Hardballing
Well-Known Member
Just got a G17 thru Jefferson Gun with this treatment.
These were a special run thru Lipsey's in which the slide (interior/exterior), barrel (interior/exterior), extractor, and slide release were treated with Fail Zero's "EXO" nickel boron coating. Mine was also an "upgraded" version with Ameriglo tritium front, surrounded by an orange ring, and an Ameriglo "ledge" rear tritium, set up in the "straight eight" format. Other than those changes, it's pure Gen 3 G17. Coloring is a very flat gold/flat earth tone with NO reflective capability.
First off, let's talk sights. These are AWESOME imo. Extremely easy to see in ANY light condition and every bit as fast as my previous favorite, the XS dot system (I prefer small dot, YMMV). EVERY bit as fast. This set up also offers the additional benefit of being able, through the ledge set up, of racking the slide against your belt, or even a pocket edge. Of course, any hard surface such as a doorway, door or desk edge, etc. will also work to allow single hand manipulation. Mine were regulated as dead on using Winchester 147 grn +p's at 15 yards. This is not a target set up, but a true combat sight that allows fast sight acquisition and delivery, and the ability to see your sights in total darkness if needed (that is leaving aside the issue of target identification of course).
On to the coating. Generic name for this stuff is nickel boron and it's gaining acceptance in a wide array of internal AR components. Point of fact is that the company here, Fail Zero, no longer offers pistol packages due to the workload on AR components for various government agencies. This coating alone, from other companies, varies from between $295-350 for the components listed. And, it works. If I understand it correctly, it is not a coating per se, but is a microbonding of approximately .02 microns that literally bonds with the steel underneath to provide a blended covering. It is guaranteed not to flake, chip, or peel. It's touted benefit is NO need for lubrication and the ability to simply wipe the part clean with a soft cloth. As far as using no lubrication goes...the jury is still out. I remember when Glocks first were introduced and that too was the claim then. Right up until you started seeing FTF, FTE in training classes from folks who believed what they read on the internet. So when I first shot the weapon and cleaned it, I did use small amounts of lube on rails, linkage, etc.
As far as the claim of simple wipe down, that is true 100% from what I've so far seen. I've only put about 300 rounds through it so far and each cleaning has consisted of simply breaking down the weapon, wiping with a soft cotton cloth, and reassembly prior to lube. That includes the breechface, barrel ramp and the rifling too is simply spotless after a simple run thru with a dry cloth. NO bore cleaner, solvent, etc. All debris simply wipes off with no rubbing or scrubbing. Now I've been a big fan of Tennifer, that too is pretty nice stuff and I've used it as THE standard against which I've compared Melonite, polymer coatings, etc. I've always found everything else wanting against the Tennifer process until now. Imo, this product is superior to that and if the claim about wear is true, you should not see the "shininess" that results over time to Glocks through either use of Kydex holsters or repeated drawstrokes/carry. Again, I don't have a lot of miles on this pistol yet and one of the reasons I bought it was to test what I'd been reading about EXO/Fail Zero/Nickel Boron but to date, I'm sold on it.
More info to follow as I shoot it more but if you'd like your Glock to be just a tad different, or were searching for "the ultimate" in durable finishes, you might want to track down one of these models (they were a VERY limited offering with G17's, 19's, 26's, 27's, and 23"s, with not all models having the sight system I described). As of today, some are still available through Gunbroker at prices from standard Glock (499-529) to ridiculous prices (700-900). BUt they are not making them anymore at this time due to prior commitments by Fail Zero. You could of course always get this treatment done through another vendor (they are out there if you Google "nickel boron firearm coating) but expect to pay a $250-350 premium depending on the parts you want done. That made, imo, my G17 EXO a bargain, especially since it came with the upgraded sights. I paid $599 OTD on mine and didn't quibble if I got it for $20 more than some, or $15 less than others. WELL satisified.
