Polishing Stainless Steel 1911

[MSobal79]

Just picked up a Colt Government XSE in stainless steel. Would like to get a mirror finish on the entire gun (Safe Queen). Any recommendations on shops other than Colt custom shop (18 month leadtime)?

[MSobal79]

Just got off the phone with Colt custom shop. they quoted me $475 and 6-8month lead time for bright stainless steel finish. Is this a good deal? Anyone had experience with Colt custom shop?

[C&Rcollector]

Not sure if it's worth $475 to polish an 80 series pistol. You'll never get that money back if you decide to sell it.

You can use wet/dry sand paper, a polishing wheel and mothers mag polish...it will take you a couple days, but will save you $475.

If your time is worth more, then just get it done. But if you look at it as a hobby then it could be a fun task.

I followed these steps on a couple revolvers and they came out great:

http://www.teslamap.com/public/polish/

[C&Rcollector]

Ps. I practiced on a stainless steel knife first.

[ShooterStymie]

Cool guide C&Rcollector. Sounds like a fun project.

[daybreak]

holy moly $475 is a lot of money

[postal]

Thats insane for something you can do yourself for about $30 worth of supplies.....

The only difficulty would be front/rear sight removal and reinstall.

You can buy quality sandpaper by the sheet at most auto body supply shops. Dont need to buy full packs of each grit.

I'd suggest 2 sheets of 600, and one sheet each of 1000, 1500, 2000 is likely all you'll need. 3m is usually what you'll find.

Also I think ACE hardware sells individual sheet of 'gator grit' brand which is actually pretty good.

[gsparesa]

That's probably because Colt is paying real Americans a living wage.

[LAKings22]

I used mothers mag polish on my SS s&w 500 and after 6 hours of hand polishing, it looked great.

The Colt XSE has SS flats and the rounds are dark grey. It might not look good if you leave the Rounds grey while the flats have a mirror finish. when I had my XSE I decided to go with Hard chrome and the rounds matte silver.

The amount Colt quoted you, I'm sure you can find another custom 1911 gunsmith who will refinish your 1911 and you can get a fee more custom work done for the same price.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[ThighSlapper]

Colts gotta pay off that $11 million loan somehow I guess....

[C&Rcollector]

That's probably because Colt is paying real Americans a living wage.

I guess that's why their on the brink of bankruptcy as well...lol spoken like a true union rep.

[CK_32]

Why not just do it your self?


Simple weekend DIY project.

[heidad01]

You can do it yourself if you are good in doing meticulous metal work. Otherwise it is going to look like a gone wrong breast implant performed in a third world country.
It is not just polish the heck out of it, there is a lot more involved if you want a professional job.

[himurax13]

Not sure if it's worth $475 to polish an 80 series pistol. You'll never get that money back if you decide to sell it.

You can use wet/dry sand paper, a polishing wheel and mothers mag polish...it will take you a couple days, but will save you $475.

If your time is worth more, then just get it done. But if you look at it as a hobby then it could be a fun task.

I followed these steps on a couple revolvers and they came out great:

http://www.teslamap.com/public/polish/

What he said. Its not like Series 80's Colts are safe queen status worthy.

[Black Majik]

It would be cheaper to just ship your gun overseas so some kid in Bangladesh can do perform the work.