NP3 finish from Robar - Opinions???

I had NP3 on an ORM Colt 1991, and didn't care for it. All the gunwriters describe it as a 'handsome battleship grey', but to me it looked an ugly yellow. It was very slick, which made weapon manipulation difficult with a smooth frontstrap. It is relatively soft for a metallic finish, and seemed to scratch easily. It is also very expensive compared to a good hard chrome job. Bottom line for me is I wouldn't do it again. If I needed a gun with a more durable, rust-resistant finish than blue I would probably go with hard chrome.

Thanks Sparky...it's good to hear real-world experience vs. marketing hype on websites and gun magazines.

I've never had NP3 on a gun, but from what I've heard about it, it sounds like it may be a good choice on the internals, where it can impart a great slickness to functioning. On the other hand, hard chrome is great on internals and much more durable than pretty much anything else.

I agree with other posters about Hard Chrome, I think it's King for durability on a gun that see a lot of use and it looks great too.

My NP3 guns are grey. It's a slick, durable finish. As near as I can tell, the hype is all true.
However, since this thread is really about NP3, and not Colts, I'm moving it.

The only gun I've ever had that had the np3 looked great but the holster gave it polish marks right from the start. How durable it is, I can't say, because I sold it not too long after I started using it.

Hard chrome will get the same polish marks eventually but IMO it appears to be tougher than np3.

I have 3 guns np3ed.
a 38 super racegun, 45 limited, and a high power. they all are grey, and were finished years apart.
yes it is slick, and I put skate board tape where ever I need to grip it. I've also heard that its soft, but you would never convince me of that. the super and the 45 have gone thru thousands of draw in dry fire, practices, and matches. because I'm lazy, I usually don't wipe my guns down after I'm done with them, and the finish has held up fine.

also I used to belong to the comp of the month club, the first time I change it, I heated the comp which was finished in np3, with a torch to melt the lock tite. when I was done, the finish was black and sooty. after 5 minutes of rubbing it with flitz, you'd never know what I did to it.

of course ymmv

Np3

I had Robar NP3 a Kahr 9. Being used to hardchrome I wasn't impressed with how NP3 held up. I am a bit rough on things though.

MY guns = function only

I have my premier Caspian 1911 NP3'd; I have my premier 9x19 Witness hardchromed.

NP3 is slick, but my gun is checkered front-n-rear.
NP3 means absolutely no rust; hardchrome might (like mine).
NP3 is electroless nickel, certainly hard enough.

(Other than I wanna get oneamy 1911's gold plated) someday all my guns, including my wheels, will be NP3'd.

I consider it the best finish for almost any application.

Shootcraps,
Can you repost your picture? All I can see is a little slit at the top of the picture, and what I can see is intriguing. Thanks.

Rather than have him repost the picture, which displays fine for me, why don't you try clicking here. I suspect what ever your problem with viewing the image is, it won't be helped by him reposting it.

Thanks Tim. sgist, I emailed you a link for the picture.

np3

i had a very beat up beretta centurion np3'd it looks siver on the slide and grey on the frame. the robar people said it was about 48 to 50 rockwell. i like the looks of it better than both my stainless trophy match and commander. it was expensive but cheaper than a factory refinish ($275) for paint and hardcoat.

I have NP3 on two 1911's and all of my carry magazines. My guns are both grey and look good. As for hard chrome, it makes the gun brittle. I've broken two extractors and cracked a Colt frame with hard chrome.

GTC-554 said:

I have NP3 on two 1911's and all of my carry magazines. My guns are both grey and look good. As for hard chrome, it makes the gun brittle. I've broken two extractors and cracked a Colt frame with hard chrome.

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Who did the chrome job on your Colt?