Posted: 8/18/2008 5:30:15 PM EDT
| Has anyone sent in a gun for Colt to refinish? I am going to be sending a Python in that I am buying from the 44MAG.com sale in the EE. I am not sure what finish it came with from the factory, either blue or royal blue I guess, but there is a lot of holster wear on the gun, apparently some very light pitting and a little rust. I am not sure if my best option is to send it to colt of have someone else do it. For you guys that have had it done by Colt before, what were the results and turn around times? For those who will recomend someone else, same question. |
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The original Colt Python blue was ALWAYS Royal Blue. Inside the factory, this grade of bluing was known as "the Python blue" no matter what gun it was used on, and was the finest bluing ever done on any brand of production firearm. The quality did vary in later years with the finish not being quite so shiny. People who've sent in Pythons for re-blues say the gun comes back often looking better than it did when new. The re-blue has that deep blue mirror shine the original 1950's Pythons had. Colt even has the ability to refresh worn factory stampings, so the gun will look new. They are very good at cleaning up light pitting. I'm not sure about turn around, but "about" 30 days seems to be the Colt average. If you're going to refinish a Colt, have it done BY Colt. A factory re-finish is worth more than having it done somewhere else. |
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I was very disappointed with Colt's refinishing services. I sent in a Gen 3 Detective special in for a repair and rebluing and was given a lead time of a few months. I paid the fee for rebluing and called about 1-2 months later to check in on it. They stated I hadn't paid and they were awaiting payment. I raised hell and they found the error. New lead time? you guessed it, more weeks/months. I receive the pistol and the bluing itself was nicely done, except for the fact that it was uneven inside the crane, and unbelievably, it had rust stains at the sights and inside the crane (not to mention they forgot to fix the problems I sent it in for). I had to send it back and, yup... wait. It came back (thank God for another call on my part or they would have sent it back not fixed since the problem was still not in their notes). Weeks later it returned with some rust spots at the rear sight and I gave up in disgust. YMMV |
The Diamondback did not have the Royal Blue, just a nice blue. Colt will re-finish any blued gun in Royal Blue on request. On their web site they have a list of finishes they offer. |
BTW: I let this newbie shoot my 22LR Diamondback, and he asked me where he can buy one. I told him that Colt no longer makes it, and that he would have to check Gunbroker or Gunsamerica.com. Man, wait until he find out how much these folks want for their Diamondback. |
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