Should I invest in hard chrome?

Vinnie Harold · April 19, 2010, 03:05 PM

Hi!

I recently ordered a pistol from STI, and one of the options is to hard chrome the gun. It comes with a matte blue finish, and for $300, they will coat it in hard chrome.

I have been doing some reading on this forum, and I still have not found a solid reason to go for this option. I was put off by something I read that the hard chrome scratches or scuffs easily, and once that happens, all the beauty that you bought the chrome for, is GONE!

Is this true? Is there a reason for the hard chrome finish over the matte blue other than is really looks sexy in hard chrome?

Any opinions will be welcomed.

Thanks

Vinnie

mete · April 19, 2010, 04:16 PM

Hard chrome is VERY hard very corrosion resistant ,very durable !! Any "info" that's contrary to this is BS !

cwok · April 19, 2010, 04:23 PM

I'm normally kinda 'iffy' about adding a corrosion/wear resistant finish to a firearm; mostly because its expensive and you yourself will probably have to detail strip the weapon and remove all wood/plastic as well as any type of metal that won't take the new finish.
To avoid that, I either anticipate shooting/cleaning it enough to not worry; or I buy stainless.

BUT -- If STI Is building your weapon and they do the Chrome Job while building it --- I'd be very tempted --- and then I'd say Yes.

oldandslow · April 19, 2010, 05:33 PM

vinnie, 4/20/10

I live in the tropics and have a problem with my blued pistols rusting, especially the ones I carry and sweat on. My solution was getting them hard chromed (7 pistols so far). The hard chrome finish is very durable and there has been no problem with scratching or rusting. The price you have been quoted seems a bit high to me. I have had mine done at Techplate in California (www.techplate.com) and have been pleased with the price and service- I usually have my pistols back within three weeks of my mailing them out. Check out their website and prices, and if you have any questions email them addressed to Marshall- he has always been very helpful.

best wishes- oldandslow

Slamfire · April 19, 2010, 05:42 PM

If you want a shiny gun, get one in stainless. You can polish out scratches.

Hard chrome is a more durable finish than bluing.

WESHOOT2 · April 20, 2010, 07:57 AM

Do it.

Hunter Customs · April 21, 2010, 08:32 AM

The $300.00 sounds high to me.
Hardchrome is a very tough and durable finish, it's around 72 RC, it does not scratch or scuff easily.
Also keep in mind that harchrome is a transparent finish so metal prep is very important.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Dis-1-Shooter · April 21, 2010, 05:15 PM

A shooting buddy and I just order guns from STI. My Edge is blued while his Executive is hard chrome. I wish I got my with hard chrome!!!!!!! Enough said.

Maleman · April 23, 2010, 01:08 PM

I have two pistols done in hard chrome. One came that way. The other I sent off to have done. Neither has a scratch on them. Hard chrome or SS is the way to go as far as i'm concerned. I like my toys to remain as pristine as possible.

Hunter Customs · April 23, 2010, 10:18 PM

This custom 9mm longslide was hardchromed by Metaloy Industries,Inc it's held up very well.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

April 19, 2010, 03:05 PM	#1
Vinnie Harold Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2009 Posts: 115	Should I invest in hard chrome? Hi! I recently ordered a pistol from STI, and one of the options is to hard chrome the gun. It comes with a matte blue finish, and for $300, they will coat it in hard chrome. I have been doing some reading on this forum, and I still have not found a solid reason to go for this option. I was put off by something I read that the hard chrome scratches or scuffs easily, and once that happens, all the beauty that you bought the chrome for, is GONE! Is this true? Is there a reason for the hard chrome finish over the matte blue other than is really looks sexy in hard chrome? Any opinions will be welcomed. Thanks Vinnie

April 19, 2010, 04:23 PM	#3
cwok Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Posts: 316	Hard Chrome I'm normally kinda 'iffy' about adding a corrosion/wear resistant finish to a firearm; mostly because its expensive and you yourself will probably have to detail strip the weapon and remove all wood/plastic as well as any type of metal that won't take the new finish. To avoid that, I either anticipate shooting/cleaning it enough to not worry; or I buy stainless. BUT -- If STI Is building your weapon and they do the Chrome Job while building it --- I'd be very tempted --- and then I'd say Yes.

April 20, 2010, 07:57 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Do it. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

April 19, 2010, 04:16 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Hard chrome is VERY hard very corrosion resistant ,very durable !! Any "info" that's contrary to this is BS !

April 19, 2010, 05:33 PM	#4
oldandslow Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2007 Posts: 641	vinnie, 4/20/10 I live in the tropics and have a problem with my blued pistols rusting, especially the ones I carry and sweat on. My solution was getting them hard chromed (7 pistols so far). The hard chrome finish is very durable and there has been no problem with scratching or rusting. The price you have been quoted seems a bit high to me. I have had mine done at Techplate in California (www.techplate.com) and have been pleased with the price and service- I usually have my pistols back within three weeks of my mailing them out. Check out their website and prices, and if you have any questions email them addressed to Marshall- he has always been very helpful. best wishes- oldandslow

April 19, 2010, 05:42 PM	#5
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	If you want a shiny gun, get one in stainless. You can polish out scratches. Hard chrome is a more durable finish than bluing.

April 21, 2010, 08:32 AM	#7
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	The $300.00 sounds high to me. Hardchrome is a very tough and durable finish, it's around 72 RC, it does not scratch or scuff easily. Also keep in mind that harchrome is a transparent finish so metal prep is very important. Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

April 21, 2010, 05:15 PM	#8
Dis-1-Shooter Member Join Date: February 25, 2010 Posts: 47	A shooting buddy and I just order guns from STI. My Edge is blued while his Executive is hard chrome. I wish I got my with hard chrome!!!!!!! Enough said.

April 23, 2010, 01:08 PM	#9
Maleman Member Join Date: September 3, 2000 Location: Stamford Ct. Posts: 52	I have two pistols done in hard chrome. One came that way. The other I sent off to have done. Neither has a scratch on them. Hard chrome or SS is the way to go as far as i'm concerned. I like my toys to remain as pristine as possible.

April 23, 2010, 10:18 PM	#10
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	This custom 9mm longslide was hardchromed by Metaloy Industries,Inc it's held up very well. Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com