Can I polish the slide??

[djcorrell]

you could try diversified plating...i had some nickle parts done there. good work and reasonable.

 

[NikatKimber]

I wouldn't recommend it on a carry gun, but I did this on a .22 I have. Polished carbon steel. Has been like this for well over a year, and I've shot it a good bit. I just make sure to clean and oil it any time I handle it.

 

[grwd]

Steve, while you are correct that it takes time for a polished part to rust, the parts start oxidizing on the surface pretty quick. In fact, when bluing, once you polish (carding to be specific), the part needs to be blued within two hours because of the surface changes that begin taking effect.
but, you are right that if you keep it wiped down, bare carbon will last for a while, but it wont stay as pretty as it once was. I've got a frame sitting "in the white" in my safe now that is waiting for a project that I don't think has any surface rust on it yet, but I was assuming this gun would be shot a lot after the polish.

I thought Carding was what happened when you took your woman to the bar??