What's your go to coating?

[Alan]

When it comes to choosing the best finish for a high-round-count pistol, should you go with Cerakote coating or nitride treatment?

 

[Uncle Grinch]

Not for pistols, but I favor parkerized finish for my hunting rifles. Very durable and tough finish. Here’s my 45-70 Siamese Mauser.

 

[Magus]

I can apply and touch up cerekote when I need it, BUT nitride probably won't ever need it.
If you have a parts store, try a can of ceramic caliper paint. Heat your metal to 120-150 degrees, mist on a light base, let dry, put on another coat, let cool, and top it in whatever color you like. Finish with dry silicon spray as it cures. That's not coming off with regular use unless you use zip strip vandalism spray.

 

[Uncle Grinch]

Interesting… not familiar with ceramic caliper paint. I’ll have to check it out.

 

[Magus]

Needs to be heat-cured. Read the can.

 

[Brucer41]

I had the slide on my Glock 19 Duracoated about 6-7 years ago. It was my EDC for about 2 years and also was carried as a daily on and off for about another 2 years and so far not a nick, scratch or discolor on it. On an S&W 59 I put a clear ceramic on the slide and black on the body and that has been about 5 years and again, no wear or anything on it.