatsfoot Oil. This will moisturize the leather, soften it up and help protect whatever you're putting into the holster. It will also make the holster last much longer.

 

[pyro]

One of the few weak points of the M&P series is their finish, it's just not very durable. This is why I've sent all my M&Ps to Robar for their NP3 finish. My oldest is several years old now and even though carried a lot it still looks new. I can't recommend the NP3 finish enough, here's what my Shield looks like.

I agree. The NP3 finish is the toughest finish out there. It looks great and it's natural lubricity is a plus. If I refinish any of my pistols, this is what I will use. I had a Diamondback 9mm with this finish and while the gun was was a piece of ****, the finish was wonderful.

 

[BruceB]

You all DO know that Kydex is NOT leather, right?

It's acrylic-PVC plastic, and is a lot softer than a Melonite-treated slide. You are probably seeing plastic transfer on the slide.

If you want to have less wear on the jewels of your collection, use real leather.

 

[bp231986]

One of the few weak points of the M&P series is their finish, it's just not very durable. This is why I've sent all my M&Ps to Robar for their NP3 finish. My oldest is several years old now and even though carried a lot it still looks new. I can't recommend the NP3 finish enough, here's what my Shield looks like.

Very NICE!! How much did that run?

 

[gnystrom]

For starters it's a pistol and it will wear. However, any new leather (holster, shoes, gloves, boots...) should be conditioned with Neatsfoot Oil. This will moisturize the leather, soften it up and help protect whatever you're putting into the holster. It will also make the holster last much longer.

No offense, but I would never oil any leather holster without checking with the manufacturer first. Most makers will strongly advise you not to apply any oil. Not to mention your clothes will stain forever.

 

[mag318]

What I find amazing is that since the M&P slides are fabricated out of stainless steel why finish them at all. We all love our stainless S&W revolvers/pistols and they're easy to maintain. I think S&W should offer plain stainless finish as an option, why they don't makes no sense to me.
Check out Robars website for prices.

 

[M&P Freak]

For starters it's a pistol and it will wear. However, any new leather (holster, shoes, gloves, boots...) should be conditioned with Neatsfoot Oil. This will moisturize the leather, soften it up and help protect whatever you're putting into the holster. It will also make the holster last much longer.

A softened leather holster is a ruined leather holster.

 

[Lost Lake]

The plain stainless shows a lot of wear.

First if you polish it, you'll see every mark and finger print. So they bead blast them for a satin look and that shows wear as shiny spots.

The M&P's are a good hard finish that resists wear pretty well. The grey marks on the OP's gun are probably Kydex rubs that will come right off.

And I don't oil a leather holster. I also don't oil my leather belts. I do oil baseball gloves and my leather sofas.

 

[RussC]

I owned a Beretta Nano and in 200 rounds the hood of the barrel was worn.

My Shield has 800 rounds and 10 months of pocket conceal in a Desantis in all types of weather with the only wear mark a hairline along the barrel hood where the two angles meet and the rear XS sight which obviously is not the same durable finish.

I could not be happier with the Shield finish.

Russ

 

[mag318]

I just left a LGS where a gentleman was buying a used M&P9c with a thumb safety and it had a white stainless slide. Supposedly it was a distributor exclusive and looked great, if this guy hadn't bought it I would have because it's only the 2'nd one like this I've ever seen.

 

[BigCityChief]

I must say it looks pretty good to me. I take very good care of all my firearms but I expect them to show normal wear as I regularly use them.

For clarification, I was talking about the pistol in mag318's photos. The finish has certainly held up nicely.

 

[mag318]

I've been carrying my NP3d M&P9c for years in a Don Hume IWB leather holster and here is how the finish looks, still like new. Although most owners will be happy with the factory finish, the NP3 requires very little lubrication and makes cleaning much easier.
When my department allowed striker fired pistols for duty carry, M&Ps and Glocks, the only complaint was the Melonite finish not holding up as well as the Tenifer.

 

[00dahc]

I've been carrying my NP3d M&P9c for years in a Don Hume IWB leather holster and here is how the finish looks, still like new. Although most owners will be happy with the factory finish, the NP3 requires very little lubrication and makes cleaning much easier.
When my department allowed striker fired pistols for duty carry, M&Ps and Glocks, the only complaint was the Melonite finish not holding up as well as the Tenifer.

Top of the Shield says 9mm an the side says "40" Nice.

 

[mag318]

If you look close it says 9c.

Top of the Shield says 9mm an the side says "40" Nice.

 

[fallhunter]

I am concerned about this also. I want mine to stay nice also.

 

[jimjc]

The Tennifer finish on Glocks is no more it was replaced a few years ago..their new guns are a new finish and many are complaining about it...

Industrial Hard Chrome is the toughest finish available in a gun and it`s less expensive than NP3...I`m not bashing NP3 it`s a good finish but it's not the toughest out there it`s just the most expensive......

 

[bulldogman]

From what I understand Tenifer and Melonite are what is used to treat the raw metal for corrosion resistance. Tenifer and Melonite have nothing to do with the exterior finish that is wearing off the OP's Shield.

 

[jimjc]

From what I understand Tenifer and Melonite are what is used to treat the raw metal for corrosion resistance. Tenifer and Melonite have nothing to do with the exterior finish that is wearing off the OP's Shield.

True..... but almost everyone uses the names of the process as the finish...And almost everyone discusses the appearance as weather the finish lasts or not, weather it's bluing or anything added to the metal after the metal is formed. Explaining all this over and over on forums is way to consuming.

I just mentioned Hard chrome as being the most durable out of the many finishes out there..

 

[Edmo]

From what I understand Tenifer and Melonite are what is used to treat the raw metal for corrosion resistance. Tenifer and Melonite have nothing to do with the exterior finish that is wearing off the OP's Shield.

+1...

What he said... The black finish is applied over the Melonite and Tenifer treatment.

Edmo

 

[SMR]

maybe there is a reason that holster is $40.

normally you get what you pay for.

I have a Foxx Kydex holster and it is not "you get what you pay for!" It is very well made, but kydex is going to put wear on any carry pistol. Thats the nature of the beast. Foxx makes very nice holsters and especially for the price. You don't have to spend a 100 plus dollars to get a quality holster.