Timothy - It is neither - It is chrome. MAC chromes these ... and I can tell you for sure, my MAC Bobcut shoots rings around the majority of other pistols in it's price range. MAC is making some very nice, very functional 1911s, and the 'out of the box' trigger is very nice. Their blued version is actually 'blued' too, not some mystery 'matte black' finish they simply call 'blued'. If you get this, I am confident you will like it.

Hi Timothy, This Slide is Steel with a Chrome Finish. SPECS - 4140 Steel Frame & Hammer Forged Steel Slide with a "Hard Chrome Finish". picture here - google.com/search?q=MAC+M19BC45C+1911+Bobcut+SAO+45+ACP+4.25%22+8%2B1+Hardwood+w/Logo+Hard+Chrome&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiDtrq8xq3iAhVLc98KHdBnCpsQ_AUIDygC&biw=1280&bih=596#imgrc=fzYN3djqTOHn4M

Timothy, the \"Slide\" is Steel with a \"Hard Chrome Finish\". 4140 Steel Frame & Hammer Forged Steel Slide with a \"Hard Chrome Finish\". Better picture here : google.com/search?q=MAC+M19BC45C+1911+Bobcut+SAO+45+ACP+4.25%22+8%2B1+Hardwood+w/Logo+Hard+Chrome&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiDtrq8xq3iAhVLc98KHdBnCpsQ_AUIDygC&biw=1280&bih=596#imgrc=fzYN3djqTOHn4M: