refinishing 1911

10mmfan · July 01 2014 07:23:29 PM MDT

I bought the scope mount for 1911's the mounts using the slide release I put it on to see if I like it, I don't but when I removed it it scratched the heck out of the right side. I have had a 1911 cerakoted before but is their a better option?

MOUNTAIN WILLIAM · July 02 2014 06:30:42 AM MDT

My personal preference is hard chrome with Robar's NP3+ running a close second. These have different characteristics to be sure but each are very good at what they do. With the single exception being a 40 cal Browning Hi Power, I haven't owned a blue traditional handgun in over 25 years.

gandog56 · July 02 2014 07:39:42 AM MDT

I have been looking at people that put a Titanium Carbo Nitrate coating on their pistols. Looks interesting.

sqlbullet · July 02 2014 09:27:51 AM MDT

There are better options. Those options typically are more money too.

The big draw to Cerakote is the ability to DIY and get a pretty good result. I redid my Witness and the slide of my Para a few years back, and they are still good looking.

The muzzle end of the Para is showing some wear right at the edges. These are high rub areas when carrying, which that gun gets quite a bit. Also, it is Cerakote over stainless, which doesn't adhere quite as well as it does to carbon steel.

The Witness got parkerized before the cerakote, and it is a tank. The parkerizing process hardens the surface, but also makes it a bit porous. This give the coating more surface area to adhere too, which in my mind is better all around.

If you are going to pay to have it done, I would suggest you get bids for a couple of different finishes. Robar NP3 and TiCN are at the top of my list for "best" but don't get the nod when I compare the price tag to Cerakote DIY. Cerakote is really, really good and affordable.

DenStinett · July 02 2014 08:58:52 PM MDT

There's Black Ice Coatings
http://www.blackicecoatings.com/teflon-coating.html

I had my Witness Slides Coated Black

harleyhopper · July 10 2014 01:24:28 PM MDT

I've really been thinking of doing my RIA in black nitride. Been toying around with this all week. Going to remove the sights and springs when I get home from VA. Steve

gandog56 · July 11 2014 05:58:14 AM MDT

My Fusion Firearms has a Black Oxide finish I think is pretty snazzy.

harleyhopper · July 11 2014 09:54:38 AM MDT

Yes............that it does. From what I've researched, the black nitride looks similiar. My Kimber Eclipse has black oxide on parts of it. I believe that's what Kimbers have.

redbaron007 · July 11 2014 01:52:23 PM MDT

Dats purdy!

harleyhopper · August 02 2014 05:51:31 PM MDT

I sent my RIA to H&M Metal Processing in Akron, Ohio for their black nitride treatment. Simply awesome. One week turnaround, too, door to door. Pics just don't show how amazing it really is.

harleyhopper · August 02 2014 05:55:22 PM MDT

Sights, springs and such had to be removed. I debated on getting the barrel done but decided to go ahead. I went ahead and did the magwell even though it will probably never go on. Steve

harleyhopper · August 02 2014 05:58:04 PM MDT

I can shoot this Rock better than my Eclipse, mainly because the trigger is simply amazing. The Kimber is being tweaked, though. Steve
I thought the sights might have to be tweaked according to the bore sighter......but I think I'll leave them alone. This was at 10 yds.

harleyhopper · August 02 2014 06:00:30 PM MDT

Here are both. Today, I took a look at the ignition components of the Kimber. Didn't like the looks of the sear. Put it in my True Radius sear jig. Touched it up with a ceramic stone. Did the hammer hooks as well to confirm 90 degrees. Tweaked the searr spring a tad. Got the trigger somewhat better. Gonna try it out Mon. Steve