Posted: 10/3/2011 6:34:14 PM EDT
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Folks, I acquired a fully functional Colt Lightweight Commander with the finish completely removed from the alloy frame and the blueing really worn around the muzzle and the edges of the slide. It's a good shooter but begs to be refinished. When I called Colt, they said they will do it for $275 and they are local to me so I can drop it off without shipping.
So, I wanted to find out about Colt Mfg refinishing abilities. How good of a job do they do on stuff like that? Any input helps, especially if you had dealings with them. |
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Folks, I acquired a fully functional Colt Lightweight Commander with the finish completely removed from the alloy frame and the blueing really worn around the muzzle and the edges of the slide. It's a good shooter but begs to be refinished. When I called Colt, they said they will do it for $275 and they are local to me so I can drop it off without shipping. So, I wanted to find out about Colt Mfg refinishing abilities. How good of a job do they do on stuff like that? Any input helps, especially if you had dealings with them. should be good as new. except for scratches, pitting, etc. |
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I am a shoot it as it is kind of guy but I realize that isn't for everyone
The alloy frames on the lightweight colts generally look pretty ragged in no time , never was sure if this was because they are softer or because the alloy just doesn't hold finish well. I guess that having colt do the work would be the safest bet both from the standpoint that the job will be decent and the value will be better than from some private shop. This is one of those things where you have to want to have it done for the satisfaction of making an abused gun right or something as it never really makes for a good choice from an economic standpoint. In general terms you could find a gun in better shape and sell off the ragged one and be ahead dollar wise . The problem with this case is there are not many lightweight commanders out there on the used market. May I be the first one to demand before and after photos if you decide to go forward? |
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Not too many people can REALLY do a good job at refinishing alloy guns, and give 'em a finish that'll keep; many cheap out on the proper processes (for example: Kimber used to Anodize their alloy frames, now they use a spray and bake "kimpro" finish that sucks in comparison). Get it done from the factory, and they'll treat it right. It's not like they don't have the prerequisite experience to do it well. If you don't have it done by the factory, find a good aftermarket custom shop, like Novak (though Novak hates working on the lightweight commanders, or so I've been told from a source that lives down the street from him). |
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I had a LW Commander refinished at Colts. It started to flake inside the dust cover. They re fixed it without delay. They know what to do and do it. BTW, I have one with a custom finish on it and it is superb. Thank you for your input. Two follow-up questions: 1. Did your Commander start to flake after the refinish or did the original finish start to go? 2. What custom finish do you have on your other Commander? |
| I had Colt refinish the aluminum frame on my Defender in hard chrome of all things. Didn't think it was possible to do that to aluminum, but they told me it was hard chrome. Looks different than traditional anodizing. I think they send their stuff off for refinishing and don't do it in-house, at least that was my impression based on my conversation with them. The job done was very good, but the finish is peeling off on the inside of the frame rails where the slide runs. That's my only complaint. |
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Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap.
Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: 
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Quoted: Eww.Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap. Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtFrontB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtLeftB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtRightB4.jpg |
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Quoted: Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap. Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtFrontB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtLeftB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtRightB4.jpg Dear Jesus.  |
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Quoted: Good grief! It reads COLT plain as day on the slide. Why in the world would anybody do that to a pistol with COLT clearly roll marked on it? Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap. Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtFrontB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtLeftB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtRightB4.jpg |
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Quoted:
Good grief! It reads COLT plain as day on the slide. Why in the world would anybody do that to a pistol with COLT clearly roll marked on it?
Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap. Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtFrontB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtLeftB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtRightB4.jpg They own it and were more instered in function over form. |
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Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap. Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtFrontB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtLeftB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtRightB4.jpg I don't even like Colt 1911 pistols goddamn thet guy hated this gun. |
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Quoted: Golly Gee, really?Quoted: Quoted: Good grief! It reads COLT plain as day on the slide. Why in the world would anybody do that to a pistol with COLT clearly roll marked on it? Whichever finish I am going to do, I still need to fix the "stippling" that was done before. So, after about an hour, the front of the triggerguard is like new. I need a break before I get to the front strap. Here are pictures of how it came to me, for posterity sake: http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtFrontB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtLeftB4.jpg http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ColtRightB4.jpg They own it and were more instered in function over form.  |
Well, I could not bring myself up to doing the front strap so I gave it to a friend who is an actual 1911 'smith. He took 5 hours to do it but he did it right. He also added the relief under the trigger-guard, cut the slide edges down and broke the edges on the ejection port. Additionally, he replaced some parts: bushings, screws, springs and such. Here she is, ready for duracoat:
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List of work went as follows;
clean and degrease gun. ( Dip tank) remove stipple from front strap high cut under trigger guard touch up front of trigger guard dehorn frame dehorn slide dehorn barrel bushing true sides of slide and remove minor rust starting on front side of slide clean up rear sight that was crushed on one side from drop. polish sides of hammer which was starting to rust. stake hammer strut pin stake barrel link pin retension extractor replace and Loctite grip bushings replace grip screws. replace hammer and sear pin replace Mainspring housing replace mainspring and caps replace mainspring housing pins. replace recoil spring replace firing pin spring replace magazine spring lube and reassemble safety check The metal was thick enough on the front strap, so 3 hours later. some filing, some emery, and then some sandpaper and it was like new. 
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Fine, I will replace these Hogues... With other Hogues!!!! Seriously, I think they look classic and they feel great. I played with many really expensive guns that have G10, micarta, checkered wood, carbon fiber and other sharp objects. I prefer these Hogues and Pachmayrs.
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Now put some real grips on her....................She deserves it! Vlodpg, you know me better than that. I love those grips and they are staying. When you rescue your own Colt Lightweight Commander, you can put whatever grips you want on it. :) Now, when are we going shooting, bro? |
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Now put some real grips on her....................She deserves it! Vlodpg, you know me better than that. I love those grips and they are staying. When you rescue your own Colt Lightweight Commander, you can put whatever grips you want on it. :) Now, when are we going shooting, bro? Tomorrow AM HRSA 9am |
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I had Colt refinish the aluminum frame on my Defender in hard chrome of all things. Didn't think it was possible to do that to aluminum, but they told me it was hard chrome. Looks different than traditional anodizing. I think they send their stuff off for refinishing and don't do it in-house, at least that was my impression based on my conversation with them. The job done was very good, but the finish is peeling off on the inside of the frame rails where the slide runs. That's my only complaint. I think you may be right. IIRC, Colt uses 'Accurate Plating and Weaponry'. |
