Handgun refinishing

Question
I currently carry a .32 Beretta Tomcat, daily, with a black factory finish.  Unfortunately, my inside the pocket leather holster has damaged the finish on the pistol.  Since I need to send it to be refinished is there another finish that is more durable and cost effective for a hand gun that size?

Answer
Curtis,

First, you should know that holster wear is unavoidable in a gun carried daily.

Although there are many outfits that claim to have a more durable finish, most of them are a spray & bake derivative of a DuPont product, that, when done really well, doesn't hold up any better than bluing (and will hold up worse if not done well).

The most durable finish you'll find is hard-chrome, but it will change the slide to white color.  It can be bead-blasted so it is "frosted" looking, but it will be white, not black.  This finish is very hard and durable, but not particularly cheap.

It can also only be done to the steel portions of the gun (in the case of the Beretta, slide and barrel - the frame is aluminum if memory serves me).  Chrome cannot be applied to the aluminum portions as far as in know.

Most outfits (like Robar) do the aluminum in a white spray & bake finish to match the chrome.

Do a web search for someone who does hard chrome, but make sure they do the finish for GUNS - you don't want to send it off to auto shop!

If you want a black finish, you might try Walter Birdsons & Assoc. Black-T finish.  I like the finish a lot, should only cost you about $50, and he is a heck of a nice man to work with.  You will still get wear with it, but not as bad as the original Beretta finish.  I don't have Walt's phone at this location, but he is located in Mississipi (sp?), and a web search should locate him for you.

About the only way to render holster wear moot is with a stainless gun - the wear is still there, its just much less visible, and there's nothing to really do to fix it.

For what its worth, when I buy a used gun, I usually look for one with holster wear - it usually indicates that the gun was carried a lot, but shot very little.  I consider it a badge of honor.

Stay safe!