Sometimes you just want to change the color of your gun. Sometimes you want to increase the gun’s longevity. Regardless of the reasoning it all boils down to one question: What do I coat it with? There are three mainstream options that I am aware of: Moly Resin™, Duracoat and Cerakote™.
Photo by JP Visual Design. Green Moly Resin™ on my M&P 9.
Moly Resin™ is a trademarked product of John Norrell, from reading his website it looks like he starts with some chemical base that includes molybdenum disulfide (which has the word “moly” in it) and then adds some more chemicals. Moly Resin™ is advertised to provide corrosion resistance and, I can say from experience, bakes on and stays on. I have put around 15,000 rounds through my M&P since applying the coating and while there are some nicks from ejecting brass and a little holster wear I am generally pleased with how it has lasted and protected the gun. However, it does need to be baked on. It requires a little more equipment than I have laying around the apartment, since the recommended application is to a surface that has been freshly blasted with 80 to 90 grit aluminum and 60 to 80 psi.
Duracoat is designed to have a more simple application process but doesn’t make the “stick your gun in salt water” claims of Moly Resin™. Duracoat was designed for the average gun owner to be able to color their own firearm, it doesn’t require preheating, blasting or baking, all you really need is a spray gun and a place to work, which means I could do it in my apartment. I’m not much of a do it yourselfer (trust me, adding that Apex RAM all by myself was a big step) but I recognize a lot of gun owners are, and if you trust your own artistic abilities and all you want is a pretty gun Duracoat is a great option to have.
Cerakote™ was developed by NIC Industries and they by far have the best marketing on their website. Cerakote™ isn’t designed for easy home application as Duracoat is, but is more comparable to Moly Resin™ in that they are looking to provide increase corrosion resistance and durability. Cerakote™ even went so far as to hire an independent military testing facility to do impact and corrosion tests on their coating, they also provide classes and technical support for application of their products.
I don’t know if there’s a right answer to the question of which to use. I have experience with Moly Resin™ and I like it, but I have no experience with any of the other coating to compare it to. The best thing to do is always to shop smart and know what you want, how much you want to spend and how far out of your way you’re willing to go to get it.
dont forget KG Gunkote
i believe Cerakote has been tested at lasting the best overall
There’s also Birdsong’s Black-T. All the FBI’s 1911′s take a final trip to birdsongs before making their way to the hands of FBI agents. Their Teflon based coating has a pretty healthy following.
I have good results with Robars NP-3 and Rogard coatings.