Bead blasted nickle

[pfcslr]

I recently stopped by my favorite gun store and asked the owner about getting some parts hard chromed. He said that bead blasted nickle was virtualy the same thing, and was in fact the choice of the local LEO's. What do yall know about the two and their pros and cons? I am looking for a finish that is wear and corrosion resistant to protect the non polycoated parts of my CZ P-01. I have seen lots of products promoted by distributors and manufacturers, but what I am looking for is tried and tested results of our members.




Thanks in advance for the help,
Searn

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[QKShooter]

Bead blasted Nickle for firearms (AKA Electroless Nickle) is a super nice finish. It has fantastic corrosion resistance and is very tough stuff.

Usually Flash Chrome is put over a base coat of Electroless Nickle anyway. Mostly because Chrome is a whiter color.

So these days usually it's Chrome over Electroless Nickle on guns.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with just Matte Electroless Nickle by itself though.

It has natural lubricity. It is hard enough by itself.
Electroless Nickle (properly applied) will never peel or flake off as it forms a molecular bond with the steel. Go for it!

[pogo2]

The Robar Company in Phoenix is well known in the gun finishing business, and one of their recommended finishes is NP3, which is electroless nickel mixed with teflon. You might want to read what they say on their website about the advantages of electroless nickel:

Robar discussion of NP3

[frank]

I bought a S&W mdl 10 from a plant Security guard. It was never shot but always carried and had nicks all over the blued finish. I sent it off and got the matte nickel and I really like the way it looks and it the finish is very tough.
I had this place do the work and it was reasonable.Firearm repair, restoration, rebluing and replating

Not a great picture and I had just finished shooting lead reloads, hence the soot and smudges.

[Rob72]

Nickle is nice, but bottom line: hard chrome is harder.

NP3 is good if you want wipe-cleaning and minimal lube needs. Again, HC is tough to beat there, but I give a slight edge to the NP3 because of the Teflon.