Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Re-finish for a 1911 style pistol
Q. Hello guys,
I am wondering about the pros/cons of refinishing a restored 1911 style pistol frame and slide.
My questions are as follows....
The safest way to remove the original parkerized finish?
The gun is most likely not SS under the parker coat, what would give me the best cosmetic finish? I was thinking highly buffed copper, nickel and light chrome. I want to stay away from the black/blue tint the chrome gives but keep the mirror polish potential intact.
Thanks,
EE - Orlando, Florida, USA
2007
A. Ross, take it to a good gunsmith. Parkerizing can be polished off, but it is a chemical reaction with the metal, not just a coating. If you have the frame and slide plated (chrome, nickel, etc.) everything will have to be re-fitted due to the build up of the plating. The blue-black color is normally bluing, which just colors the polished metal. The shine comes from how well the metal is polished before bluing. Dull polish, dull finish, bright shiny polish, bright shiny finish. Metal that is bead blasted will look parkerized after bluing (very dull) and is a good way to finish rusted and pitted metal.
Sorry this is so long.
Good luck.
Ed
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
2007
A. A nickel chrome finish on a 1911 type pistol can work very nicely. I have chrome plated many 1911s and many other guns. Whoever does this work needs a knowledge of plating and guns. When done properly all that needs to be done to the gun is simply reassemble after plating. That is assuming the gun was in proper working order to start off with.
Frank DeGuire- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
2007
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