- Savage Blog
- Firearm Coatings: Cracking the Code from Cerakote to Bluing
Firearm Coatings: Cracking the Code from Cerakote to Bluing
For decades, choices were limited when it came to firearm coatings and finishes. Most manufacturers offered only the traditional blued finish on their firearms, with the occasional nickel-plated option also available. Today, there are options ranging from the traditional blued finish to stainless steel, to highly customizable Cerakote, and even more finishes!
In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular firearm coatings and finishes that we offer here at Savage. Each finish and coating has unique properties, and we’ll review what each coating does best and some of the most popular models we have today that we offer in each finish!
Common Firearm Coatings and Finishes
Bluing
Bluing is the most well-known of all the firearm coatings. It is the most common finish you’ll find on firearms today. Bluing traditionally was done through a controlled rusting process known as “rust bluing”. This led to the blue hue in the finish of the steel, giving the process its name. Today’s bluing is mostly hot bluing, which gives the black oxide finish seen on the barrels and actions of most firearms.
Stainless
Stainless isn’t so much a finish or a coating, rather it’s simply the use of stainless steel to make the barrel and action of a firearm. Stainless steel typically has a shiny finish, which isn’t beneficial for use in a hunting rifle. For Savage firearms made with stainless steel, the steel is blasted to give it a matte finish with no reflection, so you're not giving away your position in the stand.
Cerakote
Cerakote is a ceramic coating that is incredibly durable. It is applied in a fine mist over the action and barrel of a firearm, with a look that is very similar to if it were painted. Cerakote has become more widely used as a firearm coating, but it is also used in a variety of applications from automotive to aerospace industries due to its corrosion-resistant properties.
Comparing Each Coating
Bluing
A blued firearm with a well-oiled wood stock is a look that’s hard to beat! Many firearm owners enjoy a blued finish because it looks great and performs well in the field.
The bluing process provides a finish that offers rust protection for your firearm. While not completely rust-resistant, blued firearms that are properly maintained and stored can maintain a sleek finish and proper function for a lifetime of use.
Like any firearm, a blued firearm should be cleaned, well-oiled, and stored in a dry environment after use on a hunt or at the range.
Stainless
Stainless steel firearms are rugged and corrosion-resistant. The stainless steel finish naturally resists rust and corrosion, although it is not completely rust-proof.
These firearms are excellent for taking into rugged environments with adverse weather conditions, and you will often find these firearms in places like Alaska while hunting for bear.
Cerakote
Cerakote is abrasion, rust, and corrosion resistant, making it one of the most durable firearm coatings on the market. It’s a thin film ceramic that is sprayed onto a finished action and barrel, so it’s easy to apply.
Besides corrosion resistance, one of the greatest benefits of Cerakote is the ability to customize the look of your firearm. Cerakote comes in a wide variety of colors, making it easy for your barrel and action to complement your stock color. We use a variety of different Cerakote colors on our firearms, including bronze, tungsten, OD green, blackout, and several others.
Finishes and Coatings on Savage Firearms
At Savage, we offer a variety of rifles, shotguns, and handguns in each of the three firearm coatings and finishes that we’ve discussed so far. So whether you’re looking for that classic look or rugged weather resistance, we’ve got you covered! Here are a few of our most popular firearms in each finish.
Blued Firearms
Stainless Steel Firearms
Cerakote Firearms
Which Finish is Best for You?
When you’re picking your next firearm, you may wonder which of these firearm coatings or finishes is best for you? While all three are excellent choices for the vast majority of hunters and shooters, there are a few situations where certain firearm coatings and finishes excel. Here are a few examples!
Bluing is great for firearms that you’re taking for a quick trip to the range, or on shorter hunting trips! These firearms are likely getting wiped down when you get back home and cleaned regularly after shooting. If you’re hunting in coastal areas or places with extreme humidity, blued firearms may be more prone to rusting easily without extensive care.
Stainless steel is excellent for hunting in areas with higher moisture and humidity, where traditional blued firearms may be more prone to rusting and corrosion. They are also useful for prolonged hunting trips or backcountry hunts where you’ll be spending extended time in the field, or hunts in the late season in harsh conditions.
Cerakote firearms are great for any hunt or trip to the range. They excel on prolonged hunting trips, hunting in rough terrain, and hunting in inclement weather due to their corrosion-resistant coating. If you’re looking for a workhorse of a firearm that will still look great after you get back from a long hunting trip, a Cerakote-coated firearm is the right choice for you!
Whether you enjoy the classic look of a blued firearm or the customization of Cerakote, today’s rifles, shotguns, and handguns offer plenty of options for you to choose from! From quick trips to the range to a week of hunting the backcountry, having the right firearm with the right finish can make the difference in helping keep your favorite firearm in peak condition. No matter which choice you’re looking for, there’s a Savage firearm ready for you!