Get em while they're hot. This one is a keeper I think. Hope this helps.
These were a special run thru Lipsey's in which the slide (interior/exterior), barrel (interior/exterior), extractor, and slide release were treated with Fail Zero's "EXO" nickel boron coating. Mine was also an "upgraded" version with Ameriglo tritium front, surrounded by an orange ring, and an Ameriglo "ledge" rear tritium, set up in the "straight eight" format. Other than those changes, it's pure Gen 3 G17. Coloring is a very flat gold/flat earth tone with NO reflective capability.
First off, let's talk sights. These are AWESOME imo. Extremely easy to see in ANY light condition and every bit as fast as my previous favorite, the XS dot system (I prefer small dot, YMMV). EVERY bit as fast. This set up also offers the additional benefit of being able, through the ledge set up, of racking the slide against your belt, or even a pocket edge. Of course, any hard surface such as a doorway, door or desk edge, etc. will also work to allow single hand manipulation. Mine were regulated as dead on using Winchester 147 grn +p's at 15 yards. This is not a target set up, but a true combat sight that allows fast sight acquisition and delivery, and the ability to see your sights in total darkness if needed (that is leaving aside the issue of target identification of course).
On to the coating. Generic name for this stuff is nickel boron and it's gaining acceptance in a wide array of internal AR components. Point of fact is that the company here, Fail Zero, no longer offers pistol packages due to the workload on AR components for various government agencies. This coating alone, from other companies, varies from between $295-350 for the components listed. And, it works. If I understand it correctly, it is not a coating per se, but is a microbonding of approximately .02 microns that literally bonds with the steel underneath to provide a blended covering. It is guaranteed not to flake, chip, or peel. It's touted benefit is NO need for lubrication and the ability to simply wipe the part clean with a soft cloth. As far as using no lubrication goes...the jury is still out. I remember when Glocks first were introduced and that too was the claim then. Right up until you started seeing FTF, FTE in training classes from folks who believed what they read on the internet. So when I first shot the weapon and cleaned it, I did use small amounts of lube on rails, linkage, etc.
As far as the claim of simple wipe down, that is true 100% from what I've so far seen. I've only put about 300 rounds through it so far and each cleaning has consisted of simply breaking down the weapon, wiping with a soft cotton cloth, and reassembly prior to lube. That includes the breechface, barrel ramp and the rifling too is simply spotless after a simple run thru with a dry cloth. NO bore cleaner, solvent, etc. All debris simply wipes off with no rubbing or scrubbing. Now I've been a big fan of Tennifer, that too is pretty nice stuff and I've used it as THE standard against which I've compared Melonite, polymer coatings, etc. I've always found everything else wanting against the Tennifer process until now. Imo, this product is superior to that and if the claim about wear is true, you should not see the "shininess" that results over time to Glocks through either use of Kydex holsters or repeated drawstrokes/carry. Again, I don't have a lot of miles on this pistol yet and one of the reasons I bought it was to test what I'd been reading about EXO/Fail Zero/Nickel Boron but to date, I'm sold on it.
More info to follow as I shoot it more but if you'd like your Glock to be just a tad different, or were searching for "the ultimate" in durable finishes, you might want to track down one of these models (they were a VERY limited offering with G17's, 19's, 26's, 27's, and 23"s, with not all models having the sight system I described). As of today, some are still available through Gunbroker at prices from standard Glock (499-529) to ridiculous prices (700-900). BUt they are not making them anymore at this time due to prior commitments by Fail Zero. You could of course always get this treatment done through another vendor (they are out there if you Google "nickel boron firearm coating) but expect to pay a $250-350 premium depending on the parts you want done. That made, imo, my G17 EXO a bargain, especially since it came with the upgraded sights. I paid $599 OTD on mine and didn't quibble if I got it for $20 more than some, or $15 less than others. WELL satisified.
Get em while they're hot. This one is a keeper I think. Hope this helps.
Last edited:
