Modern Coatings (Robar NP3+ et. al.) and C&R Firearms

LockedBreech · July 17, 2011, 05:10 PM

Hey all. I did a search and couldn't find this precise topic.

As I prepare to purchase my first C&R firearm (a new-barrel CZ-82 from J&G), I am wondering about the finish. This seems to be the only real issue with milsurp firearms, peeled, scratched, worn, or otherwise non-ideal finish. This is understandable as these are not new firearms. 82s, Makarovs, etc. tend to be otherwise very well regarded for functionality and affordable ammo.

I was wondering, though, if there was anything that would make it impossible to apply a cutting-edge modern coating like Robar's NP3+ to a C&R firearm. Is there anything unique about the older frames and slides that would make this impossible, or a bad idea?

I know that money-wise it doesn't make a ton of sense to apply a $400 coating to a $200 firearm, but I don't sell my firearms. Once I purchase a gun, it stays mine for life unless it's horribly unreliable or I fall on particularly bad times money-wise, so I like to keep my stuff very well cared for and in great condition. I'd be willing to spend the money to have a kick-butt 82.

Thanks for answering what may be a newbie question, I'm only just now starting to look at C&R and at getting my C&R license from BATFE.

LockedBreech · July 19, 2011, 03:25 PM

I'm going to give this guy one bump, since he fell off the first page and I am pretty curious, but after that I'll leave it to die and try to find answers elsewhere. Sorry if this bump irritates anyone.

Bill DeShivs · July 19, 2011, 04:13 PM

Milsurp guns can be refinished in modern finishes.
I prefer hard chrome, but NP3, nickel, and cobalt are also good choices.

**Tom Servo** · July 19, 2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

I was wondering, though, if there was anything that would make it impossible to apply a cutting-edge modern coating like Robar's NP3+ to a C&R firearm.

Not at all. Most refinishing processes involve stripping the old finish as the first step.

LockedBreech · July 19, 2011, 05:53 PM

Are there any reputable outfits that do hard chroming or is it a DIY thing? I think a CZ-82 with a well done high-quality finish would be a thing of beauty.

Bill DeShivs · July 19, 2011, 08:46 PM

http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/index.htm

http://www.originalmetaloy.com/index.html

glock20c · July 19, 2011, 09:58 PM

www.fordsguns.com

LockedBreech · July 20, 2011, 12:41 AM

Added to my book of TFL vetted vendors. You guys are aces, thanks.

jsmaye · July 20, 2011, 08:55 AM

Speaking of CZ vz-82s I bought one two years ago with a decidedly worn finish. At a machine shop owned by a friend I bead-blasted and hot-blued it.

Before

After

LockedBreech · July 20, 2011, 01:33 PM

jsmaye, that looks fantastic, how much did it cost you?

jsmaye · July 21, 2011, 08:35 AM

Nothing - my friend who owns the shop wanted to test his new bluing tanks (I also re-blued a M91/30) and I did the bead blasting myself using his booth. We barter services back and forth.

I forgot to mention (and you can't see it in the photo) that I used a red and yellow paint pen and filled the indentions in the front and rear sights - two small yellow dots in the rear and the ramp highlighted in the front.

July 17, 2011, 05:10 PM	#1
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,293	Modern Coatings (Robar NP3+ et. al.) and C&R Firearms Hey all. I did a search and couldn't find this precise topic. As I prepare to purchase my first C&R firearm (a new-barrel CZ-82 from J&G), I am wondering about the finish. This seems to be the only real issue with milsurp firearms, peeled, scratched, worn, or otherwise non-ideal finish. This is understandable as these are not new firearms. 82s, Makarovs, etc. tend to be otherwise very well regarded for functionality and affordable ammo. I was wondering, though, if there was anything that would make it impossible to apply a cutting-edge modern coating like Robar's NP3+ to a C&R firearm. Is there anything unique about the older frames and slides that would make this impossible, or a bad idea? I know that money-wise it doesn't make a ton of sense to apply a $400 coating to a $200 firearm, but I don't sell my firearms. Once I purchase a gun, it stays mine for life unless it's horribly unreliable or I fall on particularly bad times money-wise, so I like to keep my stuff very well cared for and in great condition. I'd be willing to spend the money to have a kick-butt 82. Thanks for answering what may be a newbie question, I'm only just now starting to look at C&R and at getting my C&R license from BATFE. __________________ Beretta PX4 .40 - Colt 1968 Detective Special .38 Spc. - Ruger LCP .380 - Daniel Defense M4V1 Carbine 5.56 - Ruger 10/22 .22LR - Remington 870 Express Tactical 12GA

July 19, 2011, 03:25 PM	#2
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,293	I'm going to give this guy one bump, since he fell off the first page and I am pretty curious, but after that I'll leave it to die and try to find answers elsewhere. Sorry if this bump irritates anyone. __________________ Beretta PX4 .40 - Colt 1968 Detective Special .38 Spc. - Ruger LCP .380 - Daniel Defense M4V1 Carbine 5.56 - Ruger 10/22 .22LR - Remington 870 Express Tactical 12GA

July 19, 2011, 04:13 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 6,456	Milsurp guns can be refinished in modern finishes. I prefer hard chrome, but NP3, nickel, and cobalt are also good choices. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

July 19, 2011, 05:53 PM	#5
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,293	Are there any reputable outfits that do hard chroming or is it a DIY thing? I think a CZ-82 with a well done high-quality finish would be a thing of beauty. __________________ Beretta PX4 .40 - Colt 1968 Detective Special .38 Spc. - Ruger LCP .380 - Daniel Defense M4V1 Carbine 5.56 - Ruger 10/22 .22LR - Remington 870 Express Tactical 12GA

July 19, 2011, 08:46 PM	#6
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 6,456	http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/index.htm http://www.originalmetaloy.com/index.html __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

July 19, 2011, 09:58 PM	#7
glock20c Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: Central Florida Posts: 89	www.fordsguns.com

July 20, 2011, 12:41 AM	#8
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,293	Added to my book of TFL vetted vendors. You guys are aces, thanks. __________________ Beretta PX4 .40 - Colt 1968 Detective Special .38 Spc. - Ruger LCP .380 - Daniel Defense M4V1 Carbine 5.56 - Ruger 10/22 .22LR - Remington 870 Express Tactical 12GA

July 20, 2011, 08:55 AM	#9
jsmaye Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Location: Amarillo, Tx Posts: 602	Speaking of CZ vz-82s I bought one two years ago with a decidedly worn finish. At a machine shop owned by a friend I bead-blasted and hot-blued it. Before After __________________ No matter how big and tough you are, when a two-year-old hands you a toy phone you'll answer it.

July 20, 2011, 01:33 PM	#10
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,293	jsmaye, that looks fantastic, how much did it cost you? __________________ Beretta PX4 .40 - Colt 1968 Detective Special .38 Spc. - Ruger LCP .380 - Daniel Defense M4V1 Carbine 5.56 - Ruger 10/22 .22LR - Remington 870 Express Tactical 12GA

July 21, 2011, 08:35 AM	#11
jsmaye Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Location: Amarillo, Tx Posts: 602	Nothing - my friend who owns the shop wanted to test his new bluing tanks (I also re-blued a M91/30) and I did the bead blasting myself using his booth. We barter services back and forth. I forgot to mention (and you can't see it in the photo) that I used a red and yellow paint pen and filled the indentions in the front and rear sights - two small yellow dots in the rear and the ramp highlighted in the front. __________________ No matter how big and tough you are, when a two-year-old hands you a toy phone you'll answer it.