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What are the pros and cons of SS ? I can't remember what differences there are between SS and Carbon Steel guns. Is heavier? Gauls easier? Or its not supposed to be mixed with Carbon Steel gun (SS lower and CS upper, etc.) ? Just started thinking about a SS 1911 for the first time and was wondering what quirks SS had.

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45Fundi

From a user's standpoint, I can tell you the new Colts (NRM Series 70) work just fine in stainless. Gauling is really a thing of the past. It is my understanding that you cannot do as tight a job of re-fitting the frame-to-slide, but my Novak s/s NRM Series 70 has a Kart barrel, and both shoots great and is nice and smooth.

I do like the lower maintanence.

Stainless is very nice for damp climates and carry work. It will get a bit scratched as you shoot and use it, but the gauling really is not an issue now. The nice thing about stainless is that it does not require any finish and if you do ding it or scratch it, just repolish or media blast the area again and just like new.

Jess

keep in mind that stainless still stains (rusts), it just "stains less".

mate finished stainless is no more rust resistant than blued carbon steel, in my experience. Satin finished steel resists rust quite well. Hi polished resists the best. Its all about the final surface finish. Stainless Alloys used in firearms are more prone to rust than typical stainless steels.

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Galling is still an issue with tightly fitted guns. Mostly when trying to acheive a very tight slide to frame fit. There are methods to combat it but getting a very tight slide to frame fit is still easier with carbon steel.

If you put a Black-T finish on SS how would that affect it ?

I love, love beautifully blued guns and well worn blued guns, but the mag release and lower trigger guard on my carry gun look like an orange Chia Pet at the end of the day and my bedstand looks like it belongs to someone with a Casey's Sheath and Cleaning supply fetish. I'm on 2 LTW lists right now for future customs (late 07 or 08 sometime) so I'm looking at something less prone to chemically reacting with my hip until my LTW guns are born. So, for the first time in my life I'm considering SS or Two-Tone 1911s. If I don't see something real soon on the For Sale board here that fits the bill I think I'm gonna get a NightHawk Talon II or III to tide me over the next 18 months. Any advice is most welcome.

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God Bless
45Fundi

I just sold a gun in the "for sale" section that is stainless with a Black-T finish over it. The finish works just fine that way.

In my experience any of the Blackt.Roguard/gunkote type finishes hold up well on any type of steel and resist rust remarkably well. Better than some plating jobs.

_________________
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com