SR9C brushed stainless or black nitride?

fallingrock71 · November 17, 2012, 01:28 PM

I've decided to buy a SR9C for cc. I've never really liked the idea of having a shiny defensive handgun. However, I really like the looks of the brushed stainless finish on the SR9C. I would very much like to hear your pro's/cons of these two finishes on this particular handgun. Either one more durable or easier to maintain? Is it more or less just a personal preference? Just want more minds to bounce this off of before I decide. Thanks much!

Mercenary · November 17, 2012, 03:16 PM

I don't have any experience with stainless slides but on my black (blued) guns the finish begins to show signs of holster wear over time. The FS M&P 9 and my Shield show it bad but my G17 seems to hold up a little better. I can't help but think a stainless slide wouldn't really show wear but I could be wrong. I vote stainless!

Seaman · November 17, 2012, 03:52 PM

"I've never really liked the idea of having a shiny defensive handgun."

Smart.

Recall a car-jacking in Houston. Driver was shot dead. After the perp was caught police asked perp why he shot the driver. Perp said he saw a flash and blasted away. Driver was pulling a bright, shiny semi-auto pistol.

Shiny guns are OK for collecting or for the range. For CCW duty a handgun should be blued/black.

I have a couple of shiny (stainless steel) carry guns. Took a spray can of Rustoleum and painted them flat black. The only time an assailant should see a CC handgun is when the muzzle is smokin.

My life is worth a can of spray paint. So is yours.

Check your 6.

Red Dog · November 17, 2012, 10:07 PM

Stainless steel revolvers have been used for years as self defense pistols. But to each his own.

cheezhed · November 17, 2012, 11:52 PM

I have the stainless finish and like it. I do not know if a stainless finish will get you shot any faster than a blued gun as I think that in some instances the bad
guys enjoy hurting someone and during the day a black gun may stand out as well as a bright one. I think just go with what you like the best.

TennJed · November 18, 2012, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaman

"I've never really liked the idea of having a shiny defensive handgun."

Smart.

Recall a car-jacking in Houston. Driver was shot dead. After the perp was caught police asked perp why he shot the driver. Perp said he saw a flash and blasted away. Driver was pulling a bright, shiny semi-auto pistol.

Shiny guns are OK for collecting or for the range. For CCW duty a handgun should be blued/black.

I have a couple of shiny (stainless steel) carry guns. Took a spray can of Rustoleum and painted them flat black. The only time an assailant should see a CC handgun is when the muzzle is smokin.

My life is worth a can of spray paint. So is yours.

Check your 6.

Not sure that example would have turned out any different with a black gun. I wonder if the "motion" of drawing the weapon had anything to do with it

K_Mac · November 18, 2012, 06:58 AM

I have the all black version. I bought it not long after they came out and it still looks new after being in and out of a holster many times. I am not sure whether black, brown, green, pink, stainless, etc make any difference in a SD situation though. Either way is a good choice in my opinion. Enjoy!

wbw · November 18, 2012, 09:32 AM

I'm partial to two-tone guns. I love my SR9c. Whether or not 'shiny' is a problem, who knows? Mine would be hidden until needed.

915A · November 18, 2012, 10:18 AM

Love my two tone!

Dragline45 · November 18, 2012, 08:00 PM

I have the two tone SR9C but if I could have done it over I would have gone with the blued/black. At the time, I got it because stainless is easier to maintain but two tone just never really grew on me, especially with polymer framed pistols.

Meditator · November 18, 2012, 10:15 PM

I have both and like both.

breakingcontact · November 18, 2012, 11:54 PM

Black.

Johnnymurad · November 19, 2012, 01:06 AM

I carry the black one all the time. Everything I buy is Ruger and blued...

tahunua001 · November 19, 2012, 02:19 PM

I've never been a fan of 2 tones except for black over OD. I always felt that stainless was a bit too flashy but when I went in to buy my concealed carry guns I walked out with a stainless SR9C. I've never had problems with mine since I pulled the mag disconnect so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the stainless model. still might prefer a black model just because it's less flashy.

ScotchMan · November 19, 2012, 03:15 PM

I chose the stainless and it was my carry gun for 6 months or so. I had no issues related to the finish, and the stainless grew on me. Now I think the black is ugly.

I think it makes little to no difference. The stainless might stand up to sweat better.

Xfire68 · November 19, 2012, 04:14 PM

I have the 2 tone and wish I bought the black version. The black version is stainless with a coating or treatment.

Roland Thunder · November 19, 2012, 04:26 PM

I don't have a SR9c, I have a Kahr PM9 in 2 tone. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten an all black one but they didn't have one at the time.

If I were getting an SR9c, I would choose the all black one, just better looking in my view.

breakingcontact · November 19, 2012, 05:06 PM

Why do the Ruger SR pistols that are blued look so different than most blued?

fallingrock71 · November 19, 2012, 05:55 PM

Thanks for all the input! I went to my favorite gun store today and the pretty young lady made up my mind for me. They had three of the black but no stainless. I got a little bit off because they didn't have a stainless in stock for me to fondle. I had pretty much decided on the black nitride anyways, but of course they didn't need to know that. Thanks again. I very much look forward to this one.

stantheman1976 · November 19, 2012, 08:11 PM

When I ordered mine I thought I was ordering the stainless but found out I had ordered the black by mistake. Turns out I actually it better. It blends in better for CC IMO.

zombietactics · November 20, 2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

... Stainless steel revolvers have been used for years as self defense pistols. ...

