Because it's tough as shit and will probably outlast you. I've dropped a ceracoated rifle 3+ feet onto a rock before landing right on the barrel and it didn't do anything but scuff the finish. Cerakote and duracoat are the shit when it comes to firearm finishes.
Well, I carry a Spingfield Armory 1911 Champion Operator as an off duty gun. It goes in and out of different holsters depending on the days activities. I have had it duracoated twice and the dura coat for some reason is just not holding up. Next step for me is cerakote. Dura Coat is sprayed on and allowed to air dry or cure. I am not sure if it is baked on like the cerakote. The cerakote aka gunkote is sprayed on the gun and then is heated or baked. The chemical make up of the gunkote combined with the heat gets int the pours of the metal and then bonds with it. Cerakote also has a lubricant benefit as to where dura coat does not. Correct me if I am wrong but this is how it was explained to me. ARpreditor I believe does alot of aftermarket paint jobs and does nice work.
I had Fords hard chrome a HK P7 that I carry every day.
It still looks like the day I got it back from them.
I don't have to worry about rust & it shows no holster wear from my MS VS2. They did a great job on my pistol.
Zebra, you mentioned lubricating properties which implies internals. I looked around and saw indeed some say it can be used as such. Anyone used regular cerakote on internals? There is a cerakote 'microslick' also.
I have Cerakoted the internal moving parts behind the side plate of S&W revolvers. Pins, hammer, everything. The revolver was in very poor shape to begin with, so I figured no harm. It turned out very well. When applied correctly Cerakote is very thin.
Rob
CCR Refinishing has a finish called Cera-Hide that's supposed to be self lubricating. I've talked to people that got it & they say it's great. Check em' out!
I've heard of people baking on their duracoat finishes much like cerakote and have had really good results. You could always buy the duracoat starter kit in a bottle in case you don't feel like throwing down a lot of money for the whole paint system.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dcskater602</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Its not that duracoat is crap.. it is what it is.. Its essentially a really nice spray paint (dont take that the wrong way)..
Cerakote has a much harder application process.. So of course it better be stronger </div></div>
I thought the duracoat was way more of a pita than Cerakote was and not worth the effort.