School me on parkerizing...

[g-man]

So I've got a buddy who I helped catch the gun bug a couple of years back who just picked up a Springfield Loaded Ultra Compact which is parkerized. Not sure which forums he's been reading, but in an email asking if there was anything special he needed to do re: the parkerization, he mentioned " I have been reading forums about 1911s and people are talking about them like they are so fragile that any little screw up will damage the gun and require (sometimes costly) repairs." Um, yeah... so I'm going to point him in this direction since I'm fairly sure I could use the slide of my Kimber as a hammer and it would still function. Not sure I'd do that with the aluminum frame, but I digress.

In any case, not having done any extensive research on care and handling of parkerized pistols, any recommendations? I understand a light (read LIGHT) oiling after range time or carry before storage is a good idea to help the finish, but how do those guns do with say holster wear from range usage?

[Netpackrat]

I bought all the stuff for parkerizing from Shooters' Solutions, got it shipped to Alaska. Welded up a stainless park tank. A gunsmith friend pointed out that I probably didn't want the fumes from the process in the same workshop where I keep my tools, airplane parts, and classic automobile parts. Mentioned that in shops where he's been, where parking was done, everything was subject to corrosion. And that's as far as I got; I never tried mixing up the solution or anything.

[Highspeed]

Caring for parkerization - it's maybe a notch above a good quality hot blue in terms of corrosion resistance, so it requires regular oiling and looking after. It will eventually wear, just like bluing. I like the patina myself.
Holster wear? that's above my pay grade...I barely handled a short gun until I emigrated.

I used to parkerize stuff , if anyone needs any help on the process I can give a little advice. Netpackrats gunsmith friend was right about the fumes by the way...

[HTRN]

One of the various bake on finishes over Parkerizing is one of the tougher homebrew finishes out there..