What are the drawbacks, if any, to nickel finishes?

[bsms]

I only own one, a 22/32 kit gun I've had for 35 years. Cleaned it with Hoppes #9, wipe clean, sometimes wipe with an oily cloth...after 35 years, it is looking fine. Haven't shot it much in recent years, but did about 10K rounds when we were both younger. If I could only keep one gun, I would keep it.

Looks fine to me, but it isn't like I've worn it daily in a holster or used it as a hammer...but I'm considering a nickle plated 44 special, so call me a satisfied customer.

 

[colt44sp]

Shows every scratch, to shiny to shoot and hide, flakes off and harder to touch-up. Look's like something a cheap New Orleans pimp would carry. Either you like them or you don't, guess where I am.

 

[old bear]

Just keep the #9 off the nickle finish, then keep a thin coat of high quality car wax on the finish and you should have a nice looking revolver for years to come.

 

[dogngun]

I have owned several nickel guns in various conditions.

It was done as a protective finish - it is MUCH tougher than blue. It does not like some slovents, such as Hoppe's 9. If that gets under the nickel through a scratch or such, it will attack the copper layer undr the nickel and dissolve it, causing the nickel to flake off. I have never seen this happen on a modern gun. I have owned a Model 19 and a Model 36 in nickel,and the worst I have had to deal with is a spot here and there of dulling, which is easily polished using a jewelers cloth LIGHTLY. Most of the nickel plated guns I have had-including the 2 I have now-are old. I have an IJ from 1898 and an H&R from 1915. They both have some fi8nish problems, but the plating methods have improved since then and they don't use black powder ammo either...
I think nickel handguns look great, and there are valid reasons for carrying them.

mark

 

[CQB27]

I have a 15-3 snub nose. It is my onlynickel revolver and I have had only one problem with it. As soon as I got it home and checked it over and cleaned it, my wife picked it up and put it in her purse. I have not seen it since!

 

[model70hunter]

I have a 15-3 snub nose. It is my onlynickel revolver and I have had only one problem with it. As soon as I got it home and checked it over and cleaned it, my wife picked it up and put it in her purse. I have not seen it since!

My wife did the same on a custom pre 64 model 70 and a NIB Bearcat. I have to sneak new ones in the house now.

 

[Gary7]

My wife did the same on a custom pre 64 model 70 and a NIB Bearcat.

She must have a HUGE purse.