New Finish for An OACP?

[Glock1911]

I've got a Series 80, Mark IV OACP in a parkerized finish. I've never cared for that type of finish due to the susceptibility to scratching. I've been thinking of having the gun refinished. Blue is my first choice, but nickel or hard chrome are also considerations.
I know that the blue would be susceptible to scratches, also, but then all finishes are if you don't take care of them. Which finish would you choose, and why?

[pa_guns]

Hi

Well on a scratch-o-meter scale, Park is less easy to scratch than blue. The matte finish on a Park pistol will show scratches less than a polished nickel or chrome finish.

The main advantage of blue is that it's easy to strip and re-do. Park is a pain to get off of a pistol.

One thing to consider are the "paint" finishes like GunKote(?). They go well over Park. They can chip and scratch, but that's the nature of any finish.

Hard chrome over a bead blast is going to be the most rugged.

Bob

[fire_hunter988]

i would go with your first choice. i don't like the blue because its like you can never seem to get it clean. good luck making your choice

[pa_guns]

Hi

Any shiny finish is going to show up finger prints in a big hurry.

Bob

[Glock1911]

Hi

Hard chrome over a bead blast is going to be the most rugged.

Bob

I'm not sure I've ever seen that particular finish, but it sounds like doing the slide in "hard chrome over bead blast" and leaving the frame in a parkerized finish would be somewhat aesthetically appealing...to me.

Any ideas on who to contact for that type of finish?

[Glock1911]

The Gun Kote finishes are interesting, too. Mainly from the stand point of "do it yourself".

[pa_guns]

I'm not sure I've ever seen that particular finish, but it sounds like doing the slide in "hard chrome over bead blast" and leaving the frame in a parkerized finish would be somewhat aesthetically appealing...to me.

Any ideas on who to contact for that type of finish?

Hi

It looks a lot like mate finish stainless steel.

There are a *lot* of people out there in the finishing business. You definitely want somebody who does pistols. I really can't tell you who is good at chrome these days.

Bob

[Glock1911]

Hi

It looks a lot like mate finish stainless steel.

Bob

Sounds better all the time.

[pa_guns]

Hi

If you are going to go for it, I would get the whole gun done at once. If you want a two tone look, I believe there's a process that can give you a black hard chrome. I could be wrong about that though.

Bob

[Glock1911]

So far, a Google search has produced these results for refinishing:
Metaloy
Les Baer
Robar

Go for the whole gun, you say? The frame finish (parkerized) isn't in too bad condition. It's the slide that is showing wear in the finish. I think I could live with just getting the slide spruced up. Maybe getting the whole gun done would make more sense, though, for the long run.

[pa_guns]

Hi

The advantage of doing just the slide is that you will spend less money right now. If you do the whole gun now, it will all match and it will look *cool*. In the long run, it's cheaper to do the whole thing than to do both parts separately.

Bob

[Glock1911]

You may have me convinced to do the whole gun, pa_guns. Now, I just have to figure out who to send it to.

[paul45]

This person recieves good press from members of the sigforum......

http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/

[pa_guns]

This person recieves good press from members of the sigforum......

http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/

Hi

Looks like he only offers the two "modern" coatings rather than hard chrome.

Bob

[Hill]

If you decide to finish it you'll have the opportunity to make it look like anything you like. Look at lots of guns.

If you want it reparked better than a 'kitchen table' job:http://www.parabelluminc.com/parkerizing.htm

Those guys will paint it too, so look at all of their photo galleries and see if there's anything that you think will turn that beauty into the Coolest Colt on the Planet.

[pa_guns]

If you decide to finish it you'll have the opportunity to make it look like anything you like. Look at lots of guns.

If you want it reparked better than a 'kitchen table' job:http://www.parabelluminc.com/parkerizing.htm

Those guys will paint it too, so look at all of their photo galleries and see if there's anything that you think will turn that beauty into the Coolest Colt on the Planet.

Hi

Good prices.

Bob

[Hill]

I thought so too, Bob. They do a nice parkerization, either type, as well as both of the main paints.

Not sure about paint holding up all that well, but some people swear by it.

[paul45]

Hi

Looks like he only offers the two "modern" coatings rather than hard chrome.

Bob
Oh....I'm sorry.......Were we only talking about hardchrome?

[Pistolier]

You may have me convinced to do the whole gun, pa_guns. Now, I just have to figure out who to send it to.

If you are thinking of hard chrome Tripp is one of the best I have heard of. You might give them a look and talk to them about your needs. You can go to this sight for info.

www.trippresearch.com

[pa_guns]

Hi

Lots of choices out there.

