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AR15 Armory.com _ AR15 Reviews _ Cerakote T&E

Posted by: jchtrh August 7th 2009 4:44 AM

Living on the Coast, in a humid environment has always presented a problem with long term protection from rust, corrosion and wear. The use of Firearms is a part of my personal and professional life, and the care and reliability of firearms is Paramount at work and while hunting. Of course, periodic and careful maintenance will always be required, but have always thought that it would be nice to have a bit of added protection...extra issuance from the elements that can cause Rust and Corrosion. Without constant attention to firearms while hunting on long trips, sometimes lasting a week...firearms tend to show the wears.

Firearms coatings have always interested me, mostly because of the protective quality they submit, but also the unique personalized look of a good coating adds aesthetics.

I had my Springfield 1911 and Remington 870 coated in http://amelonfirearms.com/page/1pa44/Amelon_Firearms/Coating_Information.html by Dan at Amelon coatings. After talking with Dan and getting an idea of what colors I would want my firearm coated in...I chose Black and OD Green for both Guns and just specified that I wanted the 1911 Frame in OD and the Slide in Black and left the rest to him. I had the 1911 Duracoated this past Winter by Dylan at 7.62, and he did a wonderful job...actually one of the nicest coatings I have seen, but being the person I am and at no fault to what the 1911 looked like before, I decided that it would be the gun that I would want coated in the Cerakote. I am extremely happy with how the firearms turned out. My 870 was well used and needed a bit of a face-lift, because I wanted a pair done to match, the 1911 followed.

I looked over my guns with a fine tooth comb, and was pleased. Dan also coated the barrel on my 1911 and since my 1911 was very tight fitting, I needed to file out the grooves for my locking lugs...I expected this, when I fitted my Ed Brown barrel, the tolerances were very tight. After spending a couple minutes doing this, I thought I would try to pick at the edges of the coating to see if it would chip or peel, no such luck...it was on there good. Dan also Micro-Slicked the Guide rod of my 1911.

I went out to see if they still functioned as well as they looked, I shot both the firearms dry with no lube, with the 870 I didn\'t see a problem, but I was a bit skeptical about the 1911. The coating itself offers some lubricity, not as much as the Micro-Slick, but it still helps in the function.

I shot 25 Rounds of 12 Gauge Slugs and did not have any problems, again this was expected...but while feeding the rounds into the chamber, it felt as if it were oiled and did not catch or bind up anywhere. Shooting the 1911 was also successful, I shot 100 rounds through without any issues. I shot several mags as fast as my finger could pull the trigger and did not have one malfunction.

On the way home, I stopped by the Bering Sea and soaked a Papertowel with Sea Water and brought it home with me. My intentions was to wrap the barrel of the 870 with it and let it sit for 24 hours. This test is small in comparison with Cerakotes own testing, but it is difficult doing in the real world with a personal firearm...which led me to a bit or reservation in doing this. Every bone in my body screamed "don't do it!", but for the sake of a complete review and more importantly piece of mind and trust in the coating....I did it.

Bering Sea

Soaked Paper-towel

Wrapped over 870 Magazine Tube and Barrel

24 Hours Later

Wiped dry with another Paper-towel(dry)

There was absolutely no problem with any rust, corrosion, peeling, cracking, discoloration or wear...what a relief!

I then took apart the guns for a cleaning and was surprised at how the coating held up. there was almost zero wear on the slide and guide rod. I did notice some minimal wear on the barrel, but again that was expected, the 1911 barrel was not broke in when I sent it out to Amelon and had very tight tolerances. The 870 also held up well, the coating was completely intact on the bolt other moving parts, quite surprising even though I only shot 25 rounds, I think I racked the shotgun another 50 times before that.

I am pleased a the durability of the Cerakote and I think Dan went the extra mile in getting the firearms coated correctly and quickly.

Pros: This coatings adds a protective layer to the surface of what it is applied to, in this case a 1911 and a 870. It is also a relativity inexpensive way of refinishing a favorite hunting gun or completely redoing a "project" or as we call them loaner or boat guns.

The coating also adds to the lubricity of the moving parts of the firearms, which only can be enhance more with the application of Micro-Slick.

Cons: Although the coating is applied very thin, you may need to do a bit of adjusting or tooling in firearms with tight tolerances.

Sending out my guns has always been a love/hate thing for me...even though I don't want to ship them out, I know it is for a beneficial reason...refinishing, repair...etc., but knowing that Amelon is a FFL, a professional and very good with communication, I will not have a problem sending him another firearm....or two.

As time goes on and the coating has a chance to sit and be exposed to me and the elements, I will add-on to the review...but for the time being I am sold. I am trying to figure which gun I will send him next.

If you are looking to get a completely custom coating done, saving a older gun or just to get a simple black coating, give Dan at Amelon a call or http://amelonfirearms.com/ for more info, I think you will be happy with the results.

Posted by: jchtrh August 7th 2009 9:06 AM

Before Pics

Posted by: dan2sv650 August 11th 2009 4:01 AM

thanks for the good review jchtrh, i am impressed with the coating and like you said knew you would as well. let me know if there is anything else we can do!

i also want to add for the record, that the finish on the 1911 was the best Dura-coat finish i have seen yet! the scheme was unique, but the actual work apart from the paint was very nice.

Posted by: NONEYA August 11th 2009 4:24 AM

They both came out looking good. Nice review.