Hard Chrome Refinishing

[vinny_land]

Hello everyone,
While we are staying at home or working from home, it gives me more time to stare and think about future projects. I'm considering refinishing a 1911 and would like the hard chrome finish (either all of it or do a two-tone retro build).

I would imagine that the smaller parts like beavertail grip safety and magwell/MSH would need to be carbon and not stainless in order to remain consistent with the HC finish on the frame/slide. Having surfed a few gunsmiths websites, it mostly comes in a matter or brushed finish and a high polish can be achievable. I only have my Dan Wesson CBoB to compare and would HC be similar to that finish?

Please share your two cents about HC.

Thank you in advance.
Vinny

[SkyHawk]

These folks are USED TO BE among the best in the biz for hard chrome

https://apwcogan.com/

[vinny_land]

These folks are among the best in the biz for hard chrome

https://apwcogan.com/

You might consider an undercut at the same time, they can do that for you.

Yes I was looking at their page and also Ford's Custom. I know Brett and Will here in SoCal offers it as well.

[SkyHawk]

APW did this Hard Chrome Nighthawk for me, with undercut

[CifaldiPrecision]

Yes I was looking at their page and also Ford's Custom. I know Brett and Will here in SoCal offers it as well.

We both send out. APW, Fords and Precision Custom Plating and Engraving are who I use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vinny_land]

APW did this Hard Chrome Nighthawk for me, with undercut

Very nice! Was it stainless steel before getting refinished?

[SkyHawk]

Very nice! Was it stainless steel before getting refinished?

Nope, not stainless

[690 Enduro R]

I had my Cz sp-01 hard chromed by Fords. It turned out awesome.

[beanz2]

I had mine done at Fords also. Awesome results.

The downside is that when the gun is too pretty, I no longer use it.


.

[Gringo Bandito]

Do not use APW cogan. Their key people left and the quality of work has diminished greatly. They screwed up the finish on my 2011 and lost my disconnector. Use these folks - Precision Custom Plating and Engraving.

[H3baton]

I am a 1911 snob/nut. Avoid hard chrome. Ask top smiths like Marvel, Reid, Chambers, Bunker, Rogers etc. I had discussion with them in person. There are only a very few people in US who can do hard chrome properly. Very few.
Parts that are hard chromed will not last as long as blued or dlc guns. Avoid it.

[hermosabeach]

Hard chrome is nice

Electroless nickel is a more durable finish in my book
Zrn is better as well

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroless_nickel_plating

Obviously do all mods before you refinish.

Is the front sight staked on or do you already have a dovetail milled for the front sight?

Any sharp edges that should be radius milled or filed?

Do you want forward groves for chamber checking?

Is ejection port good or should it be opened up a bit?

Happy with beaver tail? Or should a new one be fitted?

Once you refinish, you don’t want to do it again.

[hermosabeach]

I believe titanium gun is around San Diego and they do a lot of finishes.

https://www.titaniumgun.com/coatings

What do you think of ZRN?
Zirconium Nitride

[H3baton]

Save yourself headache and time. Finishes to avoid in 1911s -
1) nitriding/dutycoat/hard hat
2) hard chrome - again. Go talk to Marvel, Reid, Chambers, Bunker, Rogers, Stan Chen. They are very friendly and world top 1911 gunsmiths. Listen to what they say. Avoid hard chrome.
3) Cerakote. Unless there is parkerization underneath, cerakote will not hold up. There is not a single cerakote place in Orange county and LA area that will do parkerization under the cerakote. They are garbage quality. Avoid it.
4) NP3 electroless nickel - they are soft. Real soft. Ask Rogers and Alchemy custom regarding durability of those finishes.

Again listen to real top gunsmith. Not internet hobbyst.

[H3baton]

If you truly want hard chrome. Send to real professionals who know what they are doing. Jason Burton at heirloom precision, Stan Chen, and Rob at Alchemy custom are my recommendations.