Bob

[Hill]

You can make your gun resemble Darth Vader, HMS Hood, or anything in between. :D

[Glock1911]

Hard chrome wasn't my initial choice, but the more I look into it the better it looks. Thanks for the Tripps link, Pistolier.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Matte hard chrome. Good looking stuff.

Bob

[elijdub]

If you are thinking of hard chrome Tripp is one of the best I have heard of. You might give them a look and talk to them about your needs. You can go to this sight for info.

www.trippresearch.com
I gotta' second Roy on this one... I've only heard good things about Virgil Tripp's finish work. If i were going to get a gun "chromed", i'd go to Tripp, no question. They're even a sponsor now with an advertisement up above in the banner. I've been using their mags for a while... Couldn't be happier!!!

[pa_guns]

Hi

Nothing at all wrong with supporting forum sponsors.

Bob

[Sarge45]

Tripp Research = hard chrome. I understand that finish is tough as nails and looks good. Can be had shiney or matt.

[Glock1911]

I'm thinking hard chrome from Tripps. What'da you guys think? ;)

[Hawkmoon]

Hard chrome would be my second choice. My first choice would be blued ... just because I'm a dinosaur, and metal guns "should be" blued.

[heat151]

I like the look of blued guns with wood grips. I'm not sure how much more expensive it would be to strip the parkerization (sp?).
Otherwise I like the paint coatings like the ones offered from Wilson Combat. Sounds like you can't go wrong with Tripp Research for the hard chrome, if that is what you prefer.
Sounds like you want the hard chrome, eh?

[daveohno]

I like bright stainless best and the longer I am around firearms, the more I like blue. I don't recall ever seeing hard chrome in person, but I hear it is a very durable finish.

[elijdub]

Ok, i have to back up...blue is my first finish choice for any gun ;). BUT, assuming another finish was desired for durability, hard chrome is the answer, AFAIK. Actually, Nighthawk Custom's "Diamond Black" finish is "supposed" to be the most durable finish on the market. El Commandante has it on his Talon... It looks much more like a park'd finish. If a "shiny" finish is desired, hardchrome would be the way i'd go :).

[pa_guns]

Hi

There are always "composite" finishes. Black thin film coatings over hard chrome is one example.

Way to many choices ..

Bob

[Glock1911]

Sounds like you want the hard chrome, eh?

I'm leaning more and more in that direction. Like Hawkmoon, initially my first choice would be a blued gun. However, blued finishes aren't as durable. They sure are pretty, though.

Nothing seems to be as durable as the hard chrome, from what I've gathered through my research on the coating. It seems to be growing in popularity, also. Not that I've ever followed the "popular" trends.

From the practical stand point it seems to be the best choice and that aspect is what appeals to me.

[pa_guns]

Hi

So given that it's going to be hard chrome:

What's the polish pattern going to be?

Bob

[Glock1911]

Here is a picture of the gun in it's present finish:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh312/Glock1911/DCP_0003_1.jpg

[Glock1911]

Hi

So given that it's going to be hard chrome:

What's the polish pattern going to be?

Bob

Polish?

I was thinking it would be more of a Czech pattern. :D

Seriously, though, what options do I have for the polish pattern...since you brought it up?

[pa_guns]

Hi

More or less they can polish the sides of the slide nice and shiny and bead blast the rest a matte, or they can do a brushed finish on the slide flats and a bead blast elsewhere. The combinations are nearly endless ....

Bob

[elijdub]

I think a bead-blasted hard-chrome would look really slick :cool:....sort of a "matte" finish on the whole thing.

[pa_guns]

I think a bead-blasted hard-chrome would look really slick :cool:....sort of a "matte" finish on the whole thing.

Hi

All at the same time, that's the one that's most likely to *not* mess up the pistol, costs the least, and is the most rugged of the bunch.

Bob

[elijdub]

Hi

All at the same time, that's the one that's most likely to *not* mess up the pistol, costs the least, and is the most rugged of the bunch.

Bob
Yeah, besides the look (which i think would be very nice), i thought that the matte finish would probably "hide" scratches the best...;).

[wetidlerjr]

Hi

More or less they can polish the sides of the slide nice and shiny and bead blast the rest a matte, or they can do a brushed finish on the slide flats and a bead blast elsewhere. The combinations are nearly endless ....

Bob

This is hard chrome with polished flats:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/wetidlerjr/Colt%201911/COLT1991HRDCHRME101107.jpg

[pa_guns]

Hi

Obviously you can polish the flats on the slide and not on the frame. That's my personal favorite.

Bob

[Glock1911]

Nice! I like the polished flats.

[pa_guns]

Hi

It is a nicely done pistol.

