[muttmutt]

I have decided to purchase a Judge M410 Ultra Lite. I have alot of semi autos but this will be the first revolver. Any pros or cons on a blue vs the stainless? Is the stainless worth the extra $$.

I understand the ultra lite is a stainless over an aluminum frame.

 

[texas shooter]

This is a matter of choice and I'm sure alot will not agree with me. I believe stainless is always better it may come from alot of years of hunting. It doesn't scratch up, rust, keeps a newer look longer and I believe resells better if ever needed, etc. They got cloths that you just rub a bit on the cylinder and the powder black is gone. You can't do that on a blued one. Just my 2 cents.

 

[kingofwylietx]

I agree with Texas Shooter.

 

[mrglock]

I agree with Shooter, but I do own both. I just liked the looks of the blued in some cases over the same gun in SS.

 

[Qwiks draw]

Actually do agree with Texas Shooter.
Have to present all the facts though. ;D
One can live with either finish, but texas shooter has it right as far as the reasoning goes.

Stainless usually is the way to go.

If hunting though the shiny finish or glare can give one's position away. If it isn't natural in nature animals will usually shy away from what they don't know or the hunter's position has been given away. Not written in stone . Curiousity can get the better of some animals. Exception though rather than the rule.

For those who are in inclement weather or conditions a lot stainless makes sense. If one sweats like a pig or worse stainless makes sense.

For cleaning up and being corrosion resistant,stainless makes sense.

Blue will wear and do a decent job of protecting the gun. There are those who have had nothing but blued guns all or most of their lives and have never had reason to regret their choice.

One just has to take more care of a blued firearm under most conditions. If in salt air,extreme humidity, or other harsh enviromental conditions, more care is going to be needed to make sure the firearm stays in tip top shape regardless of the finish.

There are other finishes that can be applied that wear better than either finish mentioned so far. These may be somewhat costly, but over the long run keep the gun's finish, and in some cases function, in a better state than blueing or stainless can.
Not all applied finishes are costly.Won't go into most of those for now.

This is a personal decision.

If those who operate under harsh conditons get other tougher finishes put on a gun, it's a good idea.

Most of us do not have to do that and can get by with blued or stainless guns.

Texas Shooter is correct. Cleaning up and wear are much better with stainless as opposed to blued guns.

Have and use both blued and stainless steel revolvers and pistols. Stainless shows less wear over the years.

There's just something about a blued gun though that feels right.

There have been no regrets for using or having blued guns. Nor did I feel a need to sell off the blued ones and get only stainless steel firearms.

Can live with either finish.

Texas Shooter's points are all valid.

 

[mrglock]

I also like my carry guns in blue b/c I feel they are less conspicuous which is the reason I own so many 'dark' guns; the Glocks and blued revolvers & smaller autos.

 

[muttmutt]

Thanks for the help. I had located a blue locally but I guess I will start hunting down a SS.

 

[lizzyp93]

Stainless......easier to maintain,keep looking new and just plain purty.......Blue/black conceals easier,more stealth looking more maintanence.
Me??............Stainless every time.

 

[kingofwylietx]

We should note that black firearms are rarely 'blued'. They can get lumped into the same catagory, but are completely different. You can get the black look with Tenifer, diamondKote, Robar, HE, ceramics, and many more. Bluing has been around for a long time can be found on tons of guns. Most people have done fine with it. You can even re-blue your firarms at home. Stainless, titanium, and scandium require less maintenance without coatings....but you can coat them for additional protection as well.

I prefer a lower maintenance coating, but that is only my opinion.

 

[SgtKnuckles]

MuttMutt,... Tell us a little more info... Are you Buying for Home Defense, and a little Range Play (its a Snubby with 3" barrel~not a Target Gun) If your going to Hunt you got to get a 4" or 6" barrel...

I handled the Blue (Mirror Black) Nice, but showed smudges, fingerprints, dust, and grazing just like a Black Car... Yikes... Plus it may ware through to Steel on rub points (holster ware)(re-bluing to fix)

I own a satin finished Stainless Steel .45 doesn't show them smudges, and fingerprints, but you still have to be careful of Grazing, or Wearing (holster ware) through the Satin sand blasted finish (re-sandblasting to fix)

I ordered a Satin finished Judge... BUT canceled it when I found out I could get a Polished Stainless Judge...!!! I use the Judge for Home Defense... Sooooo... Lets have the Judge with the Bling Bling...<) Also it is the Easyest to clean, and all Grazing (fine scratches) can be removed with some metal polish... Plus holsters wearing on high points just make it shinier... The smudges, and fingerprints don't show as much as they do on the Black Judge...

The UltraLite Judge Satin frame will mar&graze just like the Satin Stainless Steel Judge... But if your going to CCW that Babe, go with the UltraLite Judge...
TAURUS M-410 45/410 CAL/GA
http://www.gunsamerica.com/97694936...vers/Revolvers/TAURUS_M_410_45_410_CAL_GA.htm

Don't worry about an extra $50 bucks to get the Gun You Want not the Gun that's $50 bucks less because its the AMMO that will far surpass the Cost of the Gun over time (bullets cost Bucks)... Don't have Buyers Remorse over a few dollars more... You'll smile just looking at the Gun if you get the Gun you really want...<)

I bought this Gun... I had to have it sent in from South Dakota, to Florida....
This was the Sales Add From Guns America "NIB"
http://members.aol.com/normtrudeau/judge/JudgeWebAdd.jpg
The Judge end of Box Serial~Notice the PSS (Factory Polished Stainless Steel)
http://members.aol.com/normtrudeau/judge/JudgeBoxSerial.jpg
The Polished Judge Pic on Guns America
http://members.aol.com/normtrudeau/judge/JudgePolished.jpg