Some people still ride horses as their primary form of transportation, but that's hardly a great argument for something being especially good.

November 17, 2012, 01:28 PM	#1
fallingrock71 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: OK Posts: 109	SR9C brushed stainless or black nitride? I've decided to buy a SR9C for cc. I've never really liked the idea of having a shiny defensive handgun. However, I really like the looks of the brushed stainless finish on the SR9C. I would very much like to hear your pro's/cons of these two finishes on this particular handgun. Either one more durable or easier to maintain? Is it more or less just a personal preference? Just want more minds to bounce this off of before I decide. Thanks much! __________________ "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." ~Thomas Jefferson

November 17, 2012, 03:16 PM	#2
Mercenary Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 311	I don't have any experience with stainless slides but on my black (blued) guns the finish begins to show signs of holster wear over time. The FS M&P 9 and my Shield show it bad but my G17 seems to hold up a little better. I can't help but think a stainless slide wouldn't really show wear but I could be wrong. I vote stainless! __________________ "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson

November 17, 2012, 03:52 PM	#3
Seaman Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2011 Posts: 654	"I've never really liked the idea of having a shiny defensive handgun." Smart. Recall a car-jacking in Houston. Driver was shot dead. After the perp was caught police asked perp why he shot the driver. Perp said he saw a flash and blasted away. Driver was pulling a bright, shiny semi-auto pistol. Shiny guns are OK for collecting or for the range. For CCW duty a handgun should be blued/black. I have a couple of shiny (stainless steel) carry guns. Took a spray can of Rustoleum and painted them flat black. The only time an assailant should see a CC handgun is when the muzzle is smokin. My life is worth a can of spray paint. So is yours. Check your 6. __________________ For 20 years the sea was my home, always recall the sun going down, and my trusty friend, a 1911 pistol, strapped to my side.

November 18, 2012, 06:58 AM	#7
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	I have the all black version. I bought it not long after they came out and it still looks new after being in and out of a holster many times. I am not sure whether black, brown, green, pink, stainless, etc make any difference in a SD situation though. Either way is a good choice in my opinion. Enjoy! __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

November 18, 2012, 10:18 AM	#9
915A Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 464	Love my two tone! __________________ "I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it." Clint Eastwood

November 17, 2012, 10:07 PM	#4
Red Dog Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Posts: 217	Stainless steel revolvers have been used for years as self defense pistols. But to each his own.

November 17, 2012, 11:52 PM	#5
cheezhed Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Posts: 302	I have the stainless finish and like it. I do not know if a stainless finish will get you shot any faster than a blued gun as I think that in some instances the bad guys enjoy hurting someone and during the day a black gun may stand out as well as a bright one. I think just go with what you like the best.

November 18, 2012, 09:32 AM	#8
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	I'm partial to two-tone guns. I love my SR9c. Whether or not 'shiny' is a problem, who knows? Mine would be hidden until needed.

November 18, 2012, 08:00 PM	#10
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	I have the two tone SR9C but if I could have done it over I would have gone with the blued/black. At the time, I got it because stainless is easier to maintain but two tone just never really grew on me, especially with polymer framed pistols.

November 18, 2012, 10:15 PM	#11
Meditator Member Join Date: March 1, 2005 Posts: 92	I have both and like both.

November 18, 2012, 11:54 PM	#12
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	Black.

November 19, 2012, 01:06 AM	#13
Johnnymurad Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 135	I carry the black one all the time. Everything I buy is Ruger and blued... __________________ www.youtube.com/johnnymurad www.rev-tac.com

November 19, 2012, 02:19 PM	#14
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I've never been a fan of 2 tones except for black over OD. I always felt that stainless was a bit too flashy but when I went in to buy my concealed carry guns I walked out with a stainless SR9C. I've never had problems with mine since I pulled the mag disconnect so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the stainless model. still might prefer a black model just because it's less flashy. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

November 19, 2012, 03:15 PM	#15
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	I chose the stainless and it was my carry gun for 6 months or so. I had no issues related to the finish, and the stainless grew on me. Now I think the black is ugly. I think it makes little to no difference. The stainless might stand up to sweat better. __________________ Everyday Loadout NRA Instructor NRA Member

November 19, 2012, 04:14 PM	#16
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	I have the 2 tone and wish I bought the black version. The black version is stainless with a coating or treatment. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

November 19, 2012, 04:26 PM	#17
Roland Thunder Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Gwinnett County Georgia Posts: 1,136	I don't have a SR9c, I have a Kahr PM9 in 2 tone. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten an all black one but they didn't have one at the time. If I were getting an SR9c, I would choose the all black one, just better looking in my view. __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

November 19, 2012, 05:06 PM	#18
breakingcontact Junior member Join Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 736	Why do the Ruger SR pistols that are blued look so different than most blued?

November 19, 2012, 05:55 PM	#19
fallingrock71 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: OK Posts: 109	Thanks for all the input! I went to my favorite gun store today and the pretty young lady made up my mind for me. They had three of the black but no stainless. I got a little bit off because they didn't have a stainless in stock for me to fondle. I had pretty much decided on the black nitride anyways, but of course they didn't need to know that. Thanks again. I very much look forward to this one. __________________ "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." ~Thomas Jefferson

November 19, 2012, 08:11 PM	#20
stantheman1976 Member Join Date: March 8, 2012 Location: Gautier, MS Posts: 92	When I ordered mine I thought I was ordering the stainless but found out I had ordered the black by mistake. Turns out I actually it better. It blends in better for CC IMO.