Bob

[Glock1911]

Ok, I've pretty much decided on sending the gun to Tripp Research, even though their website could use some improvement. The FAQ page is still under construction.

They offer the CobraChrome and the CobraCoat finishes. Anybody know the differences between these finishes? I've pretty much decided on a matte bead blasted finish. Which of the above finishes would produce the best results for that type of finish?

They also offer the coatings for complete guns including the barrel or without the barrel. Any advantage/disadvantage to having the barrel done?

I've sent the same questions to Tripp, but some expert feedback from the forum would be appreciated. :D

[wetidlerjr]

Ok, I've pretty much decided on sending the gun to Tripp Research, even though their website could use some improvement. The FAQ page is still under construction.

They offer the CobraChrome and the CobraCoat finishes. Anybody know the differences between these finishes? I've pretty much decided on a matte bead blasted finish. Which of the above finishes would produce the best results for that type of finish?

They also offer the coatings for complete guns including the barrel or without the barrel. Any advantage/disadvantage to having the barrel done?

I've sent the same questions to Tripp, but some expert feedback from the forum would be appreciated. :D

Hard chrome and some type of polymer paint. Go with the chrome. ;)

[pa_guns]

Hi

The CobraCoat seems to be one of these miracle finishes. I would also avoid it.

Bob

[elijdub]

Ok, I've pretty much decided on sending the gun to Tripp Research, even though their website could use some improvement. The FAQ page is still under construction.
They just recently re-did their entire site....MUCH better than it was last year at this time! IMO, evidence of a growing business with a reputation for quality ;).


They also offer the coatings for complete guns including the barrel or without the barrel. Any advantage/disadvantage to having the barrel done?

I've sent the same questions to Tripp, but some expert feedback from the forum would be appreciated. :D
I can't really think of any disadvantages to having the barrel done... I think the issue is that it costs more money, though would probably provide more "durability".
Virgil recently joined the forum... http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=44365
His "handle" is CobraTripp2, and you could probably PM him here as well.

Good luck!

[pa_guns]

Hi

The main issue with doing the outside of the barrel is that it takes a beating. Very few finishes will hold up. Once you start to shave off the finish things look ugly.

Inside the barrel - that's got a whole set of issues.

Bob

[Glock1911]

I'm leaning toward leaving the barrel alone for a couple of reasons: 1) Like pa_guns stated "The main issue with doing the outside of the barrel is that it takes a beating". Seems like a waste of money for that very reason. 2) I don't want the inside plated for accuracy's sake.

[pa_guns]

Hi

They can plug the barrel during plating to keep the stuff out of the inside. I simply have never seen a way to keep the barrel hood "pretty" other than buffing it every so often. There may indeed be a way and hard chrome may be it. Everything I have seen myself has looked ugly after a few thousand rounds or less.

Bob

[elijdub]

I'm leaning toward leaving the barrel alone for a couple of reasons: 1) Like pa_guns stated "The main issue with doing the outside of the barrel is that it takes a beating". Seems like a waste of money for that very reason. 2) I don't want the inside plated for accuracy's sake.
Just a couple thoughts.... All high-end AR-15 platforms seem to have hard-chrome barrel interiors; i think, in addition to being durable, it also makes cleaning easier.
I think that the idea behind finishing the exterior of the barrel is that it does take a beating; the hard-chrome will make things last a little longer ;). In my opinion, it might be worth the money if the price was right AND i was having the rest of the gun finished anyhow...
My two cents :).

[Glock1911]

I agree that chroming the inside of the barrel makes cleaning easier. I've owned AK's with chromed barrels and appreciated that aspect. I've also heard arguments on the internet (I know, watch what you read on the net) that accuracy suffers with chrome lined barrels. I'm not so sure that is all that much of an issue with a pistol used for self defense at those distances that it will be used.
As for the outside of the barrel, it will get more wear and tear. Will the hard chrome stand up all that well to this wear and tear? I don't know, never had a gun that had any hard chroming what so ever.
This thread has certainly shed much light on the gun coatings options for me and I appreciate everyone's .02 cents worth.

[pa_guns]

Hi

The chrome on the inside of the barrel may or may not make it easier to clean. A lot depends on what's under the chrome. If it's stainless steel, you won't see much difference. The reason they chrome AK's is the corrosive ammo. That way the barrels last longer.

The problem with chrome inside is that it's amazingly difficult to get down a uniform layer over the entire barrel. The lands and grooves tend to shadow. That forces you to put a bit more down. The tendency is to get more on one side than on the other. Effectively you "banana" the barrel.

