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Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: After getting a couple of outrageously high quotes, we did the blackening ourselves with this Birchwood-Casey stuff: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1KSJH2J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 @Nick_Adams What process did you use and how did your results turn out? Found a post on reddit about this stuff and their process was a little different than the manufacturers page, but the results looked pretty good. Not quite ready to do a barrel, but have some small parts in stainless that were discontinued and want them in black for a pistol build I'm working on, so figure they would be a good project to start on before doing a more expensive barrel Attached File |
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Originally Posted By ChemTrailZ: @Nick_Adams What process did you use and how did your results turn out? Found a post on reddit about this stuff and their process was a little different than the manufacturers page, but the results looked pretty good.Not quite ready to do a barrel, but have some small parts in stainless that were discontinued and want them in black for a pistol build I'm working on, so figure they would be a good project to start on before doing a more expensive barrelhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/388771/blackening_jpg-3722530.JPG Originally Posted By ChemTrailZ: Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: After getting a couple of outrageously high quotes, we did the blackening ourselves with this Birchwood-Casey stuff: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1KSJH2J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 What process did you use and how did your results turn out? Found a post on reddit about this stuff and their process was a little different than the manufacturers page, but the results looked pretty good.Not quite ready to do a barrel, but have some small parts in stainless that were discontinued and want them in black for a pistol build I'm working on, so figure they would be a good project to start on before doing a more expensive barrelhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/388771/blackening_jpg-3722530.JPG My ‘smith just followed the manufacturer’s directions. After 600+ rounds fired, this is what the hood looks like. Definitely starting to erode faster than expected.  We had thought of sending it out for DLC coating but the quote for just a barrel was absurd. At first I was going to try the Caswell blackening solution, but my 'smith advised the Birchwood-Casey solution had gotten better user reviews. https://caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/stainless-steel-blackener.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMWHsEQxDlAXhOvj_IBihI_G6xWXoJ-XbB-3mnQWfXV_tgik0a |
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Originally Posted By Dunderway: Nice! How do you like the Wilson ambi? It looks a lot like the older Ed Brown they used. I know the newer machined ones are a nicer, but the price is a little crazy to me for a safety. Yeah, I want to get one of KC’s safety installed with the stamped serial but the Wilson was $45 vs $185. KC was very helpful with any email questions had and his lanyard mainspring is a very solid product. I do like the Wilson ambi, very smooth but also very positive. Definitely does the job required. |
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Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: @ChemTrailZ . My 'smith just followed the manufacturer's directions. After 600+ rounds fired, this is what the hood looks like. Definitely starting to erode faster than expected. https://i.imgur.com/z58MeTZ.jpeg We had thought of sending it out for DLC coating but the quote for just a barrel was absurd. At first I was going to try the Caswell blackening solution, but my 'smith advised the Birchwood-Casey solution had gotten better user reviews. https://caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/stainless-steel-blackener.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMWHsEQxDlAXhOvj_IBihI_G6xWXoJ-XbB-3mnQWfXV_tgik0a |
So are we not doing phrasing anymore?
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Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: @ChemTrailZ …. My ‘smith just followed the manufacturer’s directions. After 600+ rounds fired, this is what the hood looks like. Definitely starting to erode faster than expected. https://i.imgur.com/z58MeTZ.jpeg We had thought of sending it out for DLC coating but the quote for just a barrel was absurd. At first I was going to try the Caswell blackening solution, but my 'smith advised the Birchwood-Casey solution had gotten better user reviews. https://caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/stainless-steel-blackener.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMWHsEQxDlAXhOvj_IBihI_G6xWXoJ-XbB-3mnQWfXV_tgik0a Evolution armory will DLC a barrel for $60. Is that really so absurd? |
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Originally Posted By friskydingo: Evolution armory will DLC a barrel for $60. Is that really so absurd? Originally Posted By friskydingo: Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: @ChemTrailZ …. My ‘smith just followed the manufacturer’s directions. After 600+ rounds fired, this is what the hood looks like. Definitely starting to erode faster than expected. https://i.imgur.com/z58MeTZ.jpeg We had thought of sending it out for DLC coating but the quote for just a barrel was absurd. At first I was going to try the Caswell blackening solution, but my 'smith advised the Birchwood-Casey solution had gotten better user reviews. https://caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/stainless-steel-blackener.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMWHsEQxDlAXhOvj_IBihI_G6xWXoJ-XbB-3mnQWfXV_tgik0a Evolution armory will DLC a barrel for $60. Is that really so absurd? |
