When it comes to your hunting handguns, be they revolvers, semi-autos, T/C's, or SP's, which finish would you prefer the steel to be and why?

I have both but I prefer stainless. I like the look and I think they are a little easier to care for.

I personally prefer stainless. I like the finish, it seems more durable.

I like all of it! A hard use handgun gets cerakote!

Stainless: more durable finish and less critical on maintenance due to harsh environments.

Stainless for function

Blued for looks.

Stainless here also. Hunting guns and carry guns.

Blued steel for me. There is something cold, sterile and impersonal about stainless steel. That said, I have quite a few stainless guns.

I prefer the look of blued revolvers. I like stainless guns for hunting, especially in the rain and snow.

I agree

I like both and prefer whichever one I have in my hand that day. But if I know I will be wet and muddy for days on end stainless would be easier to take care of.They are not rustproof but more rust resistant than blued.

I like both, I agree that blued steel feels like it has more personality, more soul if you will. Stainless on the other hand looks good as well but is more resistant of the elements. I have a frame (what's left of it) of an older Bisley Blackhawk that went KB and it's been sitting outside for a long while now and the stainless still looks good despite the cold, snow, rain and heat!

Hey, if I want to get fud the easy way, I'll buy it at Costco. If I'ma gonna shoot sompfin, I'ma gonna use a gun with some style.
Look it up, style: Noun, blue steel and wood grips.

But maybe that's just me.

I'm pretty sure it is.

But still, that's what makes me happy.

Dogsbreath

I've always been I fan of stainless. Really don't know why. I like the look and have always liked the durability of the finish especially if caught out in foul weather. With that being said. Ever since I took possession of my two Linebaugh customs in blue; I think they are super sexy. They only thing they are missing are the brass grip frames.

For lower maintenance the stainless. For pure appearance and beauty give me a deep blue. Just my preference.

Mine as well

I like stainless but to be honest blued steel is just classy.... and you guys with the cch revolvers and pics just make me green with envy. I like wood stocks hate plastic, except when it comes to my glock.

This is my opinion as well.

Question, though. How much difference in required maintenance is there between the finishes? I'm kind of a clean freak when it comes to mine, so I clean clean my guns more often than they probably need.

Agree

I tend to go with stainless for hunting. I just believe they will take the elements better.

Ok, let me ask.
How many here took a well maintained blued steel gun out into nasty weather, hunted, and came home and took reasonable care of their gun only to find that it had been harmed in some way?

It seems to me that soulless steel will hold up to neglect better, but wont' they both hold up just fine to good treatment?

Dogsbreath

Oops, did I type soulless? I meant to say stainless.

(not really)

db

I have blued guns that I have hunted with for more than 40 of my 55 years and they are just as pretty now as day one. I don't live in a particularly humid environment so I guess that can be taken for what it's worth, but it doesn't take a whole lot of effort to keep things squared away. I'm with ya.

FWIW, my dad still has the Marlin 30-30 his granddad used to kill a buck about 50 years ago. Probably wasn't cleaned real often till my dad got ahold of it, but it's blue finish is still in fine shape.

Question, though. How much difference in required maintenance is there between the finishes? I'm kind of a clean freak when it comes to mine, so I clean clean my guns more often than they probably need. [/quote]

not much. my 1st handgun was a single six that still gets used just as hard as it did 30 years ago. its been frozen in it holster by freezing rain, goes swimming ( i always seam to fall in the first day of fishing season with snow and ice in/around the water) and sits in its leather holster when not in use. a cleaning and rub down with 3 in 1 oil after each use and she still looks good. some worn blueing from holster where but still good. stainless will never have the soul? of blue. having said all that for hard use ill take stainless, but love blue

I have dragged this .500 Maximum through some of the nastiest conditions I have encountered in the field. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Blued.

I have both but prefer blued. The only stainless guns are a S&W 66 and a Ruger Redhawk 4" 45 colt. The rest are blue steel. My old 41 Blackhawk has seen some pretty harsh weather and survived it well with care on my part. It can turn rather wet, rather fast here in Alaska but I don't let that determine what gun goes afield with me. A healthy application of Johnson's Paste Wax prior to a wet trip afield does wonders to stave off the rust monsters. Of course daily checks and a thorough cleaning when I return home are in order.

So, is it safe to sum this thread up with this comment?

In a quality made gun that is maintained well, both blue and stainless work well. Stainless holds up to neglect or a lower level of care better than blue. Most consider the blued steel to have more character, though both function just fine.

If the above is an agreeable statement, and I can assume anyone who spends time on this site is a 'I take care of my guns' guy or gal, get what floats your boat.

For me, that's blue, but I do have a piece or two in stainless because I got a deal or they didn't offer it in blue. Heck, I even have some plastic autos that live in my pockets. Are they my favorite? Nope, but they sure carry nicely.

carry what you shoot well and what makes you happy, but carry.

db

Gotta agree with Whit on this one, SS is cold, I prefer the blue, even casehardened. And I too own quite a few SS guns. Now, if I lived near saltwater, that's a different story. Coogs.