Reuse plunger tube or buy new?

[egumpher]

Hello,

I am a proud owner of a Colt Lightweight Commander with over 3500 round through it now. The rails show signs of wear shown below and I decided to type III hardcoat anodize the frame to slow down the wear and extend the life of the pistol.

I will remove the plunger tube for this work but need to know if I can restake the old plunger tube or if I should buy new. I want to restake the existing PT because the surface finish on the plunger tube matches the rest of the components now so if I buy a new PT the finish won’t match anymore.

Best regards
Eric

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_5349-2.jpg

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_5345-2.jpg

[log man]

Wow!
What's the story on the slide stop notch.

LOG

[egumpher]

Wow!
What's the story on the slide stop notch.

LOG

Answer: It's in spec and has no indications of cracks.

What about the question I asked?


Rgds
Eric

[OD*]

Wow!
What's the story on the slide stop notch.

LOG
They have been that way on Colt's since late '88 early '89.
Sometimes called the 10mm cut-out, Colt started that with the original Delta Elite, to head off cracking under the 10mm pressure.

[OD*]

Buy a new plunger tube.

[egumpher]

Buy a new plunger tube.

Yea, that what I thought I should do but just wanted to hear it from someone else.

Thank you
Eric

[log man]

Sorry, I guess I must of burped when I first looked and it just seemed deep. The plunger tube can be reused if it can be taken off without damage to it. If. I'd be worried of damaging the frame holes and would grind the stake to weaken it, and that would destroy it. What's your plan?

LOG

[OD*]

Yea, that what I thought I should do but just wanted to hear it from someone else.

Thank you
Eric
You're welcome. They can sometimes be reused if taken off gently (rarely), and the plunger legs are long enough to re-stake.

[egumpher]

Sorry, I guess I must of burped when I first looked and it just seemed deep. The plunger tube can be reused if it can be taken off without damage to it. If. I'd be worried of damaging the frame holes and would grind the stake to weaken it, and that would destroy it. What's your plan?

LOG

Not a problem at all..... am developing the plan now. I really think type II hardcoat will help the frame because my P266 aluminum frame looks great after more use than the LTWT Commander.

Now I plan to replace the PT with a good aftermarket manufacturer. Perhaps a slightly longer PT from Wilson but I don't know the difference between manufacturer's.

Well, you know, without actually holding one of these replacement parts I don't know which is better.

This is why I am asking the question on this forum......

Rgds
Eric

[niemi24s]

Perhaps of pic of the plunger tube clearly showing the surface finish you want might help our plunger tube experts (!) give you some guidance on which ones might match the best.

Regards

[Ben H]

If you want to go whole hog with a new one take a look at the 4 legged plunger tube made by Michiguns and now stocked by Brownells. It's pricey and requires 2 extra holes drilled in the frame via a Michiguns installation jigs. Looks like it would be rock solid after installation.

[egumpher]

Perhaps of pic of the plunger tube clearly showing the surface finish you want might help our plunger tube experts (!) give you some guidance on which ones might match the best.

Regards


Great idea: I think I am going to call Colt this morning to see if I can get original parts....I would like a replacement recoil spring assy for my New Agent anyway.....now I need to llive with a black frame with silver parts.....

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/Colt-LTWT-Commander.jpg

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/Colt-LTWT-Commander--2.jpg

Rgds
Eric