What's your finish preference?

[Daven]

Blued or Stainless Steel?

Having only owned Sig's I have only had Blued. Now since I am hoping my next gun is a Kimber Pro Carry II, should I get Blued or SS?

What is your preference? I know it's a personal opinion, just checking.

[Pokey]

Why would somebody conceal or carry a stainless pistol or revolver, unless that is all you have?

[lukem]

Good thread. I added a poll as well.

Why would somebody conceal or carry a stainless pistol or revolver, unless that is all you have?

I personally prefer blued but if it is concealed then does it matter if its stainless?

[NMHunter]

Blued or Stainless Steel?

Having only owned Sig's I have only had Blued. Now since I am hoping my next gun is a Kimber Pro Carry II, should I get Blued or SS?

What is your preference? I know it's a personal opinion, just checking.

Sorry to disappoint you. Sig has only had stainless guns for the last 30+ years. Take a look at the slide and you will see the word "STAINLESS" in small letters. The frame is aluminum.

I carry both depending on which gun I pick for that day. The blue just require a little more care, especially in Summer.

[Islander]

I prefer whatever is the most durable and care absolutely nothing about looks. This is serious stuff, and I want something that works. If there is an issue with the finish being too visible, I'll paint the gun.

Tenifer is fantastically durable and corrosion resistant, which is one reason I like Glocks. It also has low reflectivity, enhancing concealment. My little blued LCP seems to be pretty corrosion resistant as well, except the barrel will get a little rusty if I don't keep it oiled.

Oh! So my answer is "Tenifer", which is definitely NOT blued or stainless.

[lukem]

I prefer whatever is the most durable and care absolutely nothing about looks. This is serious stuff, and I want something that works. If there is an issue with the finish being too visible, I'll paint the gun.

Tenifer is fantastically durable and corrosion resistant, which is one reason I like Glocks. It also has low reflectivity, enhancing concealment. My little blued LCP seems to be pretty corrosion resistant as well, except the barrel will get a little rusty if I don't keep it oiled.

Oh! So my answer is "Tenifer", which is definitely NOT blued or stainless.

Tenifer has been added.

[homershoots]

Is parkerized the same as tenifer?

[calvin]

Is parkerized the same as tenifer?

No sir it is not. Tenifer is one of several ferritic nitrocarburizing finishes that happens to be a brand name. Melonite is very similar, there are others as well.

I know a lot of folks like NP3 coating on their AR internals for easy cleaning and as a glock owner I'm definitely a fan of the tenifer.

[lukem]

Just added a few more options. Got any more to add?

[cnyeargin]

Why would somebody conceal or carry a stainless pistol or revolver, unless that is all you have?

Stainless will hold up much better than blued as a CC if you carry everyday.
Have been CC since 2000 and have run into holster wear problems on blued,
S&W and rust spots due to sweat in underarm rig.
Any scuff or light wear marks,can be buffed out with polishing compound,
after gun has been cleaned. Stainless is also a harder metal and will with,
stand tuffer cond. in the field.