The question, of course, is what sort of finish? The original Colt finish for the 1991A1 series was an inexpensive matte finish that gained an not-entirely-undeserved reputation for marring easily and allowing rust to form if not meticulously maintained. The finish on my 1991A1 Compact has certainly seen better days, which makes it a prime candidate for refinishing. With all the options available today, though, I haven't the faintest idea where to start...
Parkerization. DuraCoat. Hard chrome. Blueing. The options are varied, and the price ranges from "That's almost as much as I paid for the gun!" to "I want a new finish, not a brick of solid gold!" There's a certain appeal to leaving it as is and having a reliable, sturdy gun that can take a nick or scratch; then again, if all I wanted was a boring, vanilla working gun, I'd have a Glock (oh, wait...) This is one of those "long term" projects; I don't see myself getting the 1991A1 a new finish in the next 6-12 months, that's for sure.
So, what finish would y'all recommend for a 1991A1 Compact?
That is all.
12 comments:
I would try Robar NP3 -- looks like $285? to do your pistol. It has a nice appearance and is self lubricating as well as durable.
I'll just say this. Whatever the black oxide finish is on my S&W1911Sc (I think it's melanite) it's holding up very well to every-day carry. That being said if it ever gets so thin or marred (which given that I'll likely never sell this gun, and it's my favorite carry piece) I'm going to have it hard chromed.
Hard Chrome is abrasion and corrosion resistant, also I like the idea of light-colored finish on a carry gun, as when I draw the thing I WANT it to be seen.
IMHO hard chrome is the next-best thing to stainless steel as far as carry goes. And it's better than stainless because you don't need all the weight of a stainless gun!
I have to advocate the "Mikey Bloomberg is a Sad Panda" paintjob. Maybe something in a hot rod red, or a nice blue metalflake. Make a bad man cry today!
CCR's "Ceraplate" if you want something that looks very similar to nickel. Then do the controls in CCR's house black. That would look great IMO.
http://anothergunblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/sig-sauer-ccrs-work-stainless.html
The slide of the P228 is "ceraplate" while the slide of the P229R is "house black"
Oh, and I also think a full electroless Nickel finish from Mahovsky's would be nice.
See the pic here. (in fact, I almost bought this gun)
http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/65192-custom-star-model-b-9mm-satin-nickel-1911-style-pa.html
Alot of guys in Michigan have been getting this finish on their Handguns. I have seen some in person and they are phenomenal!
CreaKote....
http://www.customizedcreationz.com/services/cerakoterefinishing.html
I'll suggest Birdsong's Black-T finish. There are a lot of newer finishes, but this one is 20 years old on my .357 and still as nice as the day the pistol was done.
I hard chromed mine.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ElizabethNance/1911A1_DerrPrecision#5344380356948139362
Well, if it was ME, I'd just let it get all wabi-sabi.
It's a carry gun, not a show piece. Wear is character.
(Since you care about that kind of thing, I'd go with what Weer'd said and replace it with a stainless or chrome model.)
hard chrome in a matte finish. My glock 19 is a daily carry and Virgil Tripp did the slide years ago, sadly he doesn't chrome anymore. It is a great finish almost as good as new, scratches pretty much buff out. I'd retort your glock insult but you're in Mass and that's insult enough. Next time I'm at the range I'll rip a couple of 33 round mags out of my glock just for you..................heheheh
I just soaked all of the metal pieces in CLP and put it in the oven on warm until I couldn't see in the kitchen anymore due to the smoke. Haven't had a problem with rust or marring since.
DuraCoat. Easy self application and reasonable to boot. Oh, and lotsa different colors. I just did my RIA compact model and it came out great. Do not use an air brush, get a cheap auto touch up/detail gun. Really, htis is a nice, durable finish that nay one can do.
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