I have a basic Springfield Armory 1911A1 I have been considering having hard chromed and building up into a basic self-defense handgun. Part of what I have been considering with this project is hard chroming. In looking over information found on the web, Metalife seems to be the reccommended outfit for doing this type of work. However, I have never had a firearm hard chromed and would appreciate any advice I could get on where to have the work done and the pros and cons. Many thanks in advance for your help.

I’m going to take a shot in the wind on this one. 20 years ago I bought a better meta lathe. I cleaned it, painted it up and was going to chrome the handles and such to spruce it up. After talking to machinists and others they said don’t. The chrome can come off and cut your hand like a razor. The advise was just to nickel plate them. I think someone will chime in and give you better advice than I did. Whatever route you go, keep us updated. Alan

I had a Hard chromed 1911 that was stolen. I could Identify it to this day where the chrome had flaked off the sides of the slide and frame from use over the years , Holster wear, and the copper was showing underneath where it flaked. When that happens there is nothing that can be done to fix it other than a complete strip and re-chrome. I have had many ugly guns come thru my shop that were nickeled and were in Bad shape too...nothing I could do to fix the finish . I have a Chromed Model 12 Riot gun that has bad spots too.
It's your gun , so you do what you want , I will never own another chromed gun or Nickeled , when there are Stainless guns available now.
Rich

A few years back, I had the same idea of having an old Springfield 1911 chromed or nickel plated. After alot of reading and hearing about it flaking etc, I decided to go with having it ceramic coated. Has held up well after 6 years. No issues.

Accurate Plating in Alabama has been doing industrial hard chrome for years.

https://www.fordsguns.com/chrome

Done right, it won't flake.

AP does good work, did these two for me a long time ago, Smith 29 and 1911 frame.

DF

Thanks guys. I just looked at Accurate Plating (Cogan Custom) and their brushed finish is what I had in mind. I would go with stainless, but blue is what I have and I'm not looking at acquiring another 1911. I have heard about the issues with flaking, but I don't know if that's a characteristic of the process or something that just comes from a bad plating job. Thanks again for your advice and I will also check out Fords Guns.

Done right, hard chrome won’t flake.

Good reason to go with top talent.

The two mentioned vendors have good reputations.

DF

Fords looks like good stuff!

Have heard that. My personal experience was with Cogan/AP, but think either one would do what needs doing.

DF

Looked at their page too. Very nice. Its souding to me that Cogan/AP and Fords are the "go to" guys for hard chroming firearms. This is the information I was looking for and my thanks to all who responded to my question.

I've used FORDs several times, they're right down the road from me, been very pleased EVERY time....

they are good...NOT fast, don't know if chrome would be different than blue re: timing....

My turn arounds were all right at 6 months.....

The second time I used them, there were many, many CASES of Desert Eagles waiting to be finished.....

FORDs did a bunch of them...........

The fact that they seem backed up isn't a bad thing, other than having to wait. It means they have a thriving business based on performance.

Not sure about Cogan/AP's wait time, probably similar for the same reason.

If you're in a hurry, a call to each will give you a heads up on turnaround.

DF

More concerned with quality work than a quick turnaround time. Thanks again!

I always got excellent results and fast turnaround time with APW. Mr Coogan and the guys in the shop were great to deal with on tech questions and always struck me as just pretty good guys.
I never used anyone else for chrome.

My choice is a specialist plater with years of experience with hard chrome, not Ford's for sure.

Tell him who it is!

No experience with Ford’s, my experience with Coogan was super, recommend them highly. Their attention to details, like keeping my M-29 sights blue. They worth the wait if there is one. You’ll need to call regarding turnaround.

DF

Curious as to why not Fords? They did my HK P7M8 and I thought it turned out great. Albeit, it's not an everyday carry high volume shooter.

Yeah, looks good. I've not used Ford's, but hear good stuff about them.

That's a unique design. I never could warm up to it. I hear it gets pretty hot with lots of shooting.

They seem well made, I know they're not cheap.

DF

As I see it, its half dozen of one or six of the other when it comes to Coogans and Fords. Thanks guys, I apprecite your advice!

My five shot 45 Colt was done by Mahovsky's. No issues.

http://www.mahovskysmetalife.com/

I'd forgotten about Mahovskys. I had them Metalife hard chrome an abused M-70 I had JES rebore. Considering how rough it was, it turned out nice. They also engraved the caliber for me. IIRC they were much more economical than Fords.

I like that gun and the .358 Win round. JES did one for me and it’s a shooter.

Fav load is the 178 Shock Hammer over RL-7.

DF

That rifle was a Covid project, if it were left handed it would be my favorite. I've only put 5 rounds through it so far, Hornady 200gr factory loads. Sighted it in with 4 and put the 5th through an 8 point buck. I've taken more deer with the .358 than any other, mostly in a Savage 99.

What’s your fav m-99 .358 Win load?

DF