Refinish- Tripp or Robar

[Ric]

I'm thinking about refinishing my Colt 1991 and I have it narrowed down to these two. I'm looking for a two tone finish.

Tripp Research or Robar

I'm looking for opinions from anyone who has used them in the past or has any first hand knowledge of their work.
Thanks

 

[rockstar.esq]

I'm thinking that my .44 mag revolver may need a refinish in a few years and I'm pretty interested as well. The only coatings that I have ever seen was a gray polymer coating that Robar had applied to a BAR. I saw it on a used gun rack and although the stock showed signs of a hard life, the action (the only coated part) looked very good. I'd be very interested to hear any testimonials about the teflon infused stuff that is supposed to provide lubrication.

 

[Billy Sparks]

I know this is not an answer to you question but. I really like Arizona Response Systems MetaCol finish.

Arizona Response Systems

 

[faustulus]

do you want nickel or crome?
If nickel go with Robar,
If Crome go with Tripp.

Crome is going to wear better than np3. The Np3 is going to have a slick feel. Also, depending on the look you want, the Np3 has a slightly brown look to it where the crome will be clear, more stainless like.

Both the cobra coat and the roguard should be about the same.

 

[Zak Smith]

Tripp's chrome and service are excellent. If you want chrome, have no reservations sending it to Tripp.

-z

 

[sturmruger]

Here are a few pics of my Steyr S9 that was finished by Tripp Research. From everything I have heard they have the best turnaround time in the business. I got back my gun 8 days after it was sent out!! I included a few other guns I had refinished for some comparison.

Total cost to have my S9 refinished plus the shipping was $80.

These last two pics I took to show the contrast between the Chrome Steyr and my custom XD9 5". The XD is finished with Gun Kote. It is a spray on polymer finish. If you want to read more about the XD Click here for the link to www.xdtalk.com

Here is a pic with my S40. It was refinished with a polymer finish from Mac's Shooting Irons of AZ.

 

[ddj8052]

I had my Kimber done by Robar and am very happy with the results. I love the way the NP3 came out and am planning on sending in my Springer for the same treatment, I highly recomend their work.

 

[rockstar.esq]

How much did Robar's service set you back?

 

[Sean Smith]

Put me down as another happy Tripp customer.

 

[Kevinch]

ddjo852 said:

I had my Kimber done by Robar and am very happy with the results.

I like the look of that Kimber - nice piece.

Is that a SS frame & slide, with everything coated?

 

[ddj8052]

Is that a SS frame & slide, with everything coated?

No, this is not a Stainless slide or frame. It was a regular Kimber 25th Anniversary model.

How much did Robar's service set you back?

The finish was $250 plus I had a coupon for 10% off. I had them do some other work at the same time. They installed a Meprolight front sight, installed a Wilson Combat checkered mainspring housing, and they Stippled the front strap. I really love this pistol, it is by far my favorite gun.

 

[medmo]

I wouldn't send anything that I valued to Robar for service. Most of Robar's finishes are "smoke and mirrors". There is no way to electroless plate nickel with a true fluorinated polymer impregnation. The NP3 finish is really nothing more than a electroless nickel plate finish.

 

[Serpico]

Tripp is for hard chrome...robar is for NP3...two totally different finishes though...NP3 is great for lubricity since it is teflon based, but hard chrome will hold up to holster wear much better...

 

[Erich]

What about Bear Coat?

Seriously, though, I'm glad to read this thread - I've been referred to Tripp by someone I trust, but Robar's NP3 keeps popping back into my head.

 

[ddc]

I

wouldn't send anything that I valued to Robar for service. Most of Robar's finishes are "smoke and mirrors". There is no way to electroless plate nickel with a true fluorinated polymer impregnation. The NP3 finish is really nothing more than a electroless nickel plate finish.

medmo,

Would you mind elaborating on your response? Especially the "There is no way to electroless plate nickel with a true fluorinated polymer impregnation." part of it?

And while we're on the subject which (other than NP3) of Robar's finishes are "smoke and mirrors"?

No flame intended; just looking for information before I spend my money.

Thanks.

 

[Gordon]

I had one of Robbie Barkmanns (Robar) early Roggard (black) finish on my 870 and a Gold Cup. It, like any teflon product got scratched in 18 years of use, BUT NOT TO EXPOSING THE BASE METAL! The Hard Chrome SS Metalife finishes I had done in the 70's still looks as new!

 

[Richard]

Bulgie Mak

This is my Bulgie Mak with hard chrome by Virgil Tripp. I do not think it gets much better. Regards, Richard

 

[Beav]

I had my Steyr M40 done by Tripp. They did a great job and the service was very fast. I also spoke with Virgil over the phone and he was very professional and easy to talk to.

 

[agtman]

Like them both ...

I agree with Serpico, NP3 and Hard Chrome are two different finishes. I like them both, and both Robar and Tripp do great work.

That said, here's a pic of my 10mm G29 that had Robar's NP3 finish applied to the barrel, slide and slide internals. I've been very happy with it.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Refinishing the Bulgie

Richard,

Are there any issues concerning metal porousity or tooling for refinishing the Mak? My next gun will probably be a bulgie, and I'd like to see about having it "prettified".

 

[Richard]

The_Antibubba, my Bulgie Mak was great but my EG Mak, also done by Virgil Tripp, has like bubbles in the metal. Am I upset? No, I bought is after the hard chroming for a carry piece. I gave $400 for it and it came with 500 rounds of ammo, 2 HBE holsters, and about 10 spare sets of grips. Regards, Richard
My EG by Tripp is the one with the Red Star grips.