Boron carbide update?

AndABeer · June 24, 2002, 12:40 PM

I have been seriously considering this finish when my newest aquistion arrives next week. Just wondering if the finish is holding up and what problems have been IDed, if any.

CWL · June 24, 2002, 03:41 PM

A guy over at the Cult of the P7 site has had one on his P7M8 for 2 months, Looks beautiful, seem to initially wear like HC, but it's still too early to tell.

http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/ub...;f=10;t=001894

RickB · June 24, 2002, 06:03 PM

Bodycote has been refining their process, and they are currently undercoating the boron carbide with something to provide better corrosion resistance. I had my gun coated in January, and was told earlier this month that I could return it for recoating using the latest process.
The only apparent wear on my gun is in areas where two bc-coated surfaces rub against each other. For instance, there is absolutely no evidence of holster wear, but there is a small bright spot where the slide stop (1911 pistol) rubs against the frame. No wear at all where the (uncoated) barrel lower lugs cam over the slide stop pin, but wear on the hammer where the slide rides over it. This wear is not normal, according to Ann at Bodycote, and she didn't hesitate to offer to recoat it.

Incursion · June 24, 2002, 07:22 PM

They have invested in the machinery to put a chromium nitrate and a tungsten carbide coating underneath the boron carbide.

tonerguy · June 24, 2002, 07:57 PM

Where do you send your gun to get it coated? At one time I heard you had to send it through selected dealers/gunsmiths.

What's the current situation and cost?

RickB · June 25, 2002, 12:13 PM

Last I heard, "civilians" (non-FFL) had to send their gun to the Colorado School of Trades. A gunsmith at the school inspects the gun, disassembles it, sends it to Bodycote where it is coated, then upon return he inspects it again (test fires?), then returns it to the owner. The middle man adds $100. Bodycote will apparently still accept guns directly from FFLs, but they must be already prepped (polished, bead-blasted) and disassembled.

Hemicuda · June 25, 2002, 04:28 PM

I wonder if this is the SAME EXACT "BodyKote" that I drive past on Haggerty Rd. in Canton, MI, every day on my way to work...

Incursion · June 25, 2002, 05:55 PM

I believe they are located in Greensboro, NC.

Actually, they do have a facility in Canton, MI, but it's a thermal processing facility. Their metallurgical coating facility is in NC.

Hemicuda · June 25, 2002, 06:39 PM

aah, so I could get a gun cryogenically treated here in Canton, but it has to go to NC to be coated... ok...

June 24, 2002, 12:40 PM	#1
AndABeer Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2000 Location: Lakeland, TN Posts: 1,622	Boron carbide update? I have been seriously considering this finish when my newest aquistion arrives next week. Just wondering if the finish is holding up and what problems have been IDed, if any.

June 24, 2002, 07:57 PM	#5
tonerguy Member Join Date: May 19, 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 90	So, do you send your gun to them directly? Where do you send your gun to get it coated? At one time I heard you had to send it through selected dealers/gunsmiths. What's the current situation and cost?

June 24, 2002, 03:41 PM	#2
CWL Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,576	A guy over at the Cult of the P7 site has had one on his P7M8 for 2 months, Looks beautiful, seem to initially wear like HC, but it's still too early to tell. http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/ub...;f=10;t=001894

June 24, 2002, 06:03 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,559	Bodycote has been refining their process, and they are currently undercoating the boron carbide with something to provide better corrosion resistance. I had my gun coated in January, and was told earlier this month that I could return it for recoating using the latest process. The only apparent wear on my gun is in areas where two bc-coated surfaces rub against each other. For instance, there is absolutely no evidence of holster wear, but there is a small bright spot where the slide stop (1911 pistol) rubs against the frame. No wear at all where the (uncoated) barrel lower lugs cam over the slide stop pin, but wear on the hammer where the slide rides over it. This wear is not normal, according to Ann at Bodycote, and she didn't hesitate to offer to recoat it.

June 24, 2002, 07:22 PM	#4
Incursion Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2000 Location: TX Posts: 803	They have invested in the machinery to put a chromium nitrate and a tungsten carbide coating underneath the boron carbide.

June 25, 2002, 12:13 PM	#6
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,559	Last I heard, "civilians" (non-FFL) had to send their gun to the Colorado School of Trades. A gunsmith at the school inspects the gun, disassembles it, sends it to Bodycote where it is coated, then upon return he inspects it again (test fires?), then returns it to the owner. The middle man adds $100. Bodycote will apparently still accept guns directly from FFLs, but they must be already prepped (polished, bead-blasted) and disassembled.

June 25, 2002, 04:28 PM	#7
Hemicuda Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,757	I wonder if this is the SAME EXACT "BodyKote" that I drive past on Haggerty Rd. in Canton, MI, every day on my way to work...

June 25, 2002, 05:55 PM	#8
Incursion Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2000 Location: TX Posts: 803	I believe they are located in Greensboro, NC. Actually, they do have a facility in Canton, MI, but it's a thermal processing facility. Their metallurgical coating facility is in NC.

June 25, 2002, 06:39 PM	#9
Hemicuda Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,757	aah, so I could get a gun cryogenically treated here in Canton, but it has to go to NC to be coated... ok...