Stainless, Black or Green?

Freedom First · Feb 9, 2011

What finish is on your OC firearm and why? I was wondering if the weapon's finish enters most people's thought process regarding OC. All the OC weapons I have seen so far are black guns tucked in a black holster.

My Taurus PT-945SS is stainless with black grips and since my original plan for it was CC, I thought that stainless and sweaty me (Tri Cities summers) would be a good match. Now that I OC all the time I do like having a firearm that doesn't look all dark and sneaky. Can't hide that shiny gun in the little black Serpa CQB...

Just curious.

Tomas · Feb 9, 2011

I prefer an all black pistol, but my current carry pistol (OC and CC) is a dull finish stainless and black in a shiny black holster.

For OC I actually do think that the stainless may be slightly less intimidating/frightening to some others than the "sinister black" I prefer... http://tijil.org/pt709_bianchi82.jpg

irish52084 · Feb 9, 2011

I never thought about finish as it pertained to open carry, but I did buy a stainless 1911 for CC. The only gun I ever open carried was a glock 32 in a serpa so I guess the black gun black holster holds up. lol

cbpeck · Feb 9, 2011

My grandfather used to say, "life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun." I think that logic could apply to OC as well.

My favorite carry piece is a Kimber CDP II Custom with a stainess slide, black frame & rosewood grips. I usually carry it in a havana brown Galco belt holster. It definitely isn't tacticool.

My EDC is a Bi-Tone (stainless slide & black frame) XD-40 Subcompact in either a black or brown Galco belt holster. Yes, I change my holster to match my belt & shoes. :lol:

rmansu2 · Feb 10, 2011

Mine is Stainless on Black. "Big" Ruger KP95. IMO stainless draws the attention of people more that black on black. Not the reason I bought it, just love Ruger. This is my only pistol though so OC or CC has to be done with this one.

KansasKraut · Feb 10, 2011

Stainless, full-size 1911 with walnut grips. The only way to roll, in my book.

Cavalryman · Feb 10, 2011

I don't really give it any thought. I have one or more handguns with every finish imaginable.

Freedom First · Feb 11, 2011

Cavalryman said:
I don't really give it any thought. I have one or more handguns with every finish imaginable.

Braggard... :lol:

No, really, what flavor do you carry OCing? I've been suprised about the stainless guns theme here.

.45acp · Feb 11, 2011

Freedom First,

I have 3 guns that I OC;

1911 5" Colt that is blue with walnut grips – 80 % of the time
1911 4" Wilson Combat that is Black with black grips - 15 % of the time
629 3" S&W – 5 % of the time

All are carried in leather, not a black plastic ( er….. space age materials) holsters. IMHO a high ride leather holster that holds the weapon close to the body is less obtrusive and somewhat more discreet that the black plastic holsters. I carry the same holster OC as CC.

I like the SS 629 for OC but the SS gun does draw more attention. I like SS for the anti corrosion and weather resistant qualities that the material brings to the table. That said, if I was to carry a SS gun daily, I would send it off to have it coated with a subdued finish. I have a two tone (SS slide, blue frame) Kimber that I gave my Dad for CC, it is fairly subdued as the SS is beadblasted, not the smooth polished finish prevalent on many SS guns.

YMMV

KansasMustang · Feb 11, 2011

Since I'm not making a fashion statement when I carry, either CC or OC, I really don't give any thought to the type, color or finish of the weapon. I carry what I can shoot best. Sheesh just me saying it.

Freedom First · Feb 11, 2011

Kansas - What about the CDI factor?

.45acp · Feb 12, 2011

KansasMustang said:
Since I'm not making a fashion statement when I carry, either CC or OC, I really don't give any thought to the type, color or finish of the weapon. I carry what I can shoot best. Sheesh just me saying it.

You seem to be overly concerned regarding "fashion. Stop reading Cosmo.

Just sayin.

45acpForMe · Feb 12, 2011

I have given it some thought.

Personally I think a stainless gun with rosewood/cocobola grips is beautiful. I usually OC my stainless guns when I dress up for dinner or going out.

My every day utility gun is a H&K USP black on black in a black SERPA holster. I figure for tactical reasons an anti-reflective gun is best although I don't think it matters all that much.

Ruby · Feb 12, 2011

I carry what I shoot best, OC or CC. For me, that would be my Dan Wesson 1911, stainless steel with cocobolo grips. Beautiful gun to look at, beautiful gun to shoot. I don't worry about the reflective quality of the stainless steel since when it's holstered, most of the gun is in the holster and not visible.

Cavalryman · Feb 13, 2011

Freedom First said:
Braggard... :lol:

No, really, what flavor do you carry OCing? I've been suprised about the stainless guns theme here.

Usually black slide over dark green frame but that's just because that's what my Wilson M1911 has. Otherwise, it's likely to be a stainless S&W 625, a stainless S&W 629, or a stainless S&W 500. Sometimes I carry a CZ75B .40 cal with a brushed nickel finish and on the rare occasion a S&W 25 with a bright nickel finish. I never really consider the finish when I'm deciding what to carry.

Edit: Most of the guns that I carry with any frequency have Crimson Trace grips so they're just black rubber.

XDFDE45 · Feb 13, 2011

Flat Dark Earth

j4l · Feb 18, 2011

Matte stainless slide/black poly frame. I doubt it will become an issue either way.
The stainless will be easier to clean, and it's matte-so not much concern of glare, and not so shiny/gaudy that it shouts LOOK@ ME I GOTTA GUN to everyone.
When you've got a piece on the hip- non-gunners are going to notice- whether it's black,gold, chrome or whatever.

Freedom First · Feb 21, 2011

Observational Skills

j4l said:
Matte stainless slide/black poly frame. I doubt it will become an issue either way.
The stainless will be easier to clean, and it's matte-so not much concern of glare, and not so shiny/gaudy that it shouts LOOK@ ME I GOTTA GUN to everyone.
When you've got a piece on the hip- non-gunners are going to notice- whether it's black,gold, chrome or whatever.

Oddly, most people I meet totally miss the shiny Taurus shown on the left. I had four contractors over to my house last week for 30 minute surveys and when I asked them, only one had seen and recognised it as a firearm... Woof. Maybe needs a siren on it?!? Or maybe I need different contractors?
:shocker:

since9 · Feb 27, 2011

I really like the idea of stainless. Nothing to chip or scratch off, and it looks good.

However, I prefer not to stand out from the crowd when I OC, so my CZ 85 B is black, with something called "Polycoat." Black holster, too, and when I'm carrying, I usually wear black jeans.

I'm not trying to hide the fact that I'm carrying. If I were, I'd simply CC. What I don't like doing is standing out in a crowd. The firearm stands out well enough simply because it's a firearm. I'm thankful there aren't additional bells and whistles on it.

.45acp · Mar 4, 2011

j4l said:
Matte stainless slide/black poly frame. I doubt it will become an issue either way.
The stainless will be easier to clean, and it's matte-so not much concern of glare, and not so shiny/gaudy that it shouts LOOK@ ME I GOTTA GUN to everyone.
When you've got a piece on the hip- non-gunners are going to notice- whether it's black,gold, chrome or whatever.

I will disagree with you, I have OC'ed many places and have had many folks miss it...most folks are just not that observant.

Stainless, Black or Green?

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