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Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: @ChemTrailZ …. My ‘smith just followed the manufacturer’s directions. After 600+ rounds fired, this is what the hood looks like. Definitely starting to erode faster than expected. https://i.imgur.com/z58MeTZ.jpeg We had thought of sending it out for DLC coating but the quote for just a barrel was absurd. At first I was going to try the Caswell blackening solution, but my 'smith advised the Birchwood-Casey solution had gotten better user reviews. https://caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/stainless-steel-blackener.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMWHsEQxDlAXhOvj_IBihI_G6xWXoJ-XbB-3mnQWfXV_tgik0a Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: Originally Posted By ChemTrailZ: Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: After getting a couple of outrageously high quotes, we did the blackening ourselves with this Birchwood-Casey stuff: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1KSJH2J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 What process did you use and how did your results turn out? Found a post on reddit about this stuff and their process was a little different than the manufacturers page, but the results looked pretty good.Not quite ready to do a barrel, but have some small parts in stainless that were discontinued and want them in black for a pistol build I'm working on, so figure they would be a good project to start on before doing a more expensive barrelhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/388771/blackening_jpg-3722530.JPG My ‘smith just followed the manufacturer’s directions. After 600+ rounds fired, this is what the hood looks like. Definitely starting to erode faster than expected. https://i.imgur.com/z58MeTZ.jpeg We had thought of sending it out for DLC coating but the quote for just a barrel was absurd. At first I was going to try the Caswell blackening solution, but my 'smith advised the Birchwood-Casey solution had gotten better user reviews. https://caswellplating.com/metal-finishing-solutions/stainless-steel-blackener.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMWHsEQxDlAXhOvj_IBihI_G6xWXoJ-XbB-3mnQWfXV_tgik0a That doesn't look bad at all to me. Anything is going to wear quite quickly there I would think, I haven't ever had a DLC'd a barrel though. |
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So are we not doing phrasing anymore?
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Thought it was time to add some pics of my Gen 1 MEUSOC tribute pistol now that the last four ser.# digits were stamped. The base pairing is a Colt 1911 'Black Army'-era frame with a Colt Mfg. hard slide.  Generally, the build follows the Gen 1 pattern as described in K.C. Crawford's historical essay on the MEUSOC pistols, and in fact we used several of his parts.  We deviated on a couple, most notably the grip safety, as a sort of homage to honor the frame's 1918 roots in the Great War. So the result is a 'tribute' pistol rather than a strict, to-spec Gen 1 clone. But it's pretty close anyway, I think.      For the grip safety we used WC's muted concealment unit. The profile was shaped and contoured by master pistolsmith Vic Tibbets to resemble the "short spur" grip safety of a 1911. Given that the rear tangs had already been mangled by a previous owner, Vic did great work in modifying the grip safety and then blending it to the frame to capture a 'Retro' look.   The pics pretty much cover it. ..... Not wanting to make a long old thread any longer, I'll save the parts list for a follow-up post if folks want more detail on the build. |
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Originally Posted By Lawman75: Could you show a pic of the thumb safety disengaged of the right side pistol? I have the same safety and I had to cut some material off the Hogue's to get it off safe.  |
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Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: Is this what you're looking for? The grips are Pachmyers by the way, not Hogues. https://i.imgur.com/ZXY1xRP.jpeg Yep, I meant Pachmyers.  Thank you! I wonder why mine needed to be relieved?Mine: 
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Originally Posted By Lawman75: Just an update. Had another set of Pachmyers that I had set aside and when I compared them to the ones on my gun they were shorter. I swapped them and now it’s as it should be. Now I just need to get the barrel and bushing blackened. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/125490/IMG_6828-3763457.jpg Are these kind of a magwell cut or how does the lower end looks like. All my Pachs are having a normal bevel cut down there but I’m looking for a set that has the straight cut. |
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Originally Posted By darg508: Are these kind of a magwell cut or how does the lower end looks like. All my Pachs are having a normal bevel cut down there but I’m looking for a set that has the straight cut. These are beveled. Just can’t tell from the angle of the picture. I believe I ordered these from MGW. They were in the Springfield Armory section so assume it’s the same ones they use for their Marine Operator. |
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Originally Posted By Lawman75: Just an update. Had another set of Pachmyers that I had set aside and when I compared them to the ones on my gun they were shorter. I swapped them and now it’s as it should be. Now I just need to get the barrel and bushing blackened. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/125490/IMG_6828-3763457.jpg |
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Originally Posted By Lawman75: These are beveled. Just can’t tell from the angle of the picture.I believe I ordered these from MGW. They were in the Springfield Armory section so assume it’s the same ones they use for their Marine Operator. Originally Posted By Lawman75: Originally Posted By darg508: Are these kind of a magwell cut or how does the lower end looks like. All my Pachs are having a normal bevel cut down there but I’m looking for a set that has the straight cut. |
All Pachmayr 1911 rubber grips (GM-45, GM-45C, GM-45G) have subtle bevel at the bottom and grip length was not long enough to reach the bottom end of the frame. These rubber grips were predated magwell popularity. Also, in the past, cosmetic appearance was the least concern for old timers. 
