P229 with holster wear Cerakote question

If you use it in a kydex holster then it is going to get wear--if it is new or newly coated....

That’s a good point and another part of the equation. I don’t intend for this to be an EDC and it definitely won’t be a safe queen. Probably the occasional range day

Safariland is the only holster I have that doesn't eat Cerakote or the Legion PVD gray finish.

After 2+ years in and out of a Milt Sparks Criterion, my 229 Elite’s Nitron finish is beginning to thin out on some of the edges on the slide. I think it looks AWESOME.

I like the Boba Fett look. No Cerakote needed.

Dark blue jeans, or the faded blue look? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Cerakote is glorified paint job.

Just leave it as-is unless something needs to be addressed re: corrosion. Mostly related to the steel slide. Wear = character and tools are meant to be used.

Part of the Cerakote prep is a very fine bead blasting to get surface adhesion - or like the Marine Recon 1911's it strips off from holster wear. The beadblasting may dull down or hide some of the wear.

Even Glocks will wear down the nitride coating - it's a clue if the gun was Police issue at one time. Usually high spot wear and the outside of the gun beat from door jambs and a rare sidewalk scuffle. Carry any gun long enough and it won't look mint like the day it came home. Only a useless safe queen will keep it's finish. They sell shovels for job site ceremonies, the ones in the contractor truck were only nice the moment they checked out at the Pro register.

I wouldn't call my safe queens useless. I have guns that I shoot and guns that I don't. They all get lubed periodically and the ones that are used get cleaned. Some I buy for investment, some to shoot and carry, and some just to admire and fondle. And so each has its use to me. But I wouldn't buy a ceremonial shovel

And to keep this on subject I can appreciate the OP's question. He may be refinishing a gun he wants to own for any of the three uses I mentioned. Or even one that I didn't. His gun, his preference.

saolegion said:

I wouldn't call my safe queens useless. I have guns that I shoot and guns that I don't. They all get lubed periodically and the ones that are used get cleaned. Some I buy for investment, some to shoot and carry, and some just to admire and fondle. And so each has its use to me. But I wouldn't buy a ceremonial shovel

And to keep this on subject I can appreciate the OP's question. He may be refinishing a gun he wants to own for any of the three uses I mentioned. Or even one that I didn't. His gun, his preference.

Click to expand...

I did end up purchasing a p226 357sig with a lot less holster wear then the original firearms I was looking at. Probably just gonna shoot it as is and just enjoy a great a pistol!

This video was from three years ago, not sure if things have changed. If I remember correctly this was cerakote’s latest greatest and colors were limited.

I’m working on a P229 project and may have the slide cerakoted to match the frame’s more black finish that is in really good condition.



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Thanks for posting this. That Elite finish looks very durable indeed.