[sigsrok]

Black ones are Nitron coated, some are nickel finished, some are natural stainless.

Does that help?

 

[tonyvillegas]

Black ones are Nitron coated, some are nickel finished, some are natural stainless.

Does that help?

Well I don't have the black one, so how do I know if it's nickel or stainless?

 

[dwg13013]

Exeter nickel is a warm golden tan.
Not very many of them. Stainless is a lot more common.
I like stainless for carry, because it doesn't wear much. Also steel wool can dress them back up.

If you are original owner, or have the box, and it was nickel, it would say so on the box label.

 

[Nelson]

The P238 Spartan is a brown PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish over stainless steel, I think.

 

[jkao42]

Well if it's the one in your picture.... Stainless

 

[hodge]

They also used cerakote, such as on the Scorpion.

 

[Scorpionbowl]

My Scorpion has cerakote and I don't know the exact pros and cons of using it but racking the slide is easier than any of my other pistols were during break in.