To plate or Not to plate???

[Rog]

I've got a blued Encore that I'm considering having it SSK chromed or perhaps nickel plated by someone.

I really wanted a stainless frame, but the deal was too good to pass up.

So, I just want to know how many of you have had your frame/gun/barrel plated, what plating did you go with, and would you do anything any different?

I have personally took two Encore frames apart and plated one myself using a product from Brownells (teflon/moly - cured in the kitchen oven....), and the other one got 'Carltonized' (in reference to my last name....) with some good ole enamel paint (Rustoleum in fact).

They both accomplished what I wanted, which was offer a higher level of rust resistance to normal handling (ie - oils, etc, from the hands and from hunting in the elements...).  However, neither coating was real durable - the Brownells Teflon/Moly was much much better than the Rustoleum paint - so I would like to do something to this one that will still look good in several years.

I also want to do this and get the best value for my dollar.

Thanks.
Rog

[spinafish]

EA Brown offers a finish they call French Grey that looks pretty good..

[Rog]

Yeah, I'm aware of the French Grey that EA Brown offers.  Does this coating stand up as good as SSK's chrome?

[Bim]

Check this guy out from what I understand he does great work.
http://www.thegungarage.com/

[SD Handgunner]

A few years ago I had a couple Contender Barrels Hard Chrome Plated by a company called Metaloy. This was a Satin Finish Hard Chrome, and turned out quite good. Would I do it again, probably. Would I do it to a frame, I'd probably try to trade frames for a Stainless-Steel version (but then that's just me).

I did a little research before I had my Barrel Metaloy Plated, and a machinist buddy of mine told me that in his opinion any Hard Chrome Plating should be better than any Nicel Plating. I do not know too much about the subject, and took his word for it.

Larry