Night Watchman Finish

[Joe Reilly]

How durable is the nitride finish on the Watchman pistols? It sure does look nice. But, so does Kimber’s Kimpro.

 

[hittman]

If that’s the same goop they apply to an LCR it’s indestructible.

 

[WAYNO]

I have the same finish on an old Sig. It has been indestructible.

 

[Cholo]

It sure does look nice. But, so does Kimber’s Kimpro.

 

[Milvax]

The nitride finish on the Watchman pistols is actually pretty tough, definitely more durable than Kimpro in my experience. Nitride is a surface treatment (melonite/tenifer type process) that actually changes the molecular structure of the metal rather than just coating it. Makes it super wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I haven't had my Watchman long enough to say. Doubt it will be used enough to know. But I have a nitride barrel on an AR I used a good bit for predator hunting in very nasty winter elements and it was banged around. Looks new.

 

[JackBull]

If that’s the same goop they apply to an LCR it’s indestructible.

The finish on my LCR is wearing off.

 

[Mike J]

I don't have any experience with a LCR or a Night Watchman. I have owned several striker fired pistols with a nitride finish. It is a very tough finish. It is possible to damage the black on the outside. The only time I ever did I was installing night sights on an XD pistol with a brass punch. The finish actually imbeds in the steel. It is very tough & rust resistant. I have never heard of a nitride finish rusting. Glock calls their nitride finish Tenifer, Springfield calls their Melonite, S&W calls theirs Armornite. These are all really tough strong finishes.