Question on Parkerized Finish

[doki_j]

Folks, I'm considering a new finish on my baby but having second thoughts lately on losing the original parkerized finish that comes with my M1991A1. Can somebody share info on key advantages of Colt's parkerized finish over other finishes? Your thoughts are most appreciated. thanks in advance

[bullturkey]

There are really only two reasons for any gun finish . 1st- protection. 2nd asthetics. What you do not state is what am I expecting from the finish on my gun. Protection from extreme elements or pimp the bling.

[doki_j]

Thanks bullturkey for the quick reply. Actually, I'm more particular of protection than aesthetic value.

[wjkuleck]

Thanks bullturkey for the quick reply. Actually, I'm more particular of protection than aesthetic value.

Parkerizing was originally a proprietary process of the Parker Company; it was adopted as the standard protective coating for steel for US small arms in 1918, and remains the standard to today.

Parkerizing, or phosphating (zinc or manganese), creates a matrix on the surface of the steel which accepts and retains protectants such as oil and grease. The protectant is what keeps atmospheric oxygen, water vapor, and liquid water away from the steel proper.

Parkerizng is a pretty durable coating, but its intended to be a "sponge" for protectants rather than a protectant itself. Parkerizing has stood the test of time in a way no other coating or finish has had the opportunity to demonstrate.

On the down side, it's not particularly attractive :) .

Regards,

Walt

[egumpher]

Parkerizing is an older technology.

More modern metal surface finish preparations include Tefiner (Glock), Nitron (Sig-Sauer) or Melonite (generic), which not only create a chemically inert finish but are much harder, up to Rockwell 64-C scale, which reduces wear-n-tear.

BTW.....good-old black-oxide or gun-blue just protect the metal from corrosion by "pre-corroding" the metal's surface. They don't increase its hardness.

Rgds
Eric

[doki_j]

Thanks for the tips. Now that helps my informed decision on what to do next. Thanks Walt/Eric

[John]

I have a question: are you sure your 1991 is parkerized? If memory serves me right, Colt isn't parkerizing their pistols, they blue them. The finish may be matte, which is due to the metal not being polished, but I do not think it's parkerized.

[doki_j]

Hi John. that's something I have to find out. When I bought it I was told that it's parkerized but honestly I wouldn't know because I don't know much about finishes. I'll check the manual and will let you know guys. Thanks for your comments.

[forestranger]

My 1991 Commander has what I thought was a matte blue finish. Don't think it's parkerized but could be wrong?

[wjkuleck]

When the M1991A1 was introduced in 1992, Colt specified it as having a Parkerized finish. I had an early M1991A1 back in '93; as I recall it, it sure seemed to be Parkerized.

Colt now specifies the finish as "Blue" (2008 Catalog). Sometime between '93 and '08 it appears that the description went from Parkerized to Matte Blue and to today's "Blue."

So, the finish that you have probably depends on when it was mad.

Regards,

Walt

[doki_j]

I found it folks! My 1991A1 was acquired NIB by the first owner back in March 1997. Must have been the parkerized version I guess. Anyway, thank you for your thoughts here. I guess I'll keep it this way meantime until it wears off then might consider a hard chrome finish after then. Just want to keep the original Colt state for some reason.

[OD*]

According to Colt, the M1991A1s were parkerized from 92-94 and were matte blue after that, that's what they told me anyway.

[dogdollar]

On the down side, it's not particularly attractive :) .

Regards,

Walt

Oh, I don't know about that.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/VB2.jpg
DD