THE FINAL TOUCH: CHOOSING THE RIGHT FINISH FOR YOUR FIREARM
Steel and serrations don’t tell the whole story. The finish is where the fight happens - it’s your shield against sweat, weather, and hard use. It’s also the first thing people notice when you draw, and the detail that makes your pistol stand out from the pack.
At AAF, we don’t do cookie-cutter. Every Alpha American comes with a standard DLC finish, one of the toughest finishes out there and trusted by serious shooters who run their guns hard. We want your pistol to still look mean after thousands of rounds.
Not your style? We offer Nitride and Cerakote, because personalization shouldn’t end at the trigger.
DLC: Diamond Tough, Stealth Ready
What it is:
DLC lives up to the name. It’s a carbon finish with diamond like hardness. That means low friction, scratch resistance, and corrosion protection. The result? The slide runs smoother, surfaces hold up to abuse, and the finish stays sharp even after heavy use.
What it looks like:
DLC is a satin black that is clean and professional. It makes a carry gun look slick and a competition pistol look dominant. If you want durability that doesn’t flinch and a finish that never looks tired - DLC is the way to go!
Nitride: The Workhorse Finish
What it is:
Nitride isn’t just a coating, it’s a treatment that changes the steel itself. The process hardens the surface making it tougher against wear and rust, while cutting down on friction which makes everything run smoother.
What it looks like:
Nitride has a smooth, dark appearance that ranges from a deep black to a slightly glossy charcoal depending on the polish of the surface beneath it. It’s clean and purpose driven - built to perform, but sharp enough to stand out. We also offer a Battleworn version that carries all the toughness of nitride, with the character of a battle-tested firearm.
Cerakote: Built Tough, Styled Bold
What it is:
Cerakote is a ceramic-based coating baked directly onto the metal of the firearm’s surface. The result is a lightweight but strong shell that delivers protection for your investment.
What it looks like:
Cerakote is where function meets personality. There are endless patterns and choices you can make that allows you to show off without giving up performance. You can go subtle with earthy tones, do different types of camos, or all out custom. Cerakote says: this one is mine.
Why We Offer Options
Every shooter is different. Some want a pistol that stays under the radar, some want low maintenance performance, and others want a firearm that turns heads at the range. At Alpha American Firearms, we offer all three finishes because your pistol should reflect not only your mission, but also your style.
Whether you’re carrying every day, training hard, or building a custom pistol that is all your own, the finish you choose is the last step in making your firearm truly Alpha.