Beretta 'case hardening'?

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philthygeezer

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What's the scoop? Any good? I heard that Ruger abandoned the case hardening on their Vaqueros because it was susceptible to rust... Is this better?
 
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Beretta, like most other mass producers of firearms, uses the cyanide method of colour case hardening. While perhaps not as attractive as bone charcoal hardening, it is a more durable finish. In most cases the manufacturer will also apply a coating over the finish to enhance longevity.

Colour case hardening has never been the longest lasting finish, but rust has not been a problem as far as I have seen. The best protection against rust is a highly polished surface finish. Perhaps Ruger's investment casting method leaves a micro pitted finish which is susceptible to rust, I don't know.

In any case, I have not seen rust as an issue with Beretta case coloured firearms, nor with CZ / Huglu or H&R guns which also use the cyanide method. Longevity of the colours seems to be of greater concern, although even after the colours are gone the case hardening remains.


Sharptail
 
I recently bought a 687 C (case hardened receiver) -- aesthetically very sharp.

The only quirk so far was the first time out my hands got a black coating on them from the hardened parts -- haven't died of cyanide poisoning yet, and there seems to be no change in the finish. I suspect if well kept it will last a very long time.
 
drewster said:
The only quirk so far was the first time out my hands got a black coating on them from the hardened parts
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Sweaty palms could be the cause....it works as a catalyst to remove case color and blueing. Should that be the reason then it might be best to use gloves to protect the finish.
 
case

I treat my case hardened guns with 20% thinned true oil or Dbl boiled linseed with japan dryer to set it fast (about once a year) wipe it on and wipe it off. I have 30 year old guns that have prisitne colors.
 
Grouser said:
I treat my case hardened guns with 20% thinned true oil or Dbl boiled linseed with japan dryer to set it fast (about once a year) wipe it on and wipe it off. I have 30 year old guns that have prisitne colors.
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Is that as good as the boiled extract of musk-ox horn method?;) (just kidding! :p).

I'm thinking of waxing my CCH receiver. Anyone else tried waxing?
 
4Horse said:
Sweaty palms could be the cause....it works as a catalyst to remove case color and blueing. Should that be the reason then it might be best to use gloves to protect the finish.
Click to expand...

It was just the first real use of the gun that produced that result. Since then no black hands...
 
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