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Originally Posted By Lawman75: Thanks! It’s more and inspired by but I’ve done all the work so I’m pretty proud of it. Originally Posted By Lawman75: Originally Posted By Nick_Adams:Looks great! |
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Originally Posted By mlin: All Pachmayr 1911 rubber grips (GM-45, GM-45C, GM-45G) have subtle bevel at the bottom and grip length was not long enough to reach the bottom end of the frame. These rubber grips were predated magwell popularity. Also, in the past, cosmetic appearance was the least concern for old timers. https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/bradfordsauction/35/715335/H22021-L275866559.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/CRQJxjx.jpeg Darn, I was looking around for magwell cut wrap arounds but all have a bevel. The ones with the palmswel seem to have the least bevel |
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Originally Posted By Melvin_Johnson: Possible source for a rail. https://www.machinecraftreplicas.com/products/koenig-mr-o7-mr07-alternative-for-rail-less-45-acp-1911s?_pos=1&_sid=062ba3e90&_ss=r&variant=56405648408742 |
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Originally Posted By Melvin_Johnson: Possible source for a rail. https://www.machinecraftreplicas.com/products/koenig-mr-o7-mr07-alternative-for-rail-less-45-acp-1911s?_pos=1&_sid=062ba3e90&_ss=r&variant=56405648408742 Not what I am looking for. |
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Originally Posted By mlin: Surefire MR07 was not existed when Gen1/Gen2 MEUSOC pistols were around. Mostly for Gen4 era. Glad to have alternative, but will wait for the pricing and someone to be the guinea pigs to evaluate that extended slide stop and durability. and FWIW, between the lack of available holsters 25 years ago and the issues I had with slide stop, I was severely underwhelmed by the original SF MR07. I ditched it and moved on to the railed Desert Warrior as soon as I could. If it had any chance for it being perfected, I suspect that SF would've fixed the design and kept making them. |
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”
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Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: Thought it was time to add some pics of my Gen 1 MEUSOC tribute pistol now that the last four ser.# digits were stamped. The base pairing is a Colt 1911 'Black Army'-era frame with a Colt Mfg. hard slide. https://i.imgur.com/SlzZIIa.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/62KZu6r.jpeg Generally, the build follows the Gen 1 pattern as described in K.C. Crawford's historical essay on the MEUSOC pistols, and in fact we used several of his parts. https://i.imgur.com/TZDEPkW.jpeg We deviated on a couple, most notably the grip safety, as a sort of homage to honor the frame's 1918 roots in the Great War. So the result is a 'tribute' pistol rather than a strict, to-spec Gen 1 clone. But it's pretty close anyway, I think. https://i.imgur.com/r6Qm6N6.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/HXvA0Ts.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/i051OUF.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Q9Pri4N.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/w9RQA4Q.jpeg For the grip safety we used WC's muted concealment unit. The profile was shaped and contoured by master pistolsmith Vic Tibbets to resemble the "short spur" grip safety of a 1911. Given that the rear tangs had already been mangled by a previous owner, Vic did great work in modifying the grip safety and then blending it to the frame to capture a 'Retro' look. https://i.imgur.com/nUn8bSo.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/85ZV2xE.jpeg The pics pretty much cover it. ..... Not wanting to make a long old thread any longer, I'll save the parts list for a follow-up post if folks want more detail on the build. Outstanding! This is exactly what I have in mind. Just need time and money. |
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Originally Posted By GunnyG: and FWIW, between the lack of available holsters 25 years ago and the issues I had with slide stop, I was severely underwhelmed by the original SF MR07. I ditched it and moved on to the railed Desert Warrior as soon as I could. If it had any chance for it being perfected, I suspect that SF would've fixed the design and kept making them. |
