PARKERIZING BLUEING
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

  Parkerizing is not the same thing as blueing. People who don't know the terminology can get as screwed up in the gun business as the computer business by all these types who spew all these terms out and think everybody knows what they mean. 

  Parkerizing was / is the finish the MILITARY uses on their service guns.  In World War II, it was a greenish / brown color.  I've seen it a dark gray and most recently, it is blackish ala Colt AR-15.  Is is dull and not shiney.

  It does not rust very easily,  It's durable... but to my eyes, it is also ugly and inappropriate on a sporting rifle.   It is perfectably acceptable and even desirable on a military rifle.

  Almost any of the larger gun stores will have at least one or more guns finished with Parkerizing.  Go ask them and make them show you the difference before you go have it done and then discover that you don't
like it.

Also, a recent trend is to bead blast the gun before blueing and that makes it have a dull or non light reflective surface after it is blued. It goes well with the laminate stocks especially if they are black but again, I'm an traditionalists and I don't like that approach but I can see where it has utility value.

  A lot depends on your personal taste and to some extent, how you intend to use it.  if you want a traditional military finish, then specify Parkerizing and the color phase.  If you want something shiney, specify non bead blasted, high polish nitrate blueing. If you want a subdued but beautiful blue, have them put on a rust blue and if you want a non reflective finish, either Parkerizing or a bead blasted finish before blueing will do the trick.

  Don't get conned into something you don't want.  Go to your sporting goods store with a list of what you want to see and ask them to show it to you.  Then YOU decide what you like best.

Special Thanks for this tip goes to: dhendry@mindspring.com

Add your tips or past experiences to this page.. E-Mail me: berkelusa@hotmail.com

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