Matte vs Parkerized

dreher

April 05, 2013 17:54

I am in the process of deciding on a new barrel for my 870. Taking an 870 from a 24 out of 25 trap gun, to a home defense gun. I asked earlier about the differences between cylinder bore and IM. Once I looked over some of the charts some of you posted links to, I realized that cylinder bore was not what I wanted. Thanks for the links!!

Now my question is........... what is the difference between a Matte finish and a Parkerized finish?? Which hold ups the best?? I should add that I live in humid South Carolina.

I've got to be up early tomorrow so I'll read your replies then. Thanks all!

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  1911builderMarine

  April 05, 2013 18:44

  A matte finish is a bead blasted blue finish.
  
  Parkerizing is either a zinc or manganese phosphate finish on a bead blasted surface.
  
  Parkerizing is more rust resistant than a blue finish in my experience.
  
  Charles.

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  Emmett Dunham

  April 05, 2013 18:48

  The parkerizing seems to be a more durable finish but for a fine looking shotgun you cannot beat blue and walnut.
  
  Emmett

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  charliemeyer007

  April 05, 2013 19:18

  I think the Parkerizing is tougher and more rust resistant than a hot salts blue. It seams to hide flaws better too. I still prefer the matte (bead blasted) blue black finish.

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  rufe-snow

  April 05, 2013 22:48

  quote:Originally posted by dreher
  I should add that I live in humid South Carolina.
  
  
  
  
  Have the whole 870 parked, one less thing to worry about, i.e. rusting. Using it for home defense, reliable function, rather then finish should be your primary concern, IMHO.

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  nmyers

  April 06, 2013 04:35

  "Matte" describes preparation of the metal surface, not the finish.
  
  You can get a matte surface by bead blasting, or by the use of a coarse abrasive & coarse polishing wheel. THEN, you apply the finish, which can be bluing, Parkerizing, plating, etc. Yes, Parkerizing offers better rust protection than bluing.
  
  For those of us in humid, salt water areas, the ultimate protection will be nickel plated stainless steel & proprietary coatings:
  
  
  
  Neal

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  beantownshootah

  April 06, 2013 19:13

  quote:Originally posted by dreher
  I am in the process of deciding on a new barrel for my 870. Taking an 870 from a 24 out of 25 trap gun, to a home defense gun. I asked earlier about the differences between cylinder bore and IM. Once I looked over some of the charts some of you posted links to, I realized that cylinder bore was not what I wanted. Thanks for the links!!
  
  Now my question is........... what is the difference between a Matte finish and a Parkerized finish?? Which hold ups the best?? I should add that I live in humid South Carolina.
  
  I've got to be up early tomorrow so I'll read your replies then. Thanks all!
  
  
  What Nmyers said.
  
  Matte just means the surface is rough. ANY finish can be made matte or applied over a matte surface.
  
  Usually Parkerized finishes are matte and usually blued finishes are polished shiny black (but not always. . .some are matte).
  
  If the question is which is more DURABLE, that's a no brainer.
  
  Blued finishes are generally considered to LOOK the nicest, but they're rust prone, wear off easier than phosphate/parkerized finishes, and require the most maintenance in terms of protective oiling, wiping off corrosion-causing finger acids, etc.
  
  Parkerized finishes are considered the worst LOOKING, but they are tough, corrosion resistant, and the dark color doesn't reflect light (considered a stealth advantage). Consequently military weapons are typically Parkerized.
  
  For your question, to me that's a complete no-brainer. For a purely functional (ie no frills) defensive weapon where rust is a concern, if you have the choice take Parkerized over blued steel.
  
  Stainless (or marine-coat stainless), is better yet in terms of resisting corrosion, but that wasn't an option you listed. The shiny marine-type finishes reflect light, potentially a drawback. Also, a nitride finish (aka "melonite", "tennifer", etc), is probably the single most durable finish out there, but again, not an option you listed.

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