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Originally Posted By Gullskjegg: Outstanding! This is exactly what I have in mind. Just need time and money. Originally Posted By Gullskjegg: Originally Posted By Nick_Adams: Thought it was time to add some pics of my Gen 1 MEUSOC tribute pistol now that the last four ser.# digits were stamped. The base pairing is a Colt 1911 'Black Army'-era frame with a Colt Mfg. hard slide. https://i.imgur.com/SlzZIIa.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/62KZu6r.jpeg Generally, the build follows the Gen 1 pattern as described in K.C. Crawford's historical essay on the MEUSOC pistols, and in fact we used several of his parts. https://i.imgur.com/TZDEPkW.jpeg We deviated on a couple, most notably the grip safety, as a sort of homage to honor the frame's 1918 roots in the Great War. So the result is a 'tribute' pistol rather than a strict, to-spec Gen 1 clone. But it's pretty close anyway, I think. https://i.imgur.com/r6Qm6N6.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/HXvA0Ts.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/i051OUF.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Q9Pri4N.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/w9RQA4Q.jpeg For the grip safety we used WC's muted concealment unit. The profile was shaped and contoured by master pistolsmith Vic Tibbets to resemble the "short spur" grip safety of a 1911. Given that the rear tangs had already been mangled by a previous owner, Vic did great work in modifying the grip safety and then blending it to the frame to capture a 'Retro' look. https://i.imgur.com/nUn8bSo.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/85ZV2xE.jpeg The pics pretty much cover it. ..... Not wanting to make a long old thread any longer, I'll save the parts list for a follow-up post if folks want more detail on the build. Outstanding! This is exactly what I have in mind. Just need time and money. Let me know if you want to see our build sheet/parts checklist (aside from the hard slide and USGI frame). I’ll be happy to add it here for the benefit of the group. |
 M16A4 and MEUSOC day.#GWOT |
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Originally Posted By Squirrel_Cop: Laser engraving the serial numbers to inch closer to clone correct. https://i.ibb.co/F480DL8f/IMG-9151.jpg   |
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Originally Posted By Squirrel_Cop: Laser engraving the serial numbers to inch closer to clone correct. https://i.ibb.co/F480DL8f/IMG-9151.jpg |
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Originally Posted By mlin: By the time Operator slide showed up on late Gen 4, Cylinder & Slide oval hammers were used exclusively. Also Corps never used large opening ring hammers previously either. It's always the regular size opening ring hammer. This is why I love this thread. Thank you for the info. |
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Originally Posted By mlin: By the time Operator slide showed up on late Gen 4, Cylinder & Slide oval hammers were used exclusively. Also Corps never used large opening ring hammers previously either. It's always the regular size opening ring hammer. https://i.imgur.com/a3Kt0BP.jpeghttps://i.imgur.com/pqCMKCh.jpeg I miss that day. That was my photo. Good times! |
Decided to turn this into a V4. Ordered grips (most important part ), grip safety and MSH with lanyard loop. Still deciding what to do with front sight (not a Novak dovetail, either have one milled or just use a Harrison sight). Gonna find a local gunsmith to do a trigger job with the C&S parts eventually as I think that's still a little above my pay grade.  Probably gonna move these grips and S&A magwell over to my TRP. |
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Originally Posted By C12DG: I miss that day. That was my photo. Good times! Originally Posted By C12DG: Originally Posted By mlin: By the time Operator slide showed up on late Gen 4, Cylinder & Slide oval hammers were used exclusively. Also Corps never used large opening ring hammers previously either. It's always the regular size opening ring hammer. https://i.imgur.com/a3Kt0BP.jpeghttps://i.imgur.com/pqCMKCh.jpeg I miss that day. That was my photo. Good times! Were they purchased in anticipation of railed guns coming online, or was it just what SA had, it met the specifications and the Marines didn't care about looks? |
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Anyone in this thread have a spare, legitimate steel Dawson rail I can borrow for a weeks? Would like to send it to a machinist I’ve worked with previously to get a price on duplication with a minimum order number. Look at my feedback, I’m trustworthy with your part, worst case you get it back in a few weeks, best case I can get pricing on a potential group buy. Just IM me if interested |
