You can have a gun of that size/complexity hot blued for around 125ish dollars probably, that would be my choice. Other than that you can parkerize it or like you said duracoat or other bake on finish. But IMO the blue is going to look the best with that wood...

yea, blued would be my first choice, but i don't want to pay to have it done because i'd spend as much as the gun is worth. it's just the cheap topper model, but i got it free sooo, can't complain. durabake does have a "gun blue" just don't know how that would look being spray on.

I also think blued is the way to go with the wood

I'm a little old fashoned. So a blued gun looks best to me. Other finishes work better to hide any flaws in the steel but if it's not real dinged up that would be what I'd look into. And a hot blue..Not that cold blue kit thing. It's good for touch ups but a whole gun I would not attempt to do.

Now there are a few other finishes but if the wood is any good it might take away from the gun to use them.

well if it was cheap or i could do it, it would get blued. the wood looks 100 times better than it did, but its not perfect and it's only a $150 gun. and anything will look better than the grey crap on it now, just don't know which of my options would end up looking best. i did see a parkerizing kit on midway, anybody used it...i don't want to get in over my head though

black with that nice red?

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm

its not that expensive for what it is....

would this be an appropriate finish?

Originally Posted by jc27310

black with that nice red?

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm

its not that expensive for what it is....

would this be an appropriate finish?

hmmm, that looks simple enough and would probably look pretty good. thanks for posting that link. i'm going to look into it, just wonder how it will hold up to heat...i just skimmed through so i got read it all and maybe email them and find out more info.

Originally Posted by not_possible

hmmm, that looks simple enough and would probably look pretty good. thanks for posting that link. i'm going to look into it, just wonder how it will hold up to heat...i just skimmed through so i got read it all and maybe email them and find out more info.

the problem might be with "long term durability"... it's not considered a "military grade" finish on firearms, even though people use it that way. You will need to keep it oiled.. it could be a "retro thing" for you...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_oxide
it is essential the precursor of bluing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_(steel)

for the ease of use (safe DIY) and a bit easier on the environment, you cannot go wrong. you will find black oxide on automotive hardware and tools.... if it doesn't work out, you can always have some really bitchin tools in the garage! I was considering using it on a pair of weber carburetors myself...