hey all,

looking to tune up my first real 1911 from a company I've been hoping would do some work for me for like a decade, but I'm either broke or they are full. Anyway, things are lining up and I'm looking to have a Baer Stainless concept V worked over. I'm pretty sure of all my other options, but wondering about refinishing. I want to get it cleaned up all around, so refinish makes sense. Is it better to go with polished flats on the slide and bead blast round or bead blast the whole damn thing?

Anybody have pics of these kids of finishes side to side or comparison?

I will use the pistol for carry, HD sometimes, competitions, etc. I don't expect it to be a safe queen and it will see kydex and leather if that matters. it probably won't be full time CCW for me since I have a TRS for that and like the night sights.

thanks!

On a gun that is going to be carried I would go bead blast. Polished flats show scratches much more and are more work and or expensive to refinish. Appearance wish I prefer polished flats and what I do for a finish on a stainless range gun.

Polished flats and blasted rounds are already what Baer does.

Satin bead blast the whole thing: looks like Kimber or Ruger.

With enough use you will remove the bead blast finish, just from holster wear.

My Kimber I've used for IDPA and USPSA has been refinished 4 times with noticeable wear into the dust cover area. The Slide not so much as that is a Caspian part from a double charge (or more) repair. Funny All I needed was a new slide and magazine. rest of the was ok as is.

This ^^

Also, satin polished flats (not high polished like Colt's Royal Blue, but say to 300 or 400 grit) will hold up to holster wear better than you'd think.