Mahovsky's Metalife

[Lee Martin]

I know a lot of you have this finish so I thought I'd share the following. After having 10+ guns Metalifed I've noticed some variation in the chrome's appearance. First off, I always order brushed satin which mirrors base stainless. The result is a tone similar to Ruger or S&W's tumbled SS. But on a few occasions the Metalife came back a bit more mattte than I like ("frosted" would be an apt description). Ron told me much of it depends on how finely polished the metal is from the factory. Now they'll re-polish the gun but it costs extra (their rates are quite reasonable so I recommend the added prep).

Anyway, I had this 32 H&R Single-Six done in 2010 and didn't request additional polishing. They brush chromed it and as usual did a first-rate job. The finish was even, hard as hell, and they turned it around in 30 days.

The gun has seen a lot of range time in 3 years, 2,500 rounds to be exact. And every time I pick it up the dull chrome bothers me. So a few weeks ago I decided to do something about it. Using 00 steel wool and Simichrome I lightly buffed the exterior. It took a while because Metalife is so damn tough (C-scale 71). Eventually the chrome brightened and I completed the job with 0000 steel wool.

Here's the end-result (the ejector and backstrap weren't plated.  I wanted some contrast):



Hopefully the hard chrome crowd finds this useful.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[cmh]

Have seen a few done and I love the.contrast...... that's a great looking revolver

[whitworth]

That looks great, Lee!

[ermont0825]

Any issues with cartridges clambering? I'm asking because I have a S&W M19 that was parkerized and totally F'ed up. So I am looking to get it fixed.

[vonfatman]

Great looking revolver Lee. Thanks for the write up and photo.

Bob

[bushog]

Thanks Lee,

I've been thinking of having a gun built on one of the .44 anniversary flat tops and having it hard chromed. I have no experience with the finish so any info helps.

Do you have any experience having it used on blue guns in regard to the cosmetics of the finish and durability in comparison with having the HC applied to a SS gun?

[magman]

I had this done in 1998 and have had no problems with it.

[bradshaw]

ermont0825.... are you sure your Model 19 was parkerized? Parkerizing is not a coating that adds thickness. Hard to believe parkerizing would impede chambering rounds. The M-19 chambers are roller burnished for smooth simultaneous ejection (unnecessary in a single action); parkerizing might add a little "tooth," although I doubt it increases dimensionally.

There are many coatings out there these days, which have thickness, some more than others.
David Bradshaw

[ermont0825]

Bradshaw, Yes it is parkerized. The guy added double the amount required to the solution.