Normal use takes tiny little chunks out of the inside of a barrel and makes little cracks. If you put chrome over them it's like patching potholes in the street. The patch doesn't last very long and then the pothole is back. Since you are loosing chrome flakes it actually makes the barrel worse.

Not a good way to go ...

Bob

[elijdub]

As for the outside of the barrel, it will get more wear and tear. Will the hard chrome stand up all that well to this wear and tear? I don't know, never had a gun that had any hard chroming what so ever.
My understanding has always been that HC is actually stronger than SS (as a finish)....otherwise i don't think it would be such a highly recommended finish for durability. If i'm wrong though (which happens quite often ;)), it wouldn't make any sense to have the outside of the barrel done.

Edit:

Bob,
I'm curious what you think about having the outside of a barrel done.... Thanks!
This thread has certainly shed much light on the gun coatings options for me and I appreciate everyone's .02 cents worth.
The forum is an incredibly resource, full of friendly and knowledgeable people... It's why i keep comin' back :).

[pa_guns]

Hi

The only parts of the outside of the barrel you can normally see on a 1911 are the tip of the barrel and the hood. The hood takes a beating from the lugs in the slide. I have never seen anything stand up to that beating. Since its the main part you can see, it's the part that makes sense to do something about.

Bob

[colt223]

Check out Tripp Research's COBRA CHROME. The price is right and there alot of pics here on the boards of the Cobra Chrome.

[Glock1911]

I got an email from Tripps today requesting that I call Virgil. Guess I'll do that tomorrow and see what I can get done. Probably go for the whole gun minus the barrel.

[pa_guns]

Hi

While you have him on the phone, see what he thinks. I'm sure he's seen just about everything there is to see as far as finish issues are concerned.

Bob

[Glock1911]

Talked to Tripp, although I didn't talk directly to Virgil.

They don't do the inside of the barrel, sear, springs or hammer hook. All fine by me. :cool:

They don't test fire the pistol after plating. They are confident that their plating process will not interfere with the pistol's function after it has been plated. Been at the business for ten years and never had one returned. That fact gives me some confidence in their work. :)

Costs do not include return shipping. Means I need to scrape up a little more cash before Virgil sees my pistol.

[pa_guns]

Hi

They do know what they are doing. I would trust them to do a pistol of mine.

Bob

[Joni Lynn]

I'd go with hard chrome.

[Ted Smith]

This is a 1971 GM Cogan did for me. I've had Tripp finishes also. In my opinion, Accurate does a more durable finish, and they offer a choice of polished, matte, mixed, etc. http://www.apwcogan.com/
In any case good luck with your choice.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/TedG954/Colts/S70GM2.jpg

[Glock1911]

Well then, I guess it's settled...or was until Ted posted. Nice gun, Ted.

Now, I'll have to save up for some Esmeralda grips for the lil' darlin. ;)

[Joni Lynn]

Nice looking GM. Was the barrel done as well and if so was the bore done or only the external part?

[elijdub]

Great lookin' GM indeed, Ted. Can you describe just how durable Accurate's HC is? I guess i'd like to know how "stong" the finish is....how much wear it will take before it starts showing? Does "holster wear" show up after a while with HC like it does with a factory finish? Thanks.

[Joni Lynn]

I'm interested in knowing what kind of wear HC will gather. I know if it gets a scratch it's not going to come out unless it's very minor.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Hard chrome is about as hard as any conventional finish. There are other things that are indeed harder (like diamonds ...).

Hardness is not everything, you also want something that will move the same way as the metal of the pistol. If it does not, it will crack ...

Bob

[Glock1911]

I think I still prefer Tripp's plating. Cogan's is nice, but I don't see any improvement over Tripp. Tripp is much closer to me, so shipping would be less expensive and his pricing is reasonable.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Shipping pistols is a bit weird. Most outfits will only ship by air, that's expensive no matter where you are going.

Bob

[Hill]

There's an option that hasn't been mentioned called Ionbond. It makes your pistol black and has a rockwell hardness of 75-90 which means you could try to file it without making a mark. Very tough stuff that many of the competition shooters fall all over themselves to get done because it's durable enough to stand up to their 50,000 plus rounds a year. Costs $300. to have a pistol done, last I heard. There's a choice between gloss, satin, or matte black and examples I saw looked very nice.

[Joni Lynn]

Satin would be a nice look, I think Dogdollar had that on one or more of his 1911's but didn't know about the variations available. Is there a web site that shows these?

[BringerOfStorms]

Great information throughout this thread. Thanks for sharing everyone! ~BoS

[pa_guns]

Hi

Most of these fancy pistol finishes are not actually being done by gunsmiths. They prep the pistols and then send them out. It would not surprise me at all to find several people selling exactly the same finish under different names.

Bob