XD45 acp 4" Service Model - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

prophotodude · 03-14-2008, 11:18 PM

Hi everyobody, love this site. My question is this: What kind of finish does this gun(XD45 acp 4" Service Model) have? I read that the finish wears off on the black ones, is this true or are the older models the only ones affected?

**SgtRich** · 03-15-2008, 01:13 AM

All XD-45s with the black colored slide have undergone a process called melonite, which is similar to Glock's tennifer process. Melonite is a process that is absorbed into the metal, not a coating on top of the metal, and does not "wear off". If you Google melonite, there is more info than you ever wanted to know about the process available on the web.

TG13 · 03-15-2008, 01:53 AM

but.. the black finish will scratch and scuff.. although, the metal is still protected even if the black comes off.. i know the black comes off, i have a small scuff on my slide that revealed lighter colored metal underneath.. this is why i'm looking into a different coating for my XD45's metal parts..

rgeliske · 03-15-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG13

but.. the black finish will scratch and scuff.. although, the metal is still protected even if the black comes off.. i know the black comes off, i have a small scuff on my slide that revealed lighter colored metal underneath.. this is why i'm looking into a different coating for my XD45's metal parts..

I don't know of any finish that will not scratch or scuff, even stainless steel is not safe. The problem with SS is you can often buff out the scratch or scuff mark but the buffed area will be brighter than the surrounding area. There are some finishes that are more resistant to scuffs like NP3 and Hard Chrome, see Robar Premium Finishing & Firearms Home Page , Tripp Research, INC. Hardchrome page. In my opinion a gun that shows some holster wear has character. In any case the XD's Melonite treatment is very effective in protecting the metal parts.

tdyoung58 · 03-15-2008, 01:37 PM

the first XD's didn't have Melonite and would show some rust sometimes, I have a older one and it's showing some discoloration on the pins through the bottom reciever. I'm going to get it parkerized sooner or later. One of these days.

**SgtRich** · 03-16-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdyoung58

the first XD's didn't have Melonite and would show some rust sometimes, I have a older one and it's showing some discoloration on the pins through the bottom reciever. I'm going to get it parkerized sooner or later. One of these days.

All XD-45 ACPs have the melonite treatment. Some older versions of the XD, in calibers other than .45 ACP, did not have the melonite treatment.

TG13 · 03-17-2008, 02:04 AM

I'm thinking of getting a Boron Carbide coating (Diamond Black) from Bodycote (IonBond)..

Tech Sheet on Boron-Carbide from Bodycote..

i think this is the coating that i'm going to go with on my XD-45ACP Service..

03-14-2008, 11:18 PM	#1
prophotodude XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: IL. Posts: 111	XD45 acp 4" Service Model Hi everyobody, love this site. My question is this: What kind of finish does this gun(XD45 acp 4" Service Model) have? I read that the finish wears off on the black ones, is this true or are the older models the only ones affected? __________________ ‘‘We, the People are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts — not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution.’’ — Abraham Lincoln "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud (He hit the nail right on the head.) _______________________________________________ XD45 4"Service W/Thumb Safety All Black

03-15-2008, 01:13 AM	#2
SgtRich XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 150	All XD-45s with the black colored slide have undergone a process called melonite, which is similar to Glock's tennifer process. Melonite is a process that is absorbed into the metal, not a coating on top of the metal, and does not "wear off". If you Google melonite, there is more info than you ever wanted to know about the process available on the web. __________________ Springfield Armory XD-45 ACP Service Model Glock 21 SF Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Last edited by SgtRich; 03-15-2008 at 01:41 AM.

03-15-2008, 01:37 PM	#5
tdyoung58 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 302	the first XD's didn't have Melonite and would show some rust sometimes, I have a older one and it's showing some discoloration on the pins through the bottom reciever. I'm going to get it parkerized sooner or later. One of these days. __________________ ‘‘Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.’’ — Thomas Jefferson

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-15-2008, 01:53 AM	#3
TG13 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atascocita, Texas. Posts: 156	but.. the black finish will scratch and scuff.. although, the metal is still protected even if the black comes off.. i know the black comes off, i have a small scuff on my slide that revealed lighter colored metal underneath.. this is why i'm looking into a different coating for my XD45's metal parts..

03-17-2008, 02:04 AM	#7
TG13 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atascocita, Texas. Posts: 156	I'm thinking of getting a Boron Carbide coating (Diamond Black) from Bodycote (IonBond).. Tech Sheet on Boron-Carbide from Bodycote.. i think this is the coating that i'm going to go with on my XD-45ACP Service..