Springfield Trophy Match Help

[jwfire25]

I recently bought a Stainless Springfield Trophy match for 800 dollars. It has some minor scratches on the slide. It also has some surface rust marks in between some serrations on the top and the side of the slide. I was wondering what are the some of the best ways I can maybe polish or buff the scratches out and get rid of the rust in between the serrations.

Thanks,

John

[Valegian]

Flitz does wonders!

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[Saym14]

go slow and have a lot of patience

[cindynles]

2000 grit sandpaper (sand with the grain of the metal) will take most of the surface scratches out.

[JTROKS]

Try steel wool on the rust. Then strip her down and use med-fine like 320 grit Emery cloth on the scratches. Might as well clean up the frame also. Then have the top of slide and edges of frame bead blasted. Using a flat surface retouch the side of the slide and frame with 400 grit Emery cloth.

[MKT]

Those scratches on the slide sure look like honest wear from hitting a barricade in recoil.

[saki302]

It's a fine brushed finish- polish will not help you unless you want to mirror polish the whole gun.

Try 800-1500 grit sandpaper.

Sand with the grain ONE WAY on the slide, until you find a grit which matches the original finish. You will use that to sand out the marks going ONE DIRECTION. Back and forth creates swirls and weird marks.
You can also try a brillo (green) scrubber pad. TO get a perfect match for the finish will take a bit of trial and error.

Don't push too hard, and be careful not to round out the corners or sand matte areas.

-Dave

[javaduke]

IMHO - I would leave it alone. It is very difficult to match the original finish of the gun, so most likely you will only make it look worse. Use nylon or brass brush soaked in Hoppe's #9 to remove the rust marks. Then just shoot the gun and enjoy it. Of course, you can always send it somewhere to refinish, but it will be expensive and long process.

[-hanko]

IMHO - I would leave it alone. It is very difficult to match the original finish of the gun, so most likely you will only make it look worse. Use nylon or brass brush soaked in Hoppe's #9 to remove the rust marks. Then just shoot the gun and enjoy it. Of course, you can always send it somewhere to refinish, but it will be expensive and long process.

Correct answer...good work.

[Barbarosa]

I get rust in the same area on the serrations. I use a dab of Flitz on the end of a Q-tip and work it back and forth. It works pretty good with a little bit of elbow grease. DON'T use steel wool. It will leave behind microscopic bits of steel that will enhance rusting.

As for the scratches, be careful with whatever you use because you will end up with one really shiny spot and the rest will be the natural finish. It is almost better to just leave it alone or to polish the whole slide with Flitz but you will end up with a mirror finish that is easily marred. I suggest leaving it alone but to each his own.

[blkrado28]

Shouldn't be too hard to match the finish. Its a horizontal brushed finish. Just need a pad and do even strokes on the slide. Used to use these pads on stainless parts all the time when I was a machinist.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-07447-Scotch-Brite-General-Purpose/dp/B0002SQYF0/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_469_bs_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6G6JB22Z52B8PQES4E26

[Cypriss32]

If you don't want it I'll gladly take it off your hands. I tend not to worry about looks like most. My guns get used and wear looks good.

[DVSmith]

Whoever owned it sure wasn't concerned about babying it! They are great guns, shoot the bejeezus out of it and enjoy it. Over time you will add to the wear on the finish. A bunch of my guns have been used in youth shooting programs. They come back with the most interesting wear.

[jwfire25]

I think you guys are right. I will probably get the rust off and not worry about the scratches. Never shot a trophy match before so lets see if its worth the hype!

[oddjob]

Gray scotch Brite pad. I believe this is what the Springfield Custom shop uses. Call them and ask.