Need some help with nickel plating my 1911

[Boerboel]

I have a really good gun smith that i trust and ive been thinking about spicing up my 1911. Ive always wanted a polished nickel 1911 but could never find one. So i was wondering if any one has a nickel plated 1911 but the really shinny nickel like shinny enough to see your face in. I was also wondering if the entire frame was coated with that or if there were some parts with a duller shade of nickel.

[Geronimo509]

As you can see in the picture, the entire frame was polished nickle. I believe that Colt calls mine a bright stainless steel, but its basically the same thing. Yes I can see my reflection in the gun(see my smile). The only thing is the very top of the slide is not shiny and it is because it would make it a pain in the butt to use the sights.

[swack]

Check these guys out http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/
From what i hear they do a nice job and offer both nickel or hard chrome, both which can have a nice shiny finish. Hard chrome is also very durable.

[mlbgpride]

I'm liking those grips. Custom made?

[Geronimo509]

Yes they are. I got the idea from Jules from Pulp fiction(ya know, his wallet). I have a set of pearl/ivory(cheap set) but everyone always has ivory grips on shiny guns. I wanted something different lol

[pred]

As you can see in the picture, the entire frame was polished nickle. I believe that Colt calls mine a bright stainless steel, but its basically the same thing. Yes I can see my reflection in the gun(see my smile). The only thing is the very top of the slide is not shiny and it is because it would make it a pain in the butt to use the sights.

Colts bright stainless steel is high polished stainless steel.
And yes a good nickel finish will shine like a mirror, BUT to get the real smooth shine the frame must first be polished by someone good.
Nickel will also have a slight yellowish look that you may or may not be able to see.
Can also be VERY durable is done right.
Here is a nickel Smith and Wesson Airweight 38 special.

I carry this thing daily for the past 2 years in a leather IWB holster.
Still looks good.
Peter

[synergy]

Yes they are. I got the idea from Jules from Pulp fiction(ya know, his wallet). I have a set of pearl/ivory(cheap set) but everyone always has ivory grips on shiny guns. I wanted something different lol

That's pretty funny!

As much as I like em...God help you if you ever shoot someone with that gun.

Just image the prosecution talking to a jury.... "His pistol, says "BadMotherF*cker" down the grips...The prosecution rests, your Honor."


Regardless, cool stuff. Much better than the Punisher skull grips which you see all over the place, IMO.

[Boerboel]

Yes they are. I got the idea from Jules from Pulp fiction(ya know, his wallet). I have a set of pearl/ivory(cheap set) but everyone always has ivory grips on shiny guns. I wanted something different lol

LOL that is the exact reason i want my 1911 nickel plated because of Pulp Fiction! but are there 1911 chrome or nickel thats the real question.

[Boerboel]

im pretty sure my gunsmith can handle it. He custom builds 1911s. Wellscustomguns.com

[JudgeDredd]

Check these guys out
From what i hear they do a nice job and offer both nickel or hard chrome, both which can have a nice shiny finish. Hard chrome is also very durable.

I used to work with good nickel plating company. Nickel is more corrosion resistant than chrome is, but chrome is harder. Both nickel and chrome can be polished and very bright and shiny. If you need some more information, read this: types of nickel plating.