Best Hard Chrome finishing company?

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Mastrogiacomo

New member
Hello,

I've got a Sig 228 that I'd like to have the slide and barrel only hard chromed. Years ago I had a wonderful company to turn to with Tripp but they're no longer in the business of gun finishes. Who does the best job at the best prices for Hard Chrome now? Thank you.

Laura
 
D

dwwhite

New member
Mahovskys Metalife

He does hard chrome or a Metalife finish for extremely reasonable prices. Honestly, I'm not sure about the differences between the two finishes.

Some folks have complained about poor communication and/or customer service, however, my experience was excellent. I recently had a very abused S&W 19 metalifed, and couldn't be happier. I called twice during the process and was answered promptly and politely both times.

Also, his prices are significantly lower than anybody else I could find. Total turnaround was around 3 weeks iirc.
 
S

Sharkbite

New member
Hands down.... Robar

Robbie redid the finish on a 1911 i was training/teaching with. I had worn the finish off completely.

He did it NP3 on the frame and roguard on the top. Nice 2 tone job. His NP3 is just AWESOME
 
W

WC145

New member
NP3 is a great finish but it isn't hard chrome, HC is much harder and more durable.

I also had Mahovsky's put their Metalife hard chrome on an old revolver recently and they did a nice job at a very reasonable price. I have a couple of.guns that were Armoloyed 30+ years ago and they have held up incredibly well. I believe Armoloy is still around.
 
C

ClydeFrog

Moderator
My picks....

For hard chrome, grey-silver protective treatments, Id offer these suggestions;
Robar NP3+, www.RobarGuns.com Bob Cogan's Accurate Plating & Weaponry: www.APWCogan.com and Metalife, www.MahovskysMetalife.com .
Some like Ford's but other TFL topics say the business may be hard to contact.

I've purchased the NP3 treatment in the past(surplus Beretta 96D). I also bought a "police special" Beretta 96D .40S&W in the mid 1990s that had 03 NP3 pistol magazines & the NP3 treatment. It had 0 problems & was easy to clean.

The Metalife system is a value for a polymer pistol like a Glock or M&P. It's about $78.00 USD with $10.00 for each pistol mag. This is for the upper part(barrel, slide, etc).
Cogan's shop offers nickel, hard chrome, Cerakote.
 
D

Dfariswheel

New member
Here's the top hard chrome plates who are experts in plating firearms.
Some have trade or brand names for the plating, but it's all hard chrome.

Each offers different options, with final finishes ranging from the original "orange peel" satin gray, to a brushed stainless steel look, to a full mirror polish.

http://www.apwcogan.com/
Arguably the best all around gun refinisher.

http://www.fordsguns.com/

http://www.armoloyftworth.com/Armoloy_WebDevelopment/Web_Pages/Firearms_Applications.htm
Offers plating inside bores and chambers. Some other platers question how good this is, since it's not like a standard hard chrome lined barrel.

http://www.originalmetaloy.com/

http://techplate.com/specchart1rev.htm
Top industrial and gun finishes.

http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/

http://www.elitecustomguns.com/index1.htm
 
M

Mastrogiacomo

New member
Why doesn't Accurate plating not offer pictures of their gun finishes? It's a little frustrating not to be able to see their work.
 
L

lamarw

New member
I have a Colt Official Police off currently for a Nickel refinish with Mahovsky's. He is wonderful to communicate with, and I should have my revolver back by the end of the month. His price was $150.00 for the revolver plus $18.00 return shipping. He quoted thirty days for the work. I compared it with Fords in Crestview, FL. They quoted three hundred dollars and five months turn-around.

Go to the Mahovsky's Web-Site for more details on finishes and price quotes.

I can only hope at this point I am pleased with their work. :)
 
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Shadi Khalil

New member
Just wondering. .. is this for appearance or durability? I ask cause I've found Sigs Nitron finish to be the toughest I've ever had on a gun. The Sig I've been carrying on and off (back on again) for almost 10 shows very little wear. Again, I'm just curious. I personally think the two tone look on a Sig looks great.
 
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lamarw

New member
In my case with the Colt Official Police revolver it is about appearance since it came from the factory in 1943 with a nickel finish. The nickel finish was less common on this particular revolver. Although a nickel finish is also a protective finish.
 
C

ClydeFrog

Moderator
Chuck Taylor....

Gunwriter & tactics trainer; "Chuck Taylor" has stated in a few articles that he considers the Metalife system to be one of the best for after-market firearm coatings or treatments. He said it holds up well with extended carry & protects the pistol from the elements.
 
D

dwwhite

New member
For those who wanted it, here's a pic of Mahovsky's Metalife finish, albeit on a revolver.
I wish I had the foresight to take a before pic, it had minor pitting and a "duracote" finish that I'm pretty sure was black gloss krylon.

It basically has the look of matte stainless now, and in fact, I've had more than one person tell me it's a mod 66 and not a 19. I've been pleased with the durability and the cleanability. You'll notice that the finishing process did not affect the front sight insert. Seemingly, it did not affect any of the tolerances either, as advertised.

Sorry for the poor quality picture, but it's what I've got. Suffice to say its much better in person and I'm a fan.

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M

Mastrogiacomo

New member
Nice pic, thank you. To answer the question from one of the folks that asked, I'm partial to the two tone look without the two tone price. The Sig finish is durable but I like how it looks. It's great hearing from people about who's "da man" now that Tripp is no longer providing this service.;)
 
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Hurryin' Hoosier

New member
I've had Ron Mahovsky hard chrome ("Metalife", as he calls it) three different pistols and was happy as a clam with all three of them. He would definitely have my vote!
 
W

WESHOOT2

New member
had some other finishes, too

I currently have one hardchromed at Accurate Plating & Weaponry (1995) and one NP3d at Robar (1997).

I have no concerns about appearance; I am concerned with rust prevention and function reliability ONLY.

I prefer NP3.



My 'chromed gun has over 100K through it; the Robar'd gun probably only has 70--90K.
I am not much for maintenance......
 
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