New finish recommendation?

[Brad VanHorn]

I'm planning to have one or both of my CZ P-01 refinished and I'm undecided on which finish to choose. I was originally planning on hard chrome, but have since been lured into uncertainty by Robar NP3. NP3 has been around for a long time and the few weapons I've handled with that finish were really slick, but I've never gotten around to trying NP3 myself. Appearance really isn't important to me, so that's not a factor. Anyone with any contributing thoughts?

[John Badertscher]

I've had two rifles done by T. Mark Graham "Gunplumber" out in Arizona. He does great work. www.arizonaresponsesystems.com

His coating is proprietary. I'm particularly fond of his "patina" finish, but it's his attention to detail which really is above and beyond.

That being said, I'd be open to other options as well.

[Joe Ford]

It depends on your needs.

Hardchrome
+'s
its hard, wears well, pretty rust proof, easy cleanup of the gun, lasts a long long time probably the best most durable all around finish.
-'s
Cost, $200-$300, has to be shipped, If done wrong can ruin the steel making it brittle. Only comes in Silver.

Ion bond:
+'s
Its hard, will withstand 1000's of kydex holster draws. Color choices. rust proof probably nearly as good as chrome, No chance of messing up steel temper.
_'s
Gun has to be mailed, cost $200-$300

Twopart airbrush Duracoat
+'s
Cheap, $50 for the tools then about $16 for enough to do 3 handguns.
The most durable best looking home finish out there. Much better than any of the Brownell's shake and bakes. Gun doesnt have to be mailed.
-'s
Takes skill and practice to apply finish will need annual touchup.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

The Robar NP3 finishes seem to hold up well. It's satin silver in color. Cobra Chrome is the best hard chrome I know of, but Virgil is no longer doing guns (too busy with other projects :( ).

The BEST black finish I have ever used is by Ron Losie. It's called Black Max and I have been using it for years now. I love it. Here's Zig's 1911 and the Black Max coating has been on the gun for several years now:

http://www.tacticalshooting.com/photos/DSC02585.jpg

Black Max is a proprietary polymer finish that holds up better than ANY Teflon or paint coating out there.:cool:

[John Stowe]

How does the Black Max hold up to Kydex holster wear?? :confused: