XDS Slide Finish--Is this normal???

[huklebry]

That's what he said. He scratched it with a punch.

[ThumperMX113]

I see that now, missed that part..

[Stratajema]

Originally Posted by ajamesp51

...Melonite is clear, the Black has nothing to do with the Melonite...

Huh? It is my understanding that melonite processing creates the black surface coating. That coating can be removed and one can still have the benefits of melonite because it is embedded into the metal.

See the 3 minute mark of this video:

Melonite.wmv - YouTube

Melonite.wmv - YouTube

See the 1 minute mark of this video:

You Tube

You Tube

[Stogies]

I honestly can't say because my XD9SC now has quite a bit of holster wear and it impossible to figure out what it looked like brand new.

If it's any consolation to the OP mine has yet to show any rust so the finish seems to be quite alright. It does get fairly humid were I live, too.

[ajamesp51]

Originally Posted by huklebry

Why did they quit tenifer? I was unaware they had done so.

Ok before anyone says I am spreading rumors.........I just re-certified and took another Glock Armorers course less than a month ago.

Since one of the byproducts of the Tenifer metal treatment is Cyanide, the US EPA would not let Glock do the same treatment in the US. So for US made Glocks the Switched from the Tenifer metal treatment process to a Nitration metal treatment process. This process yields 99% of the benefits and hardness properties as Tenifer with out the Cyanide by product.

Oh yea Glock is doing a lot of construction in Smyrna, including a long (beyond pistol) test firing range. Although the Glock rifle has been rumored for the last decade. But since Glock makes US Glocks they now open themselves to new markets since there were still countries around the world that would not buy a German made Glocks.......the whole WW1 and WW2 thing.

[ricklee4570]

To set the record straight, the picture I posted is NOT where i scratched it with the brass punch. I scratched it with the brass punch under the slide where it would never be seen to test for scratch resistance.

The picture does not do it justice. No amount of cleaning with various gun cleaners can make the finish come back. I have to 10 year old Glock that has major holster wear. That is what this looks like. The scratches are revealing the slides natural color.

It looks like someone took a stainless steel brush and scratched the black off. My feelings are that this was probably a poor job from the factory. It was messed up during the assembly process and made it through quality control.

[ricklee4570]

And just to further clarify, the scratch I made with the punch is only a few millimeters in size.

As long as it shoots good I'm ok with it. I got the discount and from my research on melonite it looks like the outer surface finish has nothing to do with the protection or hardness.

I have heard from a few other XDS owners who reported light kydex holster use has left their XDS in the same appearance, so I think it is just not a durable outer finish overall, which is cosmetic in nature only.

[3shot]

Originally Posted by ajamesp51

Ok before anyone says I am spreading rumors.........I just re-certified and took another Glock Armorers course less than a month ago.

Since one of the byproducts of the Tenifer metal treatment is Cyanide, the US EPA would not let Glock do the same treatment in the US. So for US made Glocks the Switched from the Tenifer metal treatment process to a Nitration metal treatment process. This process yields 99% of the benefits and hardness properties as Tenifer with out the Cyanide by product.

Oh yea Glock is doing a lot of construction in Smyrna, including a long (beyond pistol) test firing range. Although the Glock rifle has been rumored for the last decade. But since Glock makes US Glocks they now open themselves to new markets since there were still countries around the world that would not buy a German made Glocks.......the whole WW1 and WW2 thing.

I always appreciate the education I receive from James on a daily basis.

[ajamesp51]

Originally Posted by 3shot

I always appreciate the education I receive from James on a daily basis.

This is the same thing that has been said for years, on various forums. Someone will take the Armorers course and let every one know. And of course they call the person crazy. Like my instructor said, they have a new long range. It does not make sense to test pistols at 100yrds does it. And the rumors have said a rifle is coming........adding two and two.

Nitration is the official name of Glocks US finish......not Tenifer not Melonite. Think name brands and tweaking the formula (This was actually on the test) to do the same thing, but calling it something different.

Black on Melonite, I was always told the last part after melonite was in the metal is the black Oxide or some sort was the last step. If you wear the bluing/black off an XD or Shield or Glock they still normally don't rust. The Melonite/Nitration/Tenifer is in the metal.

[3shot]

Originally Posted by ajamesp51

This is the same thing that has been said for years, on various forums. Someone will take the Armorers course and let every one know. And of course they call the person crazy. Like my instructor said, they have a new long range. It does not make sense to test pistols at 100yrds does it. And the rumors have said a rifle is coming........adding two and two.

Nitration is the official name of Glocks US finish......not Tenifer not Melonite. Think name brands and tweaking the formula (This was actually on the test) to do the same thing, but calling it something different.

Black on Melonite, I was always told the last part after melonite was in the metal is the black Oxide or some sort was the last step. If you wear the bluing/black off an XD or Shield or Glock they still normally don't rust. The Melonite/Nitration/Tenifer is in the metal.

Even more
Good stuff James. Thanks for the info