Black Slide or Stainless? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Rustynuts** · 03-22-2007, 02:42 PM

Was wondering on the XD models if there is a major difference between the blacked slide or the stainless one, other than looks? Are the black models stainless too and just coated, or are they carbon steel, which could be prone to rust if scratched?

rodnocker1 · 03-22-2007, 02:59 PM

Black are carbon steel and stainless are...(well, you know). I would like it if they were both SS and the melonite would be like double coverage. I have an XD9 that I got from 021411 and it is a stainless slide he had black coated. It may not make any difference as far as rust but I like the idea (although I'm going to leave my XD45 5" Bitone uncoated).

Mountain Walker · 03-22-2007, 08:50 PM

It is my understanding on direct word from Springfield customer service that all XD pistols made in 2006 and newer have melonite finish on all the metal parts. This melonite finish is like the glock tenifer finish, and makes them more desireable than stainless steel if you are worried about rust. Stainless steel will rust and pit if subjected to salt. One of our local PD's on the beach was using S&W Stainless guns and had a rust issue. They switched to glock with the tenifer finish and got the problem solved. The tenifer or melonite finish is part of the heat treating process (called carbonizing) and rust proofs better than most other finishes.

Glock has been doing this finish for years and is one of the strong points about their pistols. Many of the other manufactures really do need to get with the program. I was glad that XD got with the program in 2006.

leeindy · 03-22-2007, 09:12 PM

did you just post this same question on packing.org

malkore · 03-23-2007, 01:15 PM

just to clarify what melonite/tennifer is - tennifer and melonite are metal treatments, not finishes. All XD's now get the melonite treatment, and then get the final finish. Black slides are melonte. Bi-tone slides are melonite, and made of a different alloy that polishes nicely.

**agalindo** · 03-23-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malkore

just to clarify what melonite/tennifer is - tennifer and melonite are metal treatments, not finishes. All XD's now get the melonite treatment, and then get the final finish. Black slides are melonte. Bi-tone slides are melonite, and made of a different alloy that polishes nicely.

Have you verfied with Springfield on the Stainless model also having the melonite treatment?
The melonite treatment is a surface metal treatment, much like case hardening and is a few microns thick.

Quote:

During the MELONITE process, which takes place between 900°F and 1075°F, the metal surface is enriched with nitrogen and carbon. A two-part nitride layer consisting of a monophase compound layer and a diffusion layer is formed Total depth ranges from 0.008-0.040", depending on the composition of the base material and treating time. Hardness in the compound layer ranges from approximately HV 700 on alloyed steels to about HV 1600 on high chromium steels.

**Rustynuts** · 03-23-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeindy

did you just post this same question on packing.org

Why yes, yes I Did! Posted there first, but then found this site and figured I'd go direct to XD owners.

leeindy · 03-23-2007, 03:21 PM

not to speak down about people i dont really know but as far as the guntalk area over there id avoid it. theres a bunch of stuck in the old ways guys over there that still think you should use ball ammo for personal defense and forget about suggesting something out of the ordinary

**Rustynuts** · 03-23-2007, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the insight. I'm a newbie, so just feeling my way around the various sites.

leeindy · 03-23-2007, 11:02 PM

youd be hard pressed to find a better set of guys than these right here.

no i did not just kiss all your asses

03-22-2007, 02:42 PM	#1
Rustynuts XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,202	Black Slide or Stainless? Was wondering on the XD models if there is a major difference between the blacked slide or the stainless one, other than looks? Are the black models stainless too and just coated, or are they carbon steel, which could be prone to rust if scratched?

03-22-2007, 02:59 PM	#2
rodnocker1 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leona, Texas Posts: 582	Black are carbon steel and stainless are...(well, you know). I would like it if they were both SS and the melonite would be like double coverage. I have an XD9 that I got from 021411 and it is a stainless slide he had black coated. It may not make any difference as far as rust but I like the idea (although I'm going to leave my XD45 5" Bitone uncoated). __________________ Rodney

03-22-2007, 09:12 PM	#4
leeindy XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: montana Posts: 2,892	did you just post this same question on packing.org __________________ USAF F-15 Attack Control Specialist / Range Officer / Defensive Pistol Instructor "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity" Sigmund Freud Anchorage Practical Shooters Club aka ANPRACS ANPRACS Match Videos click here and here USPSA # A-58756 IDPA # A28338 Co-Founder of the OFFICIAL XDtalk Competition League Another good gun forum http://www.nationalgunforum.com

03-23-2007, 01:15 PM	#5
malkore XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: eastern Nebraska Posts: 646	just to clarify what melonite/tennifer is - tennifer and melonite are metal treatments, not finishes. All XD's now get the melonite treatment, and then get the final finish. Black slides are melonte. Bi-tone slides are melonite, and made of a different alloy that polishes nicely. __________________ malkore my guns - http://home.neb.rr.com/malkore/firearms.html

03-23-2007, 03:21 PM	#8
leeindy XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: montana Posts: 2,892	not to speak down about people i dont really know but as far as the guntalk area over there id avoid it. theres a bunch of stuck in the old ways guys over there that still think you should use ball ammo for personal defense and forget about suggesting something out of the ordinary __________________ USAF F-15 Attack Control Specialist / Range Officer / Defensive Pistol Instructor "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity" Sigmund Freud Anchorage Practical Shooters Club aka ANPRACS ANPRACS Match Videos click here and here USPSA # A-58756 IDPA # A28338 Co-Founder of the OFFICIAL XDtalk Competition League Another good gun forum http://www.nationalgunforum.com

03-22-2007, 08:50 PM	#3
Mountain Walker XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 47	It is my understanding on direct word from Springfield customer service that all XD pistols made in 2006 and newer have melonite finish on all the metal parts. This melonite finish is like the glock tenifer finish, and makes them more desireable than stainless steel if you are worried about rust. Stainless steel will rust and pit if subjected to salt. One of our local PD's on the beach was using S&W Stainless guns and had a rust issue. They switched to glock with the tenifer finish and got the problem solved. The tenifer or melonite finish is part of the heat treating process (called carbonizing) and rust proofs better than most other finishes. Glock has been doing this finish for years and is one of the strong points about their pistols. Many of the other manufactures really do need to get with the program. I was glad that XD got with the program in 2006.

03-23-2007, 06:33 PM	#9
Rustynuts XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,202	Thanks for the insight. I'm a newbie, so just feeling my way around the various sites.

03-23-2007, 11:02 PM	#10
leeindy XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: montana Posts: 2,892	youd be hard pressed to find a better set of guys than these right here. no i did not just kiss all your asses __________________ USAF F-15 Attack Control Specialist / Range Officer / Defensive Pistol Instructor "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity" Sigmund Freud Anchorage Practical Shooters Club aka ANPRACS ANPRACS Match Videos click here and here USPSA # A-58756 IDPA # A28338 Co-Founder of the OFFICIAL XDtalk Competition League Another good gun forum http://www.nationalgunforum.com

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