Hard chrome AK-47?

[cnorman18]

Classic Arms has a hard-chromed AK-47 for sale, a Yugo M70 B2 underfolder. It's about $90 more than the unchromed model.


My question is, aside from appearance, is the hard chrome a good idea? Does it percent rust, increase durability, or what? If it just makes the gun look cool, I'm not interested; but if it has some practical value, I might be.

Since no one makes a stainless AK, this looks like it might be the next best thing. Any opinions?

 

[rcmodel]

Whether or not it makes the gun look cool is very subject to debate.

In my circle of friends, I would get laughed off the range with a chrome plated AK-47!


rcmodel

 

[jpwilly]

If I had to get it i'd paint it black!

 

[Hoppy590]

i believe hard chrome is more resiliant to corrosion and rust than regular blued or park'd steel. but i dont know how much if at all it is than SS.


that said. id buy it only as a presentation piece. got a friend, son or nephew fought in Iraq, Afghanistan or any conflict since about 1956. (from 47-56 the AK was kept secret. and after Budhapest began to be seen in the hands of Com Bloc nations.)

that said, it might make a nice "thank you for your service" gift. also the Yugos are one of the better AK's available right now

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Is hard chrome a better finish than blued steel? Undoubtedly.

It's kind of gaudy... but I would take one.

 

[Halo is for Kids]

Any opinions?

4fun.

from http://www.classicarms.us/

 

[Curare]

Hard chrome is one of the best firearm finishes. I've considered a hard chromed P7M8 with a flat black Gun Kote top coat. Gun Kote would improve upon the corrosion resistance of the HC, while HC offers an incredibly hard surface treatment that bake on finishes lack.

 

[Shipwreck]

Never seen a hard chromed AK before ( I have several hard chromed slides on handguns)

Putting a polymer coating OVER hard chrome is crazy? The coating will end up wearing off over time - with just holster wear - whereas if U hard chromed the gun to begin with - its almost holster wear proof.

If ya want the best corrosion protection - do NP3 - not as wear resistant - but the best corrosion proof treatment U could get.

 

[MyRoad]

And then there is the tactical advantage of being able to redirect sunlight off of the side flats into the eyes of the enemy, temporarily blinding them as you charge into battle...

(yes, that's a joke)

If they are completely hard chromed, I would guess that would make them good candidates for long term storage, for instance if you were planning on "buying one while you can" and then sticking it in the attic for future generations...

(that's not necessarily a joke, but maybe just a bad idea)

 

[NASCAR_MAN]

cnorman18,

A Hard-chrome AK-47 makes no sense to me from a hunting or self-defense point of view. But....if I saw one, then I would buy it in about 8 nanoseconds!

Nice Rifle!

NASCAR

 

[Wolfgang2000]

I agree with Curare. Hard chrome is one of the best wearing finishes on the market. In the early 80's I had my working 870 refinished with what was then called electro-less nickle. This was long before the "marine" gun came out. It's one of the best wearing finishes I've ever had. Anyone that has ever carried a gun on duty 24 7 knows they take a beating. It was my constant companion from 82 till about 95. After that I rode a desk but it was still in my trunk. It is still doing good.

The question is should you get a hard chromed AK? My first impression is yes. Yes it will shine, some. But that can be addressed. LEO's carry stainless guns all the time. They don't shine that much. The durability of the finish is great.

 

[dfariswheel]

Hard chrome doesn't HAVE to be bright and shiny.
The original hard chrome as first offered to the public is a satin pearl-Gray in color that reflects LESS light than a blued gun.

In appearance, it's a flat gray color.

 

[Acheron]

Hard chrome is a good finish and I personally like the looks of them. Classic Arms also has a few hard chrome M44s. I might get one of those in the future. If you guys don't want 'em thats fine, means more for me!

 

[Snapping Twig]

Here's an example of a formerly blued gun hard chromed.

This is the satin finish version.

328416[/ATTACH]"]http://

 

[tyesai]

I've wanted one of those for awhile, the problem is is that I'm in Turkey for the next two, maybe three years. I've thought about making my brother in Kentucky buy one and put it in the gunsafe.

 

[1 old 0311]

Yes it is durable. Yes I want one. I buy what I want, not what my friends approve of.

 

[plexreticle]

I like it

 

[MrTwigg]

Classic Arms - Those guys'll chrome anything ! Sometimes they look good, others, well...

Snapping Twig, What kinda Smith is that ? That's nice !

 

[Caipirinha]

Would this solve the issue of the Yugo's non-chrome-lined barrels?

 

[The Deer Hunter]

You have to be sure whoever chromed it did it right. I read here somewhere not too long ago that if it just chromed like a car bumper (well, like they used to...) it wont be able to stand up to the rigors of shooting (shock from shooting, heavy duty solvents etc...). I'm just repeating what I heard, though.

 

[rocinante]

hard chrome is not the same as chrome like on a car bumper. It was first used in industrial tools to give them an incredibly tough finish. I had a Walther P1 hard chromed and it has a dull sheen like the S&W above. At first I was disappointed because it almost looked plastic but a little chrome polish added just enough shine to make it attractive IMHO.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

It's a plating shop that shares the building with Classic. They seem to do good work, and are a good bunch of guys.

You have to be sure whoever chromed it did it right

 

[SDC]

It's pimpalicious, but no more so than one of those gold-coloured Desert Eagles; if you want it, buy it and enjoy it.

 

[paintballdude902]

i believe hard chrome is more resiliant to corrosion and rust than regular blued or park'd steel. but i dont know how much if at all it is than SS.
that said. id buy it only as a presentation piece. got a friend, son or nephew fought in Iraq, Afghanistan or any conflict since about 1956. (from 47-56 the AK was kept secret. and after Budhapest began to be seen in the hands of Com Bloc nations.)
that said, it might make a nice "thank you for your service" gift. also the Yugos are one of the better AK's available right now

my dad is a vietnam vet and did serveal trips back and fourth until around 75-76

on once trip the guy he was working with was given a gold plated ak and my dad was given a rolex

but since the war was officially over these "political gifts" had to turned into the govt.

he told me that the base he was stationed at had glass display cases filled with rolexs, and other political gifts along with a single one gold plated ak (humm i wonder where that came from )

 

[Shipwreck]

Here are my hard chromies too: