P380: Black slide or not to black slide?

[indiggio]

All,

I'm trying to decide on whether to go with the black slide or the original stainless slide and would like to hear your opinions.

From what I understand, the black slide is just some sort of coating on the original stainless slide.

This leads me to believe that over time and normal use, it's gonna get scuffed and scratched and probably eventually look pretty bad?? I guess "bad" is subjective, as some may not care about scuffs and scratches as they view it as normal wear, others may be annoyed by them?

Does the coating wear off through repeated holstering?
Is it subject to scratches from rings, keys, shells, tools, etc.?

I saw a new one and even that one appeared to already have marks on it, probably just from test handling. The dealer said "I view the pistol as a tool and it's going to get scuffed up."

I like the looks of the black slide, but my OCD-side is telling me to steer clear, as it's gonna get marred and drive me nutz with each and every mark.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks!

[jocko]

it could the dlc finish is like glocks tennifer finish. It is extremely durable. no to say it is not possble tomakr it, If ur gonna abuse it, then stay clear of it, normal use, u willnot damage it. I wold buy the dlc finsih, if it was my buying it, even if down the road it worn in certain places.

thi might help u make up ur mind;

FOUND THIS INFO.:A couple of years back Kahr decided to discontinue carbon steel guns and manufacture all slides and steel frames from stainless steel. Most consumers liked the corrosion resistance of stainless.
However, Kahr quickly discovered that not all consumers wanted bright and shiny guns. In dim light, the glint of a stainless slide being withdrawn by an undercover operative could lead to fatal complications.
To solve this problem and darken the stainless slide, Kahr flirted briefly with baked-on Teflon used by many manufacturers but found the results less than satisfactory. The economy of the finish was appealing to Kahr, but is soon discovered that the cosmetics were short-lived. Kahr tried another process that required substantial heat. This actually changed the metal's molecular structure and made it more brittle. Finally, Kahr developed its proprietary Tungsten Diamond-Like-Coating (Tungsten DLC), which uses a process called Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition to coat the parts.
Tungsten DLC is applied in a vacuum chamber where cathodes transform the tungsten into a gas that plates the parts. The process increases the surface hardness to a whopping 90 on the Rockwell C scale. Just for comparison, your average 1911 frame will register about 28 to 30 on the same scale.
One of the best selling points of the Diamond-Like Coating in that the parts are never heated over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so there's no need to worry about the parts losing their temper, softening, or becoming brittle. Also, only about two microns of the material is deposited on the slide. In case you're wondering, that amounts to about 80 millionths of an inch-far too little to affect the parts' function or fit.
Kahr's Tungsten DLC thoroughly impresses me. Not only does it perform its intended task of coloring the bright stainless steel to a matte, non-reflective black, it also provides a tough, corrosion-proof covering that is virtually scratch proof. And it will not wear even when subjected to extensive holster carry. For a gun that will be used exclusively for concealed carry, the Tungsten DLC finish makes a lot of sense

[indiggio]

Bah!

Reading through that has thrown an wrench into my decision-making process.

I don't like shiny. I don't want shiny. I agree that a black gun, especially for CC, is the way to go.

Still I find it hard to believe that 80 millionths of an inch is going to stand up to (ab)use.

I mean I can't just go to a dealer and say "Can I rake my ring across the slide and see if this TDLC is going to stand up to it?" I'm sure the response is going to be, "Sure, after you buy it, do whatever you want!"

Hopefully some who have the black slide will chime in...

Thanks!

[socialwork911]

I have a black one.., but only for a few weeks...no problems...

[JAAR]

I've had the black P380 for over a year now. I carry it in a desantis superfly pocket holster, and the gun shows no signs of wear on the slide. It holds up really good to normal and intended use. I dont know about keys and rings and the such, havent and wont try to purposely scratch it. PS: I think the P380 looks best dressed all black.

[Bmxovich]

Once you go black, you'll never go back...lol. Seriously, I'm a pretty anal individual when it comes to aesthetics, and have a lot of experience with surface coatings. I appreciate polished shiny bobbles more than most, but the DLC coating on my PM9 is impressive. I can't see it developing any issues unless abused, or possibly years and years of carry use. I'd go for it, I think you'll be very pleased. Especially if you want a black finish anyway, I wouldn't think twice. Curious, wonder if Kahr would refurbish a slide with the DLC down the road for a fee? Any insite into the possibility?

[indiggio]

Once you go black, you'll never go back...lol. Seriously, I'm a pretty anal individual when it comes to aesthetics, and have a lot of experience with surface coatings. I appreciate polished shiny bobbles more than most, but the DLC coating on my PM9 is impressive. I can't see it developing any issues unless abused, or possibly years and years of carry use. I'd go for it, I think you'll be very pleased. Especially if you want a black finish anyway, I wouldn't think twice. Curious, wonder if Kahr would refurbish a slide with the DLC down the road for a fee? Any insite into the possibility?

Indeed, I'm much the same way.

I like things that are shiny and supposed to be shiny (chrome on my Harley) and try my hardest to keep them that way.

However, when it comes to guns, to me shiny isn't a particular adjective I'd necessarily be looking to use for them.

I was wondering the exact same thing, if Kahr would refinish a slide if it would get seriously raked or something???

Thanks!

[indiggio]

I've had the black P380 for over a year now. I carry it in a desantis superfly pocket holster, and the gun shows no signs of wear on the slide. It holds up really good to normal and intended use. I dont know about keys and rings and the such, havent and wont try to purposely scratch it. PS: I think the P380 looks best dressed all black.

I agree that it (and for that matter any pistol) looks best dressed in black...

[Wlfman13]

Bah!

Reading through that has thrown an wrench into my decision-making process.

I don't like shiny. I don't want shiny. I agree that a black gun, especially for CC, is the way to go.

Still I find it hard to believe that 80 millionths of an inch is going to stand up to (ab)use.

I mean I can't just go to a dealer and say "Can I rake my ring across the slide and see if this TDLC is going to stand up to it?" I'm sure the response is going to be, "Sure, after you buy it, do whatever you want!"

Hopefully some who have the black slide will chime in...

Thanks!

If you do rake your ring across the slide, expect to see a gold "scratch". That gold "scratch" will not be caused by removal of the black coating. The mark you see will be gold that came off your ring. I believe the DLC coating is similar to the coating on my Kershaw Shallot knife. That coating is harder than any ring I own, and would (and does) rub gold off of my ring if I rubbed my ring across it. The coating on the knife has not been compromised at all, and I don't baby it - which is why the P380 I buy this week will be black.

[Charlie98]

Black is 'in.' I have a P45 with the black slide and really wish my CW9s had it. Nicks or light scratches? That's all part of the character of a working gun.

[muggsy]

In a SHTF scenario the perp is only going to see the shine of your slide for a micro second before he is blinded by the muzzle flash. Whether you go with a SS or blackened slide is strictly a matter of personal preference. The saying that once you've gone black you'll never go back is a myth. Kahr's stainless slide has a matte finish. Only the gun shines. Not the slide.

[RRP]

Traditionalists may prefer the black slide. I really like the two-tone look. And I like the practicality of a stainless steel slide, which has no finish to show wear.

[Chogers]

Anyone know how much Kahr would charge to have a Stainless Steel Slide dipped in Tugsten DLC? And if that is the most durable coating on slides why don't all gun makers use it?

[rjt123]

Anyone know how much Kahr would charge to have a Stainless Steel Slide dipped in Tugsten DLC? And if that is the most durable coating on slides why don't all gun makers use it?

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