Need Advice With Pitting and Finish

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

Over the past year, year and a half, I've fitted many, many ambi safeties to my 1911 and wrote a report on them. (There are still a few missing, but that's due to financial considerations, so I've stopped.)

There were a few safeties I had to pry off, and the left side of my gun looks pretty bad after all this. I did half expect it to as I don't think anyone can fit safeties hundreds of times (multiple times for each safety) without causing some damage.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/DSC00009-1.jpg

I have at my disposal sandpaper, cold bluing (pens and liquid), car wax, rubbing compound, and a Dremel (which I'm very hesitant to use in most situations.)

I'd like to make this look halfway decent. I figure I'll buff and reblue the safety lever, but I'm unsure what to do about the frame.

Any constructive advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[log man]

Ahh, okay, strip gun, install GS with a MSH pin so the TS is out of the way and block sand the frame horns and blend to the GS, which appears to be wider. Bead blast or grain finish frame and refinish. Surely, this is what you would have recommended to someone else.

LOG

[Joshua M. Smith]

Log Man, I don't know what I would have recommended to someone else; I'm not good at refinishing cars or guns.

I think I got it mostly though... I posted it up on that other 1911 forum.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[OD*]

I don't think anyone can fit safeties hundreds of times (multiple times for each safety) without causing some damage.
Don't beat yourself up, you've been into 1911s for less than a year, right? Get a set of Tupperware citrus peeler's, you'll chew them instead of the pistol.

[toolman]

Next time you need to pry something off, try sliding a putty knife blade in between the frame and your pry bar.

[log man]

Don't beat yourself up, you've been into 1911s for less than a year, right? Get a set of Tupperware citrus peeler's, you'll chew them instead of the pistol.
Actually OD* Josh has been the administrator of the gun forum H&A for more then 4 years now. http://handgunsandammo.proboards36.com/

LOG

[OD*]

Actually OD* Josh has been the administrator of the gun forum H&A for more then 4 years now. http://handgunsandammo.proboards36.com/

LOG
Yes, but I was going by what he posted here on M1911.ORG; http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?p=447368#post447368
He stated he bought his first one in February of 2008.

[wichaka]

I use a piece of thick cardstock between the frame and the safety, but that's on the right side or ambi side of things..........then pry up with a thin wedge.

On the left........just wiggle and pull, they will come out.

I also use some pliers with plastic jaw covers, haven't marred a safety or frame yet.

As for repairing what you've done........you'll have to remove all the tool marks from the area damaged, I think I would go with what mentioned.......that being refinish the whole frame.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Thanks folks.

I've decided to go with what I've done for now:

]I got to playing around with a case hardened look for the thumb safety too.

The pitting is mostly gone, and I think it looks pretty good for not my not being a "body man."

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/ria1800x.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/ria2800x.jpg

... then go with a total refinish when I look into GunKote and the like.

Thanks again,

Josh <><

P.S. I have only been into the 1911 for around a year. Before that, I carried a Taurus PT92 for over 10 years, or a revolver, depending on mood and dress requirements. J.S.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Next time you need to pry something off, try sliding a putty knife blade in between the frame and your pry bar.

Will do. Thank you.