Stake plunger tube before or after parkerizing?

[drdanke]

Are there any problems with parkerizing (final finish not base for paint) after I stake my plunger tube on? Or will having unfinished between the frame and plunger tube cause rust later on? Ideally should the parts be parkerized before staking the plunger tube on? I know I will have to stone the plunger tube stakes down to make them perfectly flush with the frame, and doing so would ruin the parkerizing. How do you do it?

Same question with the front sight.. Stake the sight on before parkerizing or after?

How were the old military WWII 1911's finished? Plunger tube first, then parkerizing? Or parkerizing first?

[LDM]

I just had a screw on plunger tube made by EGW installed on my 1911 and am VERY happy with the result. It was $20 for the part. And I do not think it will EVER come off by itself; and if it does the fix is easy. I had this done right before I had my 1911 re-finished. See link to Brownells below.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=21200&title=1911+AUTO+BOLT-ON+PLUNGER+TUBE

[robot1911]

I usually install the tube and front sight before finishing. You'll need to make sure all the chemical is removed from beneath the tube and sight and get some oil in there so rust won't strt.

You mentioned making the staking tubes flush with the frame. Don't do that! Make little cavities in the frame to accept the tubes when they're being staked and then, IF there's any material protruding you can file it down. Most of the time there won't be any sticking up...those little feet aren't that long.

Bob