Refinish choices

[ScotP7]

All,
Long time Kahr shooter and relatively long time Kahr Talk lurker, but this might be my first post?
I have an early blue carbon K9 (I bought it around 95-96). Except for some edge wear, in very nice shape -- spent most but not all of its life in the safe or at the range (occasionally visiting the other-thread mentioned bedside table).
So it doesn't absolutely need a finish, but it seems it deserves one.
What recommendations do you have? Don't want hard chrome. Like NP3, but also thinking about a darker look perhaps.
What say you?
Thanks for any advice or your experience.
Great forum.
Scott

[yqtszhj]

If you're into flat black I think you can find lots of pics on here of ceracoat. It looks good.

[RevRay]

The people at W.E. Birdsong (http://black-t.com/index.htm) can do all kinds of colors for you ... including a very nice black.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=725

[CJB]

Ceracoat, KG Coating (my choice), parkerizing in grey or green, then again, the coatings come in most any color too.

[Bawanna]

I'm with RevRay on this one. Some early Kahrs I believe actually had Birdsong finishes. It looks real nice and it's durable.

I got a couple that someday will visit Birdsong.

[ScotP7]

Thank you all for the input.
Birdsong is appealing -- I recall it came out on Kahr not too long after I bought mine, making me envious. The black has the same properties as the green.
Can anyone say anything re ceracoat vs Birdsong, and/or vs NP3, or other refinishes, pros and con?
Any comments re relative salt resistance or resistance to scratches, etc, say vs hard chrome.
Does either finish have any intrinsic lubricating properties?
Does either make guns appreciably easier to clean.
Researching websites and reviews on both.
Thanks,
Scott

[RevRay]

Below is a picture of a used MK9 Duo Tone I picked up about a month ago. This particular model Kahr was made in a limited edition run of 400 back in August, 2001, with the slide coated by Birdsong. The picture isn't real great, but you can see just above the handle that there is some wear on the lower part of the frame. I would say that after 12 yeas of what looks to be fairly good use (it certainly wasn't something stuffed in a safe all that time), it still looks pretty good. I'm planning on sending it off to Birdsong pretty soon to get the slide redone. One difference between the Birdsong finish and a Cerecote finish is that the Birdsong black is perhaps a bit more shiney, and a Cerecote finish is more of a flat or matte black.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=723

[Sgt 127]

Quick note. NP3 is a version of electro less nickel. Hard chrome is a different finish entirely. E nickel is extremely corrosion resistant and has just a touch of gold color but softer than hard chrome. Hard chrome has a touch of blue and is extremely hard. Both good finishes, but different. (The colors are hard to describe, that's how I see them)

Both are likely more wear resistant than any applied polymer finish.

[ScotP7]

Thanks for the comparative thoughts. Very helpful.

[Sgt 127]

If you like the black finish, I have had these folks do a couple parts in Melonite QPQ. Rock hard, very tough finish. Satin black, like an older Glock.

http://www.coalcreekarmory.com/gunsmith-shop-prices/

[gb6491]

All,
Long time Kahr shooter and relatively long time Kahr Talk lurker, but this might be my first post?
I have an early blue carbon K9 (I bought it around 95-96). Except for some edge wear, in very nice shape -- spent most but not all of its life in the safe or at the range (occasionally visiting the other-thread mentioned bedside table).
So it doesn't absolutely need a finish, but it seems it deserves one.
What recommendations do you have? Don't want hard chrome. Like NP3, but also thinking about a darker look perhaps.
What say you?
Thanks for any advice or your experience.
Great forum.
Scott
Let's see some photos young sir! If the bluing is still good or has some character, it might be best left as is (or refreshed with a little cold blue).
Regards,
Greg

[ScotP7]

Very reasonable point -- photos should have been provided. I haven't learned that skill yet.
Leaving as is may certainly be a more respectful way to go.
Maybe I need to buy a beater or two to try out some of the great suggestwfrom this thread.
Thank you for your assumption, but I wasn't young when I bought that first Kahr in the 90's. If I were, I'd probably be posting photos...