We Gunner's with Polished Stainless Steel Guns, can Polish The Dog Sheet out of our GUNS WITHOUT FEAR of Rubbing Through the Finish... We know what works Best... BRASSO... We can RUB to our hearts content... And the Gun Just Keeps Getting Shinier...<)
http://members.aol.com/normtrudeau/SgtKnuckles_JudgeandHolster.jpg
WalMart (grocery~cleaning supplies)
http://www.stanleylondon.com/brasso.jpg

 

[muttmutt]

I found in my area that the Ultra Lite is very hard to come by. I went to several local stores and found that they could not find any at any suppliers . Although I really wanted the SS I ended up picking up the mirrored black today as I passed the shop that had one ,and my truck seamed to to pull real hard to the left into their parking lot. I think I need to get the truck looked at. Also I need to get my wallet fixed as there seems to be a hole it it as well anytime I get some extra money!

Anyway I really did not need the Judge but had to have one. These just look awsome. I will probably only use it for some range fun and home defense. I ended up with the ultra lite 3" barrel. I thought they cut me a decent deal on it compared with the non ultra lites the dealers had here.

I was leary about spending this kind of money online and when I figured shipping and FFL fee at this end I think I did O/K.

Now that I have the black, any ideas of what type of holster will keep the wear to a minimum. I want something that I can CCW in the future if needed.

Thanks for all your help and info. The more I look at the black I love it but will agree it shows everything.

 

[texas shooter]

Thanks gents, but I guess I should have been 100% honest, I do have a Tracker .44 in blue and I have to say it's pretty and does shine with a wax gun cloth. So I guess get what makes you happy. Qwickdraw I like your replies you always seem honest and give both sides to matters.

 

[texas shooter]

Muttmutt I was showed years ago by an old timer( which I guess I'm one now) on how to oil down and smooth out the inside of a leather holster to stop wear, now you can do the same with a good grade silicone, sandpaper and a rough wash rag ( not the Ms. good ones or the gun will be used on you) just get it smooth and coated , takes time and it will not wear the blue off.

 

[Qwiks draw]

Have to say there are coatings that look blue , but are not. Look black on the pistols. These do as others have said here wear just as well as many other finishes.
There's been a lot of good feedback and info in this thread. Thanks to all.

 

[texas shooter]

True Qwick Draw I believe my Tracker is that way, I have heard alot of people complain about the finish on Taurus, but my Tracker with a good cleaning and my gun wax cloth
sure shines pretty and deep.

 

[SgtKnuckles]

MuttMutt,... Now take some Pictures of that Bad Boy, and post them...

I like this Cleaning Kit for my Hand Guns...<) I have one for each of my Hand Guns, and keep just the pieces I need for each Gun inside it... This also works good to take a smaller Brush, and give it a little Banana Bend to clean the Forcing Cone...<)
And I highly recommend you get Solid Brass Jags for your guns... Works the best for Patching (scrubbing) them Barrels out... (forces them patches into the rifling) I personally find VIVA or Bounty paper towels making a two layer towel patch with a JAG works Great...

WalMart Store: $5.00
Gunmaster 8 Piece Compact Universal Pistol Cleaning Kit.
•For 22-45 Caliber Pistols.
•Includes 2 piece solid brass rod, brass brushes (22, 40, 45 and
9mm), solid brass slotted tip, and handle.
•4 Inch long handle coverts into a handy carrying case for easy and
compact storage.
http://i4.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/6e/1f/f4_1_b.JPG
http://www.letargets.com/html/popups3/dac_hgc2459.jpg

 

[muttmutt]

SgtKnuckles,

I have really appreciated all your feedback and help on this Judge purchase. Will be headed to Wallyword today to get the cleaner. I posted pics under the revolver section but here they are again just because I am so proud of it. ;D

 

[SgtKnuckles]

MuttMutt,... I went to the Gallery but didn't find it...???

I LIKE IT...<) Also add these to your Judge KIT...

Also one other NOTE: Only use Winchester ShotGun Shells because, the Remingtons have ribed plastic, letting to much Blow back Leakage down the Chamber...<:-((

Ammunition~this where I buy my OOO Buck... Remember No Slugs in this Gun...!!! The Bore is .450 and a Slug is .360... It will rattle down the Barrel...!!! Your .45 cal is your SLUG...<)
http://www.chestnutridge.com/products/ammo.asp

A must have for practicing in the Kitchen~A-ZOOM .45 COLT METAL SNAP CAP 6 PER PACK
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=16124
KLEEN BORE BRASS JAG .44/.45/.50 CALIBER
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?search=JAG231&submit.x=7&submit.y=11
Needed for Brushing the Cylinder Chamber (also take this to the Range with you)~Knight .50 Caliber Bore Brush, Brass
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=900090
HOPPES UTILITY BRUSHMATERIAL: NYLON OTHER FEATURES: BRUSHES ARE NON-BREAKABLE AND CAN DIG OUT DIRT WITHOUT SCRATCHING METAL.
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=H1380

Stainless Steel Guns Only:
Brass~HOPPES UTILITY BRUSH~I use this brush on the inside of my Stainless Frame around the Forcing Cone, and back by the firing pin area, and front & back of the cylinder, because it is not polished and has no finish to scratch up... Only works on Stainless Guns that don't have some sort of Finish on them...
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=H1380P

 

[SgtKnuckles]

MuttMutt,... I just ordered 2 more Boxs of Black Dawge's Black Powder...<) I depleated my supply after that last trip to the Range...<)

 

[Coop650]

I have owned both and still prefer the looks of a blued gun compared to stainless. I agree stainless is easier to care for and is tougher. But there is just something about a blued gun that I really dig. Here is my latest, PT111 Pro.