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Rock Island 1911 - Parkerized or Nickel Plated?

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nachosgrande

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Was going to pick up a Rock Island 1911 as another fun, cheap range gun. The shop has two, one parkerized and the other nickel plated. The price was virtually the same. I like the look of the parkerized one better, but the guy at the counter says nickel plating is less likely to rust. All of my other handguns are stainless, and my long guns are blued, so I have nothing to compare them to. Tried searching the net and came up with nothing, so if anyone knows the pros and cons of each, I'd love to hear it.
 
Get what you like. Take care of it and there's no reason it'll rust.

Your dealer might have a bigger margin on the nickel, or he's had it longer and is concerned that it might not sell so he pushes it. Who knows?
 
Parkerized for me. If you take care of your guns it would not be a problem.
I have not had a nikel gun in years and I am sure they are tuff.
Mine got a ding and took the plating off. Like I said that was years ago.
 
.45acp = parkerized

.38 Super = nickle plated ( I dare you to call it a sissy pistol:))

Parkerizing (phosphate) is an old school rust preventitive. It holds oil on the surface very well, better than plain blued, but it ain't tennifer or teflon.

Nickle has it's own weaknesses. Some solvents will weaken the bonding layer (copper, IIRC), so you never let ammonia based solvents on it for long.

Get what you like, your long guns are still OK, aren't they?
 
I see nickle and I think pimp in a fur coat... but thats just me.
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I'm the same way, except that I side with the nickel for that reason.

They have the .45 in nickel now, too.

The parking I've seen on many Rocks looks a little too much like road-tar for my taste, but people say that it looks fine when it's got a coat of oil on it, which it should have anyway.
 
The nickle RIAs are nice for sure. I just handled a brand new parkerized RIA Tactical. Very nice finish and an incredible fit of parts. The trigger had just a little more creep and overtravel than I would like.
 
If it's the polished nickel, then I would go parked. I just picked up a RIA tactical in Satin nickel and I like it.

3271708105_f1ed5bb2c1_b.jpg
 
ZeSpectre has an great write up on his RIA Tactical in Satin Nickel, as well. With better pictures too.
 
Delaware Dan, I tried to find the write up you suggested, but can't find it. Do you have a link?
 
I'll take nickel over parkerized any day. I like an old, military piece with its parkerized finish, but it would be my last choice if I were to buy new.

Also, for practical purposes, it's easier to visually aim a shiny, light colored gun in low light conditions; it's more reflective and easier to see in the dark.

Do they come hard-chromed?
 
If the price is the same I would take nickel. It's an excellent coating and adheres very well and is better against rust (I think).

The only down side is it glares and sticks out like a sore thumb.

I think General Patton wore a nickel plated girly gun too but it wasn't a 1911.
 
By the way, it's not the nice satin nickel like Delaware Dan has, it's this shiny thing:

1235441159039685200.jpg
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PO2Hammer:
My only acceptable purpose for using a firearm against a person would be for me to defend myself. At that point, I'm not going to care who sees it. It may actually be better that they see it as soon as possible. A gun may make someone retreat and, if they see the gun earlier rather than later, they may run off that much more more quickly. I think it'd be a good thing that they know real soon that there's real, live gun pointing at them.

If I needed stealth, like if I was going to go on the offense, then I'd opt for a less visible gun.
 
Get what you like better and forget what others say. If you take care of it, the firearm will be fine regardless of finish (besides a little holster wear). All that matters is function and if YOU like it.
 
Delaware Dan, I tried to find the write up you suggested, but can't find it. Do you have a link?
Click to expand...

Heres the write up

http://www.thehighroad.us/showpost.php?p=5037248&postcount=20

Heres his pictures putting mine to shame

http://www.thehighroad.us/showthread.php?t=403033

Dan, did you get that gun from a Delaware store, or from someone online? I'm from Delaware, which is why I ask.
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I bought it at X-Ring Supply in Newark, Delaware, on RT 273.

Is the satin nickel found online anywhere?
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Not that I've seen.

what was the price on the satin tactical? If you don't mind my asking.
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$499 OTD no sales tax or fees (Thanks Delaware)
 
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