The Glock slide finish on your custom pistol protects the metal and keeps your pistol looking good, but over time, even the best coatings can wear down. Whether you’re looking to restore a well-used pistol’s beauty or try out a new look with all the Glock slide upgrades you’re working on, aftermarket coatings can be a great choice. That’s why there are so many options on the market, many of which bring their own trademarked names and letter-salad designations to otherwise similar products. Let’s take a look at what your top coating choices have to offer and where they may be lacking.
Pfft! I‘m More Worried About How It Shoots!
It doesn’t matter how a gun looks if it doesn’t shoot, but your Glock slide finish plays a role in keeping your gun running smoothly. Shooting is dirty work that’s hard on your gun. The propellants in modern ammunition leave behind caustic compounds, metal and carbon particulate accumulate, and your barrel and slide will move through wild temperature changes as they contain and control small explosions to send your bullets down range. The right finish helps your firearm weather this storm of physical abuse, while the wrong finish leaves it open to damage from its own ammunition, rough handling, or the environment.
Considerations When Choosing a Finish
When you’re choosing a Glock slide finish, you need to understand that not all finishes are created equal. While most manufacturers will invest in a reasonably durable option, they really only need it to last through the warranty period. That’s why custom finishes and coatings are some of the most sought-after Glock slide upgrades. When looking at finish and coating options, consider the following:
- Added Thickness – Some finishes alter the structure and color of your slide’s surface, while others sit as a thin layer bonded to the top of the surface. While these layers are incredibly small, when dealing with the precision tolerances of a handgun design, they may be the deciding factor between a smooth-cycling weapon and a jam waiting to happen.
- Hardness – Harder finishes resist scratching and scoring better than softer ones. While every finish can be marred with enough force, friction, and time, better Glock slide finishes will hold off these effects for longer.
- Environmental Resistance – Your finish also works to lock out the effects of the environment, including rain, salt, and chemicals that could damage the raw metal underneath. This is particularly important in wet climates or those near oceans and seas where salt water waits to eat the steel that makes up your slide and barrel.
- Friction Reduction – Slides are meant to…you know, slide back and forth across the rails as your weapon cycles. Your finish keeps the surfaces smooth for reduced friction, but some Glock slide finishes go even further. Self-lubricating finishes trap oil in small pockets that ensure your slide is always lubricated as long as regular maintenance is kept up.
- Appearance – Sure, functionality may be the most important thing, but we’re not going to discount the feeling of pulling out a sweet-looking pistol at the range. Whether you love a minimalist matte black or vibrantly neon statement piece, the right Glock slide upgrades on a fresh custom finish are fun to own and show off at the range.
- Effort of Installation – There are DIY Glock slide finishes and ones best left to the pros. Make sure you know what you’re doing before trying to coat or refinish your gun, or contact a reputable gun finish provider who has the experience (and reviews) to handle a weapon you’re going to trust your life to.
Types of Glock Slide Finishes
Let’s take a look at a few of the best Glock slide finishes on the market and why they may be the best choice for your gun. We’re also going to look at two options to avoid when it comes to protecting your Glock slide upgrades.
The Top Glock Slide Finish Options
- Nitride Coating – All our slides are nitride coated to increase their resistance to wear, protect them from the elements, and aid lubricity for smoother cycling. Ferric nitrocarburization creates two ultra-thin additional layers on the surface of your slide: an outer iron nitride layer and an inner layer of steel with nitride diffused throughout. The result is a surface that is rugged, pitch black, and as resistant to the elements as chrome nickel plating. This practical finish is available under various trade names, including the “Tennifer” FNC finish used by Glock successfully for so many years.
- Cerakoting – This polymer-ceramic coating is applied to the gun, creating a thin, hard layer to keep your slide safe. This option is often more expensive than nitride coating, but it’s available in a range of colors. Particularly talented professionals even offer custom patterns and designs to gun owners willing to pay a premium.
- DLC Coating – Diamond-like Carbon coatings offer the hardest surface around, and the graphite carbon composition keeps cycling smooth thanks to the reduced friction.
Avoid These Glock Slide FInish Mistakes
- Doing Nothing – While you’ll be fine if your slide or gun is factory-fresh, choosing not to address worn finishes can put your slide in jeopardy. As holsters, everyday use, and rough handling in rugged environments begin to thin or eliminate protective layers, bare metal is left exposed to the elements, increasing your risk of rusting, damage, and binding.
- Slide Wraps – Let’s call them what they are: stickers. Gun wraps are touted as the poor man’s alternative to refinishing a gun or creating a custom look. Stickers wear out faster than true Glock slide finishes, offer very little protection, and can snag, tear, or leave a residue that interferes with your weapon’s operation. You’ve invested hard-earned money in Glock slide upgrades, and they deserve better protection than a sticker.
Get a Glock Slide with a Finish You Can Count On
We build practical aftermarket Glock slides to give gun owners a better shooting experience. That means making sure our Glock slides have one of the best finishes on the market. Customize your pistol with real-world-ready parts. Order your Glock slide upgrades and barrels from Patmos Arms today.