I prefer blued over nickel. I have a permanent stain/scarring on my Traditions nickel sidelock from ignition flash. I also have darkness around the nipple from fouling baked-in from heat!

The soft extruded barrels from Spaindo get hotter than my T/Cs, Knights... ie... Green Mountains when adapting them to identical situations involving heat. An easy test to compare is by putting a funnel over the muzzle and slowly pouring a quart of your hottest tap water down the bore -- then with an open hand grab each manufacturer barrel around 30 seconds after pouring. Youshould feel the difference! At least I do!

Stainless is the best of the three barrel coatings offered. IfI ever purchase another nickel, I will get it teflon-coated.

These are my findings..... yours/others here may have different findings.