Duty Finish or stainless

[Tanners Owner]

Am looking to get a DW Specalist

So question is - should I get the duty finish or stainless versions

Am usually inclined toward stainless & it is the cheaper of the two, but read reports of galling

Am impressed w/ positive reports on the duty finish, but notice you must not use certain cleaners.

What say you & why.

Thanks in advance

[m3scott]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think both are stainless bead blasted, and the Duty treatment is applied over the stainless. 

I have a Guardian, but do not have any experience with the stainless.

[IronicTwitch]

I've got the Specialist and ECO, both in duty treatment.  I use the Specialist for USPSA and have about 1,500+ rounds and lots of dry fire practice.  I've been very impressed with how well the black on the magwell is holding up.  The rest of the gun looks like new even after hundreds of draws from kydex holster.

I've heard the stainless needs a little more attention during the first few hundred rounds to keep it very very well oiled and don't run it hard.  Recommend with either finish you hand cycle a lot before you run live rounds (which warms up the metal which leads to galling).  This cold weather might be a good time for some break in outdoor shooting.

Lube concerns, just use oil based stuff to keep the finish from drying out essentially.  I've been impressed with M Pro7.

[Tanners Owner]

Thanks for feedback

[tnthat]

I have both finishes and prefer the duty finish, just like the looks better. Will probably sell my SS Valor and replace it with another black gun.

[incursore]

Duty for me

[adamknc]

Looking at the Valor in SS finish. Any issues?  They mad some limited runs of other colors for certain dealers. Don't really like as much. I plan on using mostly as a range gun. Have my CZ-SP01 Tactical for more sport/competitive stuff.

Any thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[twowheels]

The Dans are all stainless (except for alloy frame guns) and the duty treat guns get extra treatment to make them duty treat.  We've got 3 Dans, a heritage, an ECO and a duty treat specialist.  The heritage has a couple thousand rounds through it and it shows a bit of wear.  I don't mind it but its reality.  The other two are pristine and show no wear; the ECO has a couple thousand rounds through it and the specialist has going on 500.  The duty treat is more durable and also feels "slicker".  I'm a fan of it.  The galling issue is overblown and easily remedied with some hand lapping if it manifests.   This issue doesn't even enter into the equation in my mind.   

I prefer the duty treat guns but fully understand wondering if its worth the extra $$$.  I've been there myself and can tell you I think its worth it.  I prefer the look and feel and the extra finish durability is a plus.  Most people stop thinking about what they paid for a gun once its in hand.     

[605603rwhp]

You can't beat the Duty Treat for wear or toughness.

I have a DT VBob 45, a DT ECO 9mm, CBob 10mm, (custom all black), a custom 2 tone VBob 9mm, DT slide & parts, SS frame, A SS Ed Brown Special Forces carry bobtail in SS.

Like others may have stated, run them soaking wet, hand cycle hundreds of times while watching TV etc. If you're getting a 9mm Specialist use 147gr to break it in.

George

[adamknc]

Just got the Valor in Stainless.  Love it!  Looks great.  Shoots like a dream.  Have about 200 rounds through it and not one failure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chrisbritt15]

You could do what I did. Get the stainless shoot it for a while or in my case carry it. Then when it looks a little rough send it in for duty treatment.  Something else to consider.  DW released their carbon steel valor in blued. It's priced between the stainless and the black one. That will be my next purchase.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[Coop45]

 Two ECO's....I like the duty finish.

[macktheknife]

I have a stainless valor, great gun. It does look nicer in black. No galling issues at all, just make sure to keep it lubed.

[dohc97]

I have the Stainless and love it.  As said earlier, you need to keep it wet for the first couple of hundreds of rounds.  I maybe have about 700 rounds thru mine and it has been perfect for the last 400 rounds.

[CZ Aficionado]

Had both a specialist and guardian in the duty coat.....both were durable and the look is better than the stainless IMHO....to each his own, the extra $300 is the real question, if your going to keep it get the duty, if your the type that rotates guns regularly go stainless.