Stainless steel is NOT stainless steel when it's a Weihrauch STL airgun!!! It seems the more people I tell this the less seem to have any clue they are not stainless nor are they nickel. No need to argue or be sarcastic and don't ask what is it, I do not know precisely what it is. Ask Weihrauch they are the ones who do know, if I had to guess I'd say it's a baked on finished but I have no proof of that. I emailed them about 2 years ago and they said it's a stainless look coating but that was it. So if you didn't know now you do, it's not stainless or nickel, brushed, plated or otherwise. If you look at HW's own web page they NEVER state stainless steel or nickel anywhere other than mention "stainless-look" finish!