stainless or polycoat?

[BTE]

I have chosen the 75B as my first gun, but I can't decide between stainless or polycoat finish.  I love the look of the polished stainless and that if it gets some wear on the outside, it will be easier to correct.  I am worried that over time the polycoat will begin to wear and look bad. 
The stainless of course costs more, but will it be worth it, being that it is my first handgun purchase?  I thought about spending less for my first one, and buying the stainless later, but it seems like I would be just spending more in the long run.

Thanks for any input.

[bozwell]

Get the one you like the look of.  Sounds like the answer is stainless 

[Stringfellow]

I had the same dilemma, and my decision was....Satin Nickel.

I still don't know how durable it will be, but the consensus is that the finish is more durable than polycoat and less maintenance than stainless, while costing only a bit more than poly and a lot less than stainless.

It is great to be in a situation in life where there is no real wrong decision...

Good luck!

[BTE]

Sringfellow, What do you mean when you say less maintenance than the stainless?  I would have assumed there wouldn't be any more than with other finishes, in fact I would have thought there would be less. 

[bang bang]

since this will be your first gun, buy the cheapest....the PC version.

that way if you drop it, ding it, scrape it or screw it up for any reason, you wont cry about it.

[Biggolden]

I've got three polycoat CZ's, one matte stainless CZ, and one bright stainless CZ. I've also owned a matte nickel compact CZ.

The nickel finish was pretty durable, but I had to be extra careful with it, because it showed scratches and wear more readily than the other finishes. The stainless guns will show scratches and a bit of holster wear over time, while the polycoat guns seem indestructible. I've owned the polycoat guns the longest, but they show the least wear of any kind.

In addition, I've read that there's a cheap Wal-Mart paint that perfectly matches the polycoat finish, for quick repairs (Black DH1602). While I've never used it, it might be worth testing.

[Stringfellow]

Sringfellow, What do you mean when you say less maintenance than the stainless?  I would have assumed there wouldn't be any more than with other finishes, in fact I would have thought there would be less. 

I assumed the same.  However, there are quite a few new threads on the Stainless forum section that discuss how difficult it is to preserve some of the stainless finishes.  A lot of folks end up just polishing them (which I hate).

As for the Nickel, first off you have to like the color scheme with the black controls, and you have to like the slightly gold hue vs. the stainless' silver hue.  As long as you don't scratch through the nickel plate, apparently flitz and judicious use of Scotchbrite pads will make any mar or superficial scratch less noticeable.  But Biggolden has longer term experience with Nickel, so do your homework before committing.  I suspect that a scratch to a Nickel finish could be at least diminished by rubbing a dab of the right shade of paint, much like the polycoat could.

In my Stringfellow Hawke fantasy world I would have unlimited funds and would buy a Stainless to go with my Mach 2 secret govt. attack helicopter.   But in my world I would rather save the $200 and go with the Nickel finish....

[Gman56]

  Yes stainless or polycoat is a choice we all go thru.I wanted a dual-tone 75b in 40 s&w nobody had one.I got a polycoat and she is very accurate!!Thursday I pick up a 9mil stainless hope its as accurate as the 40.Next I would love to get a CZ85.  I dont think they have a 10 rd mag set-up.If they only had a 15 rd version and not 16 I could get one.Jersey sucks 15 rd mags or less!

[jameslovesjammie]

Another vote for Satin Nickel.  The contrasting black controls and golden hues look fantastic.  Mine is a '99 and the nickel is VERY hard.  I have one scratch on it that I accidentally put using an all steel punch that slipped off. 

[tikosyn]

Are you going to holster it? I feel like the finishes will, for the most part (and excluding the occasional slip up) hold up if this will be a range toy only.

Now, if you decide to compete with it or carry it in a holster everyday, the gun will definitely take more wear.

[BTE]

No, I don't plan to carry it.  Like you said, it will be more of a range toy.
I am still looking, so it's still a possibility.

[1SOW]

The stainless has a second 'benefit'.  The beavertail is more upswept than the standard B polycoat (like mine).

[sfrenchy]

Get what you want but check them all out finish wise. I have the nickle 75B and love the matte finish. Some people like the polished stainless. I feel it's a bit gaudy and prefer the matte stainless. Some like the traditional black. Whatever-get what YOU like and I guarantee it won't be your last CZ.