Shield Finish Wearing Off

[Fuzzyhead]

A handgun with holster wear is a thing of pride and beauty.

Well said sir, I agree.

 

[snowman.45]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, inspite of what some may believe, there is no way Melonite is in the same league as Tennifer. I have a Gen 2 Glock 19 that has seen its fair share of horrific abuse from here to the sandbox...holstered in kydex rigs filled with sand, neglected, dropped on the deck too many times on my bird, and aside from the polymer displaying a number of dings and cuts, the finish on my slide cleans up just as new. I know of no one with a Melonite pistol who can say the same, but know many who have had complaints over the durability and wear resistance of this so-called American version of Tennifer known as Melonite.

Again, Melonite and Tenifer are not surface coatings. The surface color is from Magnesium Phosphate or other finish. Melonite and Tenifer are metal surface treatments that harden the exterior several mil deep and prevent/retard rust.

 

[fallhunter]

I want to learn more about Tenifer. And Melinite for that matter.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

 

[Corysxj88]

I understand what the OP is talking about. I will be upset once I start concealing my shield and it starts showing holster wear, but then I will get over it and it will not matter to me....If it gets bad enough I can pay to have the slide refinished with somethinr a bit more durable. Cerkaote, etc.

Just let it be and know that its not the end of the world and you can always get it refinished.

 

[Ohsheepdog]

The ONLY surface coating I've ever seen with zero wear is the Diamond-Like-Coating (DLC) that's on my Kahr PM9. I've carried it every day for 4.5 years in leather & kydex with no wear or reduction in the finish.
And yes, the tenifer/melonite finishes are under a phosphate or similar coating. The wear you see is to the surface coating, not the tenifer.

Sent from somewhere between the Ohio territory & the neutral zone.

 

[Jaysq]

You said you "recently" purchased the holster. Just how long have you been carrying your shield in it? All holsters will start to wear on your guns, but over time. It sounds like you are getting early wear on yours.

Can you let us know the time frame....

 

[OilTrader]

Melonite is the result of a ferric nitrocarburizing process, not a coating. It is done to achieve results similar to case hardening and to provide rust resistance. The process is done in a pressurized salt bath, and trade names besides Melonite are Tuffride and Tenifer. It does have a Rockwell rating, which is 64. This rating is similar to blade steels such has Hitachi's ZDP-189 when properly heat treated, which means it will show wear with time and use. If you want a really durable coating, I would look to Ionbond's DLC which has a Rc of 85 and is applied in a gaseous process. This is used on blade steels all the time. It is there for rust prevention of high carbon blades and appears black. I have a Ruger SP101 done in DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) and its tough as nails. DLC also adds a lubricity feature that Melonite, Tuffride and Tenifer don't provide.

Reader's Digest version: your Shield is showing wear due to the kydex holster, and its nothing to worry about. I agree with others that have said a little holster wear just adds character.

 

[bearpugh4570]

i like remora holsters.

 

[Stratajema]

+1...

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

Edmo

No. The black 'finish' is produced as a result of the melonite or tennifer process. It is not added on. Some gun manufactures (Glock?) will put an additional black finish on top of a tennifer processed slide and others do not.

I would be more worried about carrying IWB in a high humidity environment using a holster with leather backing. Because the leather will hold moisture against the gun. And another concern is whether some of the small holster makers are smart enough to use a leather that is non-acidic.

 

[mag318]

Everyone is different on how they respond to finish wear on any firearm. Some couldn't care less about their firearms appearance as long as it works, and others want to keep their guns as pristine as possible. I personally have carried for over 40 years and have seen what holster wear can do to a handguns appearance. This is why I'm a big proponent of stainless steel and other durable finishes. This is strictly a personal preference and there are several great finishes available outside the factory.
I like Robars NP3 for several reasons, not only does it look great and is very durable. The teflon impregnation requires very little lubrication and will function with none at all. The finish also makes cleaning much easier as carbon deposits just wipe away. Granted it's expensive, but on handguns I carry I spare no expense.
I've even done a couple Beretta PX4s in NP3, there original Bruniton
finish really shows wear quickly.

 

[dav2no1]

Your post is confusing? Is your holster leather or kydex or both? I have a Rocket man ECP RM Holster in kydex. You can use some silicone spray on the kydex to make is less abrasive on your gun. I personally leave my gun in the holster. My holster is designed to slip over my belt loop, so I dont need to take the gun in and out. Just pop off holster and into the safe.

 

[41Magdude]

Kydex is hell on gun finishes

 

[MWD9557]

My M&P Shield is only a week old and fired only a few rounds and the black finish is showing signs of wear already. When using the gun to fire a lot or just carrying in a leather or kydex holster, the finish will wear off as will with most stock guns. Yes, it is a nature of the beast. I too rather see this then not for an edc. For a collector standpoint, I wouldn't want to see wear. But, this gun is for carry and or use, not really a collectors type of gun.
Remember though under the black finish is stainless steel, so corrosion shouldn't be a concern.

My opinion of course.

 

[Horn]

Loving Holsters?

I'll start by apologizing if this is a repeat thread and/or something that I should already know, but I have a question about the finish on the Shield, or any carry gun for that matter.

I recently purchased a FoxX holster from Amazon for my new Shield .40 (I won't include a link b/c I don't know the rules on that, but it's very easy to find on Google or Amazon). I love the holster, and would highly recommend it. It's identical to models selling for $100+ and I got it for $40 with free shipping. My only problem is the kydex leather is quickly removing the finish from my slide. To say I'm a perfectionist with my guns would be a massive understatement, and it is really hard to watch my Shield get worn.

Is there anything I can do to "refinish" this gun from time to time, or is it simply time to come to the reality that my carry gun is going to have some damage on it? It's ok to be harsh... I think I can handle it

I seems the holster is the problem rather than the finish on the gun. You may have to _delove (Is there such a word?) the holster or live with additional wear. I have a shield I carry daily usually in a Sticky holster or in a Comp-Tac Gladiator that has a kydex shell with absolutely no holster wear. I know a lot of our posters have had similar good luck with several brands of holsters.
You have a fine pistol.

 

[cracker57]

my hammer also has wear marks scratches ect. It is a tool you bought to save your life. If you like pretty buy another one to look at. nuff said.

 

[MWD9557]

my hammer also has wear marks scratches ect. It is a tool you bought to save your life. If you like pretty buy another one to look at. nuff said.

Yep. Plus if you use it as a tool then the ejected shells also nick up the finish. I just talked to a guy that removed all the black off his m&p shield and then polished it up. Looks very sexy now with the stainless being that white silver color and the black grip!