XDS Slide Finish--Is this normal???

[ajamesp51]

Originally Posted by 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.

I promise you there are countless threads here of people that truly believe that the rivets from their jeans scratched the junkie finish.........just like your describing. After using a chemical cleaner like Hoppes 9 and letting it sit and work pulled the scratches up.

What color is the scratches, they seem kind of golden looking scuffs from the picture.

[Medic1210]

Originally Posted by ajamesp51

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.

I can attest to this... The photo below is of my G23 that I hand rubbed the slide and barrel to remove a well-worn finish. It never started to even hint of rust despite daily carry IWB.

[ajamesp51]

Originally Posted by Medic1210

I can attest to this... The photo below is of my G23 that I hand rubbed the slide and barrel to remove a well-worn finish. It never started to even hint of rust despite daily carry IWB.

I like that it looks pewter almost.

[ricklee4570]

Originally Posted by ajamesp51

I promise you there are countless threads here of people that truly believe that the rivets from their jeans scratched the junkie finish.........just like your describing. After using a chemical cleaner like Hoppes 9 and letting it sit and work pulled the scratches up.

What color is the scratches, they seem kind of golden looking scuffs from the picture.

I will give Hoppes 9 a try tonight when I get home. The scratches are white. Under magnification it looks like the black is worn down to the slides natural color. I did use Break Free CLP on it, and scrubbed it with a nylon brush and several microfiber towels. Did nothing. I then put some Outers Nitro Solvent on it and scrubbed and nothing. I will try the Hoppes and this time let it sit for a while. I will be surprised if these are just marks on top of the black finish, but we will see.

Thanks for your ideas and for taking the time to help!

[SHV]

to the OP- After initial cleaning and wipe down, I had virtually the identical scratches. The gun I got was new stock taken from the dealer's back room, thus had not been handled. It did not show prior to the initial wipedown,

I've had XD, XDM, and now the XDS- in my opinion, the finishes from the factory are subpar compared to other manufacturer's guns that I have owned. As you have said though, if it shoots and doesn't rust, as a carry gun it's a non issue, just a disappointment. Just my opinion....

[ricklee4570]

Originally Posted by ajamesp51

I promise you there are countless threads here of people that truly believe that the rivets from their jeans scratched the junkie finish.........just like your describing. After using a chemical cleaner like Hoppes 9 and letting it sit and work pulled the scratches up.

What color is the scratches, they seem kind of golden looking scuffs from the picture.

Last night I tried using the Hoppes 9, I let it soak on the gun for about 30 minutes, keeping it wet. I then used a nylon brush and scrubbed it. I did the same on the underside where I used the brass punch.

The brass punch mark was removed completely. Looks like new there.

The slide, no change. Looks EXACTLY the same. As a matter of fact, I found that afterwards when I put a coat of CLP on it, the CLP made the scratches stand out even more. When the slide is wet, it is more noticable.

The right side of the slide looks great, the top has some dark and light spots (uneven finish?) and the left is scratched up pretty good. Had another guy who just bought an XDS PM me and he said his was the same, so I am assuming they came from the factory this way.

No big deal to me, as I will be carrying it and I dont care about the scratches. This is a user gun not a show gun. At the price I got it at, Im happy.

[fpdsniper]

Here you go:

Amazon

Amazon

I sell these too, but I can't do it with free shipping like they can. Make sure you choose the Flat Black option. It won't match your slide "perfectly", but I doubt anyone would ever notice.

Donnie

[Oldster]

I don't use the gear holster because it's right handed and i'm not, lol