rebluing

[dstone]

Would appreciate any experienced opinions on sending a colt back to the factory to be reblued.

Pros & Cons?

[cliff731]

I'll preface my comment by saying that I've never sent a Colt firearm back to Colt's factory for re-bluing. However, the few pics I've seen of Colt's work look absolutely great to me. I'm of the opinion too that any Colt as refinished by Colt... with supporting documentation retained, isn't going to loose too much value as is typically regarded for a refinished firearm. Their Royal Blue looks spectacular... one so done was recently posted on this forum.

BTW, Colt recently quoted to me a price of $275 to refinish a 1911 in Royal Blue with an approximate 6 week turnaround time.

[faawrenchbndr]

Opinions on sending a Colt to Colt vs someone else?
Will having Colt re-blue a firearm, hold the value or will it still depreciate from being reblued?

[FlameRed]

Anytime a gun is reblued, it losses some of it collector value. So for example, you have a WWI 1911 that looks like it went thru the war, is beat to death but has all the original matching parts NEVER have it refinished.

That aside, my motto is "Life is to short to shoot an ugly gun". So I have no hesitation to reblue any of my shooters. But I NEVER count of getting my money back or care if I depreciate the value (which it does).

Aside from Colt, the best place to get your Colt reblued is at Ford's in Florida. Get their 'Master' finish. Bob Cogan at Accurate Plating and Weaponry is also very good.

[cliff731]

FlameRed, you've made some good points... and ditto the work that Ford's Custom does. Browsing the photos shown of their work is a most convincing exercise for that master bluing they offer.

There are some guns that I would not consider rebluing at all... especially those with obvious collectability. However, the run of the mill types... you betcha... life's too short to shoot an ugly gun!

-Cliff

[dstone]

All good information. My pistol is a 70 Series GCNM in very good condition other than the idiot scratch for which I alone am responsible. This scratch now that the information on how to work with the pieces (thanks to this forum) is an assult to my vanity and a visible mar I guess living with is the best solution. Would I repaint an entire auto because of a scratch on the door? Of course, with an auto a door alone can be painted or replaced. To do the same with a pistol may not make sense and to devalue the pistol by having it reblued does not make sense either.

To me, the pistol is beautiful (if I can just overlook being reminded of my mistake)

Am I on the right track or is there some way to rub out this mar?

[Ric4509]

Would appreciate any experienced opinions on sending a colt back to the factory to be reblued.

Pros & Cons?

I had my LW Commander's slide refinished and was very happy with the work. Also, a week ago I dropped off my Combat Commander for refinishing/bluing. The previous owner had the entire pistol finished in a NP3 like finish. Or maybe it is. It'll probably be January until I lay my hands on her. Overall, I'm very satisfied with Colt's product services.

[JMB Masterpiece]

Guys,
I've used Glenrock Blue with great service and results; some of the top notch smiths, Ted Yost (Heirloom Precision) use them these days. Phil Filing the owner is a great guy to work with.

Mark

[ButchKent]

Based on my recent experience, (see post commander all dressed up) I can recommend Colt for a refinish to restore it to factory fresh finish. However, since you only have a small mark maybe you should consider a small scale solution. In another area, Gunsmithing, of the sight refinishing and other technical matters are discussed. In some posts, small marks of similar nature have been corrected with a special marker type pen. This would be much more cost effective and save the rest of the surface of the pistol from the abuses of refinishing. Please check out this option.

[dstone]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[paul45]

Your GC will retain future value( if this is a concern) better WITH the idiot scratch.

Attempts to "fix" just the scratch will make it even more apparent.

Re-blueing, even at Colt will drop possible value by 25%.

Me? I would leave it alone.