Stainless to Black

[Soap]

Being that Smith and Wesson keeps discontinuing every decent gun they've ever devised, I'm on a quest. What I want is a 5-shot .44 Special just like the 696. The problem is that I want it to have a dark finish because I hate their new and improved "3rd World Stainless". So what dark finishes can be applied over a stainless gun? Also, which ones are the most durable, where can I get it done, and approximately how much will it cost me?

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Arguably, Robar creates the best finishes out there.

Roguard is the name of thier molybdenum-disulfide based polymer coating.

Also, stainless steel can be "Blackened". It is akin to "Blueing" in that the surface of the metal is chemically transformed, but no blueing salts are used; instead, the high chrome content in stainless is transformed into chrome-sulfide. Read all about it........

Click on "Roguard" and "Additional finishes" under "Our metal finishes".

http://www.robarguns.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=4&tabindex=2

Robar has lengthy turnaround times; a testament to thier popularity and ruggedness - just a heads up, so you won't be surprised.

 

[medmo]

Rustoleum semi-gloss..... kidding of course. The finishes that simulate a blue or black oxide on SS don't hold up well to holster wear. Holster wear and scratches also seem to stand out more because of the contrasting SS underneath.

 

["yote"]

Look at the Charter Arms Bulldog. Mine is in bead blasted SS. Pretty low
key by it's self. But it is ready for any finnish you may want. Nice, small
44sp carry piece. It seems like the more Break-Free that I rub into it, the
darker and duller the SS gets. It is getting a med to dark gray color to
it now.

 

[Black Snowman]

Gun-Kote. Great stuff. Lots of places claim it as their own. Just about any coating claming moly or teflon is Gun-Kote renamed. Lots of places to get it done, lots of colors and finishes available including a new one that looks a lot like bluing. I've done 4 guns in it and it's working out great so far. Properly applied it resists holster wear very well. Poorly applied it will chip easily.