Black minis

[Bigbird48]

Well my Ruger LCP which I bought cheap as it had some rust on the slide that had pited some, Guy quoted me 200 to fix the pits and cerkote , Well yikes that was almost more then a new LCP LOL but he said he clean the rust up and cerkote it for 50 bucks. It was done close to 2 years ago now and it gets used and draw in and out of holster, so far I see little if any wear, I'm happy with it
You mentioned NP3 yes great finish but only comes in one color

[bill_deshivs]

Cerakoting generally costs about what nitriding costs-and nitriding is a lifetime finish.

[RogueTS1]

Well my Ruger LCP which I bought cheap as it had some rust on the slide that had pited some, Guy quoted me 200 to fix the pits and cerkote , Well yikes that was almost more then a new LCP LOL but he said he clean the rust up and cerkote it for 50 bucks. It was done close to 2 years ago now and it gets used and draw in and out of holster, so far I see little if any wear, I'm happy with it
You mentioned NP3 yes great finish but only comes in one color

Yes only one color but the brother coatings of it, which I cannot remember the name and have no wish to go look up for a simple comment, do come in a host of different colors. That LCP may be doing fine but put the Cerakote on a larger pistol with a good fitting leather or kydex holster and it will not be too long before one sees some wear. Nothing wrong with wear but we are talking about it being this great coating.................... which it is not really. It is fine but not great.

[RogueTS1]

Cerakoting generally costs about what nitriding costs-and nitriding is a lifetime finish.

Bill is right and thus puts the closing arguments to my case of Cerakote/Duracoat vs my Rattle Can work. 

[bill_deshivs]

The gun paints are more durable than bluing, but less so than plating or nitriding.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I pay nothing for these........................... cerakote is not worth the money nor the effort. If a gun needs a new finish then pony up a few dollars more and get a really tough finish like the NP3 or similar finishes. For all intents and purposes, Cerakote and Duracoat are just a pricey paint job.

I agree.  The Cerakote finishes I have seen are all scuffed and scratched just from handling for a couple weeks.

A customer just brought in a new FNX-9  from having NP3 done next door to my shop at Robar (https://robarguns.com)  This same customer had a 1911 with him that was done several years ago in the NP3 and it looked like new. He also said they are super easy to clean after the NP3 coating is done.

I wonder how a Mini Master would look all "Camo?" 

[Warthog]

I don't know, all the Ceracoated firearms I have see have looked great, even after they have been fired and carried for years.  It has to be done right, everything must first be completely degreased then absolutely dry.  After it is painted it should be baked on, can't remember the temperature,  Afte it is cooled, a clear coat is then applied and it should be set for a long time to come.  I will show mine when it comes back.  I gave it to him at the shoot today.  Once I pick the color from the Ceracoat site and give that to him he will get it painted and clear coated and give it back.  Then, I will have a copper colored firearm which is the last thing I needed for my copper EDC gear. 

[Warthog]

The gun paints are more durable than bluing, but less so than plating or nitriding.

This is true.  It doesn't actually color the metal which nitridedoes.  Plating colors it on a molecular level which is much more durable than any sort of paint will be. 
Ceracoat is a good paint, many police departments Ceracoat their firearms for SWAT.  Non-glare matte finishes mostly and they take wear well.  The Indianapolis SWAT teams Ceracoat their firearms and they look and stay looking great.  I think that when you see Ceracoat all scuffed and worn off it wasn't done correctly.

[SachimO]

I agree with Rogue. Why paint it when you can possibly put something more permanent on.

[Arts09]

Well, I finally picked up my Wasp that I had Cerakoted. I left the cylinder and front pin assembly stainless the way they came from the factory and had the trigger and hammer polished. I have to do something to highlight the front site. Other than that, I'm really happy with it. I'm thinking the faux stag or engraved boot grips might look sweet on it too.

[Gog]

Sweet! Very interesting indeed.

[Warthog]

Looks great.

[lefty dude]

The Wasp has a satin finish, as is a dull grey. I prefer the dull grey.
You pay for what you like, I guess.
In other Words, I am not impressed.

[grayelky]

Arts09-
I like your Wasp. I'd go by a hobby shop and get some gold paint and paint the front sight. Sure it will wear off, after a time, but it will take no time to re-do it. The gold will let it stand out and be easier to see. Maybe.

[Bigbird48]

Looks good

[Bluelitenin]

I believe Uncle Lee had two minis colored black to look like Blackjacks. Maybe he could tell us who he had do it.

No, I had a pair of Blackjacks that I had LR cylinders coated for them by the same company that did the Blackjacks.
No, right off the top of my head I don't remember the name of the company.

I went back to the 2013 e-mail and found it:

Lee,

Thank you for your interest in our Titankote C12 (Me-DLC) coating process.  The cost to coat (2) cylinders would fall into our $100 Minimum Charge category.  Shipping costs would vary depending on your location and desired service (Ground, 2 Day, Overnight, etc.).

I hope that this information is helpful.  Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns.  Thanks!

