Custom Rifle Finishes

[skydiver386]

Currently, I have an assembly line of various rifles under construction. I'd like to find a dark black finish that is long lasting and doesn't look painted on, like dura coat, etc.

Nothing against bead blasting and hot tank blueing, or rust blue finishes, but it's like pulling teeth to find someone to do that type of work.

Have any of you had a Nitride or Melonite finish that you were happy with, or should I look at something else?

 

[USMA84DAB]

I needed to write this request as well - very keen to hear any responses that you receive!!!!

 

[Mekaniks]

Black nitride

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Too bad you're having trouble finding someone to blue your guns. I found a moose hunting guide in New Brunswick who does hot black oxide bluing in the off season. He did fantastic job restorating my sporterized Springfield 03A3 and then my 404J I built on 98 Mauser. Best part is he's very reasonable. Only about $150 each (Canadian = ~$120 US and including return shipping but excluding bluing the bolts which would be more). I prepped the metal for him which probably also cut the cost. Great guy to deal with but he can be busy during hunting season so can't be in a hurry for turnaround.
Here's the before and after Mauser.

And the Springfield.

 

[BANDF]

Nitride can definitely offer a really nice deep black. Alternatively, there's some Cerakote finishes that look extremely close to deep rich bluing.

 

[450 Dakota]

Cummings Custom Refinishing

 

[Wildwillalaska]

All of John Rigby & Co.’s Highland Stalker and Big Game rifles are plasma nitride coated. I’ve drug my 416 around a bit now, with stock showing some use, but the metal finish looks absolutely new. I think they nailed the finish (whether Mauser or them) as its appearance is nothing like cerecoat or other nitride finishes. Really does look closer to bluing just way more durable and corrosion resistant. If I were building a custom wood stocked gun presently, a semi-polished nitride finish is what I’d lean lean into for sure.

Repurposed photo from fellow double rifle society member’s trip to Rigby from Facebook.

 

[roklok]

I really like Black Ice's PFTE coating. A nice satin black, and it looks and feels so much better than Cerakote in my opinion.

PFTE/Black Ice - Black Ice Coatings ®

Now you can enjoy the benefit of Black Ice Coatings® on your favorite firearms. Black Ice is actually a substance called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is considered to be the most slippery substance that exists. Its nonstick properties have transcended the kitchen, and is widely used in...

blackicecoatings.com

Here is a video I did showing a Browning Auto 5 I had done:

 

[skydiver386]

All of John Rigby & Co.’s Highland Stalker and Big Game rifles are plasma nitride coated. I’ve drug my 416 around a bit now, with stock showing some use, but the metal finish looks absolutely new. I think they nailed the finish (whether Mauser or them) as its appearance is nothing like cerecoat or other nitride finishes. Really does look closer to bluing just way more durable and corrosion resistant. If I were building a custom wood stocked gun presently, a semi-polished nitride finish is what I’d lean lean into for sure.

Repurposed photo from fellow double rifle society member’s trip to Rigby from Facebook.

View attachment 713229

It looks like ke a semi-gloss blue.

 

[cajunchefray]

It looks like ke a semi-gloss blue.

Anyone has recent experience with Birdsong Black -T?
I. Handled one several years ago at a local gun show (Berreta M92) , very nice.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Currently, I have an assembly line of various rifles under construction. I'd like to find a dark black finish that is long lasting and doesn't look painted on, like dura coat, etc.

Nothing against bead blasting and hot tank blueing, or rust blue finishes, but it's like pulling teeth to find someone to do that type of work.

Have any of you had a Nitride or Melonite finish that you were happy with, or should I look at something else?

@skydiver386
Cerokote seems to be a popular finish nowadays and comes in a myriad of colours.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I really like Black Ice's PFTE coating. A nice satin black, and it looks and feels so much better than Cerakote in my opinion.

PFTE/Black Ice - Black Ice Coatings ®

Now you can enjoy the benefit of Black Ice Coatings® on your favorite firearms. Black Ice is actually a substance called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is considered to be the most slippery substance that exists. Its nonstick properties have transcended the kitchen, and is widely used in...

blackicecoatings.com

Here is a video I did showing a Browning Auto 5 I had done:

@roklok
That has to be the shortest humpback barrel I have ever seen. I bet it's in mean SOB to shoot, she would be one noisy little mother.
What choke is it now or did you get it threaded for choke tubes.
Bob

 

[Rifleman97]

I’ll never go cerakote again. It’s not a durable finish and it’s not easily repairable.

Nitride all the way, BUT don’t nitride a new barrel, give it at least 30-50 shots before you do. Nitride improves the barrel life measurably, by if there’s any burrs in your throat from chambering they’re gonna be there a lot longer, and when they do break off they leave bare untreated beneath.

Get the burrs off, then nitride. Rust proof, WAY more durable than cerakote, looks better than cerakote (provided you have a good metal prep) and it can even look great from a bead blasted barrel.

I don’t own a nitrided barrel right now and I’m not sure I can find the pics of the last one I had. But I will be doing it again. I’ve got a Winchester that’s been cerakoted and eventually it’s going to need to be stripped and redone as it’s got a ton of dings in it and it’s flaked off in a couple small places. But mostly it looks good from a distance and up close it just looks VERY cheap.

Downsides of nitride is there’s pretty much no “undo” button for it, no way to remove it if you decide you don’t like the look. It’s also a hardening treatment and I’ve seen people complain that it scratches easily, but it doesn’t. Often what look like scratches is actually what “scratched it” rubbing off on it, and with a rag it cleans right up. It’s not a perfect finish but it’s a lot better in function than blueing, albeit I admit real looks better to my eyes.

 

[Rifleman97]

Here’s some picture proof of wear, these dings on the action cerakote are literally just from ejecting cases bouncing off of the back of the receiver.