Witch Finish lasts the longest? CZ85B or Combate

[gunrunner12]

The blue is the cheapest finish, would this wear faster than the other finishs?

Witch color is the best? with holster use in mind.

[Radom]

I see this question a lot.  Maybe I should do another "sticky" for the FAQ section.  It's not a question I feel fully qualified to answer for a number of reasons, mostly because I have only owned the polycoat models.  Here goes:

CZ-USA currently imports pistols in one of four finish options:

1) Black polycoat
2) Glossy blue
3) Satin nickel
4) Dual tone

There is also a matte blue finish, but no pistols with this finish are being imported by CZ-USA at this time.

CZ 85Bs have been offered in both black polycoat and glossy blue, at least according to the 2001 catalog.  The 2002 catalog no longer gives glossy blue as an 85B option.  

CZ 85 Combats come in all four options.  

Black polycoat is the default option and the least expensive finish.  There are several models that only come in this finish: CZ 75B SA, CZ 75BD, CZ 75 DAO, etc.  Depending on who you ask, this is either tied for first place or is the second-most durable.  It is susceptible to being chipped if struck hard enough (please don't ask!).  Apparently, kydex holsters will "cut" this finish, much as is seen on Glocks.  Theoretically, it is maintenance-free.  

Satin nickel is supposed to be either the best all-around finish, or tied with polymer.  This is a coating over carbon steel, not stainless steel.  Like the polymer, it is weatherproof, etc.  My understanding is that a holster can't hurt it.  Theoretically, it too is maintenance-free.  

Glossy blue is very attractive, but it is definitely the least durable.  The elements and oil from your skin will damage it.  Leather holsters will damage this finish.  I believe the tannic acid from the leather corrodes the bluing, but I'm not exactly sure what causes it.  Bluing must be treated with oil or similar products to protect the finish.  (This is all true of bluing in general, not just CZs.)

Dual tone is a glossy blue slide on a satin nickel frame.  It is visually quite striking, but it still has the drawbacks of the glossy blue.  I have a "two-tone" pistol from another manufacturer, and it is a bit of a challenge.  (You tell yourself that you will be careful and only touch the frame during handling, but it never works that way.)

My guess is that the satin nickel is best for use with a holster.

[Radom]

I just double checked, and I may have told you something incorrect.  The "other" part of the dual tone may be polycoat, not glossy blue.  I'll try to find out for you (and myself).  At least one pistol, the CZ 75 Champion uses glossy blue and satin nickel, but the 85 Combat apppears to use polycoat and satin nickel.

[gunrunner12]

Hi  FEG

Did you find out about the two tone?

thanks

[Radom]

I can't confirm with CZ-USA until they see my e-mail message on Monday.  Hakan has told me that the confusion arose because the 85 Combat slide is matte blue (which is why it doesn't appear "glossy").  Apparently, matte blue entire guns are not being imported, but the slides are matte blue on stock models finished in dual tone.  The semi-custom models (Champion, etc.) appear to have glossy blue slides, as I reported.

[Radom]

Semi-custom (Champion, etc.) models have matte blue slides NOT glossy blue, as I first reported.

Stock models in dual tone (75B, 85 Combat, etc.) have matte blue slides on a satin nickel frame.

Entire pistols in matte blue are not imported at this time.  Apparently, the matte blue looks a LOT like black polycoat.  One way to tell them apart is to look at the internals: a matte blue slide is also colored on the inside, while polycoat isn't.