Best Regards,

Matthew E. Thompson
Sales Manager
Richter Precision Inc.
1021 Commercial Ave., P.O. Box 159
East Petersburg, PA 17520

(T) 717-560-9990

(F) 717-560-8741

(C) 717-538-1690

[email protected]

www.richterprecision.com

Thanks Uncle Lee, sorry to put you on the spot like that. I remembered that you had something done and that maybe you could offer some info.

[MtGoat]

Well, I finally picked up my Wasp that I had Cerakoted. I left the cylinder and front pin assembly stainless the way they came from the factory and had the trigger and hammer polished. I have to do something to highlight the front site. Other than that, I'm really happy with it. I'm thinking the faux stag or engraved boot grips might look sweet on it too.

I like it.
How about a set of Orange grips off a Bug Out

Actually a lighter set of stag grips would compliment the black very well.

I look forward to what you decide on and install....more photos to come

Pat

[Uncle_Lee]

Hey Blue,
No sweat.

[Ruger]

Art - VERY NICE!!

[Arts09]

It's nice to see that just about all the post's like my version of a Black Mini. Here are some grip option pic's that i have. I'm leaning towards the Stag Grip myself. I do have the Orange Bug Out Grip, but i didn't want to take the chance on tearing it. That sucker is really on there. Is there any tricks to getting them off?

[Scout24]

That looks great. I like the pearl, personally.

[Bj]

I have wondered if the darker colors especially for the grip would be good for concealed pocket carry to be potentially less visible.  My wondering started when first seeing the bug out model.

[Bigbird48]

Orange grips off I haven't tried this but I was thinking, take a thin piece of plastic or wood and slip it under the edge and lift and shoot some WD 40 or silicone spray and try to work them off. Might be worth a try

It's nice to see that just about all the post's like my version of a Black Mini. Here are some grip option pic's that i have. I'm leaning towards the Stag Grip myself. I do have the Orange Bug Out Grip, but i didn't want to take the chance on tearing it. That sucker is really on there. Is there any tricks to getting them off?

[Arts09]

Orange grips off I haven't tried this but I was thinking, take a thin piece of plastic or wood and slip it under the edge and lift and shoot some WD 40 or silicone spray and try to work them off. Might be worth a try

It's nice to see that just about all the post's like my version of a Black Mini. Here are some grip option pic's that i have. I'm leaning towards the Stag Grip myself. I do have the Orange Bug Out Grip, but i didn't want to take the chance on tearing it. That sucker is really on there. Is there any tricks to getting them off?

Thanks Bigbird! Worth a shot for sure when the time is right. Is there one?   

[Warthog]

I have wondered if the darker colors especially for the grip would be good for concealed pocket carry to be potentially less visible.  My wondering started when first seeing the bug out model.

It's in your pocket, not a big feal because no one can see it in there.

If I must draw my weapon, I want the other person to see it for sure.  Maybe they will run rather than need me to shoot them.

[SachimO]

The wasp isn't really my style but I do like the black with polished "accents". and that rose wood grip. sexeh! If you want to highlight the front site you might try some white nail polish. The make "site
paint pens" which is basically nail polish. 

[MtGoat]

I wouldn't put the orange grip on except for Halloween. 

Those wood boot grips look very nice.

Pat

[Warthog]

Got my NAA Mini back from the Ceracote guy.  I wasn't able to get it done.  He said he wasn't able to get it completely apart so he wasn't going to be able to paint it for me.  He said he wasn't able to remove some screw, for the trigger or in that area, so he wasn't able to do it.  He gave it back to me today.  Oh Well.

[Arts09]

Got my NAA Mini back from the Ceracote guy.  I wasn't able to get it done.  He said he wasn't able to get it completely apart so he wasn't going to be able to paint it for me.  He said he wasn't able to remove some screw, for the trigger or in that area, so he wasn't able to do it.  He gave it back to me today.  Oh Well.

That sucks Warty. The gunsmith at the store i go to took it apart and then sent it out to the Ceracote guy. Then when he got it back he reassembled it. He was scratching his head a few times and was having an issue with one of the springs. He had to take that screw out of the side plate quite a few times til he finally figured it out. This was the first NAA he ever took apart. I wouldn't give up that easy. Try the route i went and maybe you will have better luck that way. He charged me $75 for everything. Well worth having it done! Just my 2 cents.

[Warthog]

Yeah, my Ceracote guy is a gunsmith with an 07 FFLL and his SOT.  He tried all sorts of things including heat and he was not able to get the last little screw out.  He does a very good job of Ceracoting too.  Unfortunately he couldn't do this little gun for me.

[RogueTS1]

It wasn't by chance the one screw that is reverse threaded was it Warty?

[Warthog]

No, he tried and tried.  He is a good guy but he just couldn't get it out.

[JRobyn]

That would prompt a trip back to NAA for any gun of mine.  Not that I would do a complete strip and detail clean of a NAA,  but the inability to get it apart if I DID want to would drive me nuts.

[OV-1D]

  Like Rogue said, it had to be reverse thread , even used heat , come on . Lefty tighty , righty loosey has got to be the answer . Locktight thread adhesive is made to break down under heat even superglue can't hold up this guy isn't telling you something or just doesn't think its worth it . Which screw is it ? Hammer screws are reverse if that's the one .

[Lemon]

Rick I sent you a PM. Thanks and take care.