Dehorning question

[Roland]

I want to dehorn my 1911 (which I don't have yet :D ) and I am looking for tips on how to best do this. To illustrate what I want to dehorn I have this picture here:
http://i4.tinypic.com/5432gwg.jpg

I want to dehorn the upper edge on the slide so that the top blends into the side more softly. I really like this look, I've noticed it before and I think it really improves the looks of any 1911.

Whats the best way of accomplishing this however? A good idea that someone gave me was to take a piece of flat glass, attach sandpaper to it and then take the slide with each hand holding the front and back. Then hold the side to the sandpapered surface at maybe 15-20 degrees angle, then pull towards me while angling the slide upwards.

This sounds good to me but are there any other techniques for getting a modification like this right?

[garrettwc]

I would suggest sandpaper rolls or emery cloth. Carefully mount the slide in a bench vise and then hold the ends of the sandpaper strip with either hand and rub back and forth across the surface you want to smooth. Like you would hold a rag to shine shoes.

[Roland]

That was my original idea, but I liked the glass idea since it should guarantee an even sanding across the length of the slide (as long as I keep pressue on both sides equal), as opposed to going over a section bit-by-bit. How big is the risk of getting an un-even sanding with this method?

[Black_Talon]

How big is the risk of getting an un-even sanding with this method?

I wouldn't try it that way. Unless the juncture that you're trying to radius is as straight as your piece of glass, you will get an uneven radius. From what I've seen, most factory made guns have flats that aren't really very flat at all. Put a straight-edge on the "flats" of your slide, or on the top of the slide and you'll see what I mean.

I've had really good luck doing it via the "shoe-shine" method. You're not taking much off so it's easy to keep the radius constant as you proceed from end to end.

[garrettwc]

How big is the risk of getting an un-even sanding with this method?
There is a risk anytime you are removing metal. It depends on how good your sanding skills are. You could try something like coloring the area evenly with a blue marker and then using that as a guide. Sand just until the marker disappears then go to the next section. Work slowly and take just a small amount at a time until you get the look you want.

[CreapyCrawler]

I would suggest sandpaper rolls or emery cloth. Carefully mount the slide in a bench vise and then hold the ends of the sandpaper strip with either hand and rub back and forth across the surface you want to smooth. Like you would hold a rag to shine shoes.

I agree.... Doing it the other way can cause an uneven radius because you can't maintain a constant pressure when trying to roll the slide as you move it across the sand paper. A simple wide "Sharpie" marker will work for coloring the area that you want to remove metal. When you get to the radius you want I like my sanding marks to run lengthwise so I change from the "Shoeshine" method to a forward and back motion.

Good Luck

[Roland]

Well after sanding I would bead blast and parkerize, so that should take care of any sanding marks.

By the way is this method prefferable on all edges if I want to dehorn a little bit or is a file to prefer as most guides I've seen use?