anti-stainless?

2137 Views 15 Replies 13 Participants Last post by PK, Oct 18, 2001

chadth

Discussion Starter · Oct 17, 2001

I am new to guns in general and while doing my due diligence looking for my first gun, I have noticed some anti-stainless finish sediment amongst long time handgun owners. Is this because stainless is considered “flashy”? hard to conceal? Just trying to understand where this comes from.

Thanks for the help,
-Chad

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Rosco Benson

· #2 · Oct 17, 2001

Stainless can be harder to work with. Some gunsmiths charge a premium for working on stainless guns. Of course, one saves on finishing.

Rosco

dsk

· #3 · Oct 17, 2001

It's mostly old myths. The first stainless steels used in guns had a high friction coefficient and were prone to seizing up and/or galling. Those problems were basically licked a long time ago. It's still not a good idea to run slides and frames super-tight, but that's it. Some others say lube the surfaces well, but I haven't found it necessary to use any more or different lube than a carbon steel gun.

Regarding flashiness, it's personal opinion. Ninjas like dull guns, as do the military when there is the tactical need to sneak up on people. Some others want a black gun depending on their method of carry, in order to help hide the gun from casual observers better. Others (such as me) prefer a nice, bright, big-ass .45 for home defense in order to let an intruder actually SEE what he's in for.

------------------
D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1

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chadth

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 17, 2001

I am all about an intruder/attacker seeing a big ass shinny the gun. Would much rather see the back of them as they ran then watch them take a bullet. But if they are still around after hearing a slide rack or a pump of a shotgun, shinny may not make a difference.

Good point and thanks for the feedback.

-Chad

TangoRomeo

· #5 · Oct 17, 2001

Howdy Chad,

I really haven't noticed any particular anti-stainless sentiment, but then again, my wife says I could stumble over a concrete block and not notice it. At any rate, for most of us who do not carry a handgun in the performance of our jobs, I think it's just a matter of personal choice. My personal opinion is that a nicely blued gun is a thing of beauty. So why have I purchased stainless handguns the last three out of four times? Well, they're pretty darned nice to.!-TR

Wit

· #6 · Oct 18, 2001

All my revolvers are SS, they look nice and require less maintenance on the finish. But when it comes to semi-auto, for some how, I can't stand the flashy finish on the slide.

Don't get me wrong, I do have a 2 toned 1911 with blued slide and SS frame, of course.

shooter452

· #7 · Oct 18, 2001

I have both, and have no preference as to esthetics, but since I like IWB holsters, and sweat like an Arkansas hog in warm weather, guess what I carry most of the time?

As far as my duty gun, I like stainless for the same reason, since it's exposed to the elements all the time. Besides, the stainless makes the bore look bigger from the business end, and usually, thats a GOOD thing!

George Smith

· #8 · Oct 18, 2001

I will disagree

Leave a squib in your barrel, shoot one behind it (we see it, but don't recomend it

)
if the barrel is ss, it splits from end to end, carbon barrel rings and thats all.
fit a ramped barrel wrong, if ss the feet shear off clean! (again not recomended)
ever seen an ss barrel lightly gaul where the barrel is stamped on the top to the inside of the slide?

2 mo's ago put a ss ST /SV gun together, tight gun, gauled in the process 3 times.
have had tight colts with ss slides and carbon frames gaul also (tight gun Yes,
but if they were carbon no problem at all)

two manufactures now have had slides break clean off in ss, several (not picking on anyone but it is a reality)

Personal choice
Carbon (4340 in particular) and hard chrome.
geo ><>

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RikWriter

· #9 · Oct 18, 2001

I definitely prefer stainless. The only handguns I own that is not stainless are my Glock and USP.

------------------
A man with a watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches isn't so sure

Denbo

· #10 · Oct 18, 2001

dsk,
Did you notice your post counter?

papa g

· #11 · Oct 18, 2001

i, being of another generation. i still prefer the looks of blue steel and wood grips. i 'm just a throw back. also like cars that have massive chrome bumpers and you step into rather than flop down into.

Mark IV Series 80

· #12 · Oct 18, 2001

Galling is an issue when using Corrosion REsistant Steel (AKA stainless) in sliding contact with CRES of the same type.

I hear that Colt uses different types of CRES for the frame, barrel and slide.

In many thousands of rounds through my stainless Colt, I have not experienced any galling. I use Tetra-Gun Grease on the rails and locking lugs, and Break-Free CLP everywhere else.

I wouldn't be concerned with galling with a stainless Colt.

-Mk.IV

dsk

· #13 · Oct 18, 2001

Originally posted by Denbo:
dsk,
Did you notice your post counter?

Ya, I tried to savor it as long as I could by not posting. I simply kept coming back just to look at it. Oooooooooooooooh. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Okay, back to work on the forum!

------------------
D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1

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Roverman

· #14 · Oct 18, 2001

Carbon and hard chrome......

Why use metal that is functionally inferior (i.e. SS….. no offense to anyone) when you don’t have to ?

RikWriter

· #15 · Oct 18, 2001

Originally posted by Roverman:
Carbon and hard chrome......

Why use metal that is functionally inferior (i.e. SS….. no offense to anyone) when you don’t have to ?

Because it isn't.

------------------
A man with a watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches isn't so sure

PK

· #16 · Oct 18, 2001

From what I understand(i.e. I'm not a metalurgist and don't play one internet gun forums) most stainless used in firearms, while slightly more resistant to rust, is somewhat softer than most carbon steel used. As such, I'll go with what's been said before, carbon and hard-chrome and end up with something that's more rust resistant than stainless anyway.

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