XD finish durability - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

gunnery · 09-13-2007, 11:22 AM

I own an earlier Xd 9 service model with old finish and it has rust issues in South Florida(where I live). I would like to know how the new Melonite finish is holding up against rust and surface wear. I was told by Springfield's customer service department that their Melonite is essentially the same finish as Glock's Tennifer and HS's Croatian Tennifer plus. I have a Xd subcompact 9mm Bi-tone on order and I was wondering if the extra money for the SS slide is worth it over the Melonite. Please help me?!
I can be emailed at: usa4us@comcast.net

hitman · 09-13-2007, 12:25 PM

I just called SA (jon @ 1-800-680-6866 ext 8948 ) to have my XD (older finish) sent in to be refinished. Its free for the most part (they reimbrse up to 50 bucks for shipping) and is supposed to be a much better finish.

As far as your new pistol, the new finish is good for me, i live a few blocks off the beach in So Cal, no rust issues yet.

gunnery · 09-13-2007, 01:36 PM

Thanks hitman. So, do you think I should just go with the Melonite finish or pay the extra $40.00 for the stainless slide?

mattjohnston87 · 09-13-2007, 01:38 PM

It would be up to you on that point. Both the SS and Melonite offer greata rust/corrosion resistance. With general maintenance of the firearm, rust shouldn't be an issue anyway, but with either of those two finishes, you should be just fine either way.

It all comes down to personal preference on color.

gunnery · 09-13-2007, 01:44 PM

Thanks Matt. It's just that here in South Florida most guns in this very high humidity develope surface rust, even with diligent care.

TURK · 09-13-2007, 04:48 PM

Well, I feel you. I have an older finish xd9-sc. Here in south Texas we have the same issues with humidity and rust. I just sent out my gun to SA to refinish with the newer finish. On the other hand my xd45 tactical has the new finish and I have been carrying it for the past week. No issues with rust yet. As far as the SS and black finish goes, it is up to your taste.

Liquid Rhino · 09-13-2007, 10:30 PM

Hey Gunnery, I'm also in So.Fl (Miami) and own a 45c w/ the newer finish. I'd say send it to SA and see what they can offer you.

In terms of rust, so far after few months & 750rds (still a baby!!!) the finish looks much like when I first got it. I tend to clean it after every trip to the range tho, so don't know if that makes much difference. If anything I'm finding the holster wear is MUCH more prominent than actual 'use' wear on the melonite.

gunnery · 09-14-2007, 06:44 AM

Liquid Rhino- Do you think an Xd9sc with a stainless slide will retain a newer, less worn, less superficial rust look than the Melonite over time?

Liquid Rhino · 09-14-2007, 09:12 AM

Honestly, I can't say firsthand. My thoughts would be that a Stainless slide would probably show less wear due to it's overall brighter appearance from general use & holsters so long as it's cleaned often. Whether or not the actual wear factor on the slide finish is similar, I have no clue, sorry.

Don't know if this might help answer your question, but I do have a very 15+yr old Stainless S&W 357 revolver that still looks excellent (at least, more presentable) vs. my 3-4 month old XD45 w/ melonite, but I fear that's not exactly apples to apples..

**PackerfanXD** · 09-14-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitman

I just called SA (jon @ 1-800-680-6866 ext 8948 ) to have my XD (older finish) sent in to be refinished. Its free for the most part (they reimbrse up to 50 bucks for shipping) and is supposed to be a much better finish.

So, how much did it cost you out-of-pocket to get it refinished?

09-13-2007, 11:22 AM	#1
gunnery XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 32	XD finish durability I own an earlier Xd 9 service model with old finish and it has rust issues in South Florida(where I live). I would like to know how the new Melonite finish is holding up against rust and surface wear. I was told by Springfield's customer service department that their Melonite is essentially the same finish as Glock's Tennifer and HS's Croatian Tennifer plus. I have a Xd subcompact 9mm Bi-tone on order and I was wondering if the extra money for the SS slide is worth it over the Melonite. Please help me?! I can be emailed at: usa4us@comcast.net Last edited by gunnery : 09-13-2007 at 11:26 AM. Reason: add my email

09-13-2007, 01:38 PM	#4
mattjohnston87 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 6,435	It would be up to you on that point. Both the SS and Melonite offer greata rust/corrosion resistance. With general maintenance of the firearm, rust shouldn't be an issue anyway, but with either of those two finishes, you should be just fine either way. It all comes down to personal preference on color. __________________ -Matt aka 'Sneaky Pete' Last edited by mattjohnston87 : 09-13-2007 at 01:49 PM.

09-13-2007, 10:30 PM	#7
Liquid Rhino XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: three\|zero\|five Posts: 901	Hey Gunnery, I'm also in So.Fl (Miami) and own a 45c w/ the newer finish. I'd say send it to SA and see what they can offer you. In terms of rust, so far after few months & 750rds (still a baby!!!) the finish looks much like when I first got it. I tend to clean it after every trip to the range tho, so don't know if that makes much difference. If anything I'm finding the holster wear is MUCH more prominent than actual 'use' wear on the melonite. __________________ Keepin' It Real Since '79...

09-14-2007, 09:12 AM	#9
Liquid Rhino XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: three\|zero\|five Posts: 901	Honestly, I can't say firsthand. My thoughts would be that a Stainless slide would probably show less wear due to it's overall brighter appearance from general use & holsters so long as it's cleaned often. Whether or not the actual wear factor on the slide finish is similar, I have no clue, sorry. Don't know if this might help answer your question, but I do have a very 15+yr old Stainless S&W 357 revolver that still looks excellent (at least, more presentable) vs. my 3-4 month old XD45 w/ melonite, but I fear that's not exactly apples to apples.. __________________ Keepin' It Real Since '79...

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09-13-2007, 12:25 PM	#2
hitman XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 114	I just called SA (jon @ 1-800-680-6866 ext 8948 ) to have my XD (older finish) sent in to be refinished. Its free for the most part (they reimbrse up to 50 bucks for shipping) and is supposed to be a much better finish. As far as your new pistol, the new finish is good for me, i live a few blocks off the beach in So Cal, no rust issues yet.

09-13-2007, 01:36 PM	#3
gunnery XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 32	Thanks hitman. So, do you think I should just go with the Melonite finish or pay the extra $40.00 for the stainless slide?

09-13-2007, 01:44 PM	#5
gunnery XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 32	Thanks Matt. It's just that here in South Florida most guns in this very high humidity develope surface rust, even with diligent care.

09-13-2007, 04:48 PM	#6
TURK XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: TEXAS Posts: 134	Well, I feel you. I have an older finish xd9-sc. Here in south Texas we have the same issues with humidity and rust. I just sent out my gun to SA to refinish with the newer finish. On the other hand my xd45 tactical has the new finish and I have been carrying it for the past week. No issues with rust yet. As far as the SS and black finish goes, it is up to your taste.

09-14-2007, 06:44 AM	#8
gunnery XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 32	Liquid Rhino- Do you think an Xd9sc with a stainless slide will retain a newer, less worn, less superficial rust look than the Melonite over time?