Posted: 11/10/2015 6:20:52 AM EDT
For a couple years now, I've been gradually learning how to work on 1911s. Replacing parts, a little bit of tuning, some trouble shooting getting pistols to run right, and just general amateur work. Recently, I received from a co-work a 1911 Project gun. Sadly, the pistol was the victim of an alcohol fueled domestic incident, battered by some huge freggin' guy. the co-worker had it for years with the intent of rebuilding himself but now he's passed those ambitions onto me. So this will be the start on the journey for this pistol to be restored. I have located a master pistol smith in my area who has already agreed to help guide me as I progress in my abilities. The pistol has a long way to go but I am excited for the new challenge.
Beaten and battered frame. 
I still see much potential for this. 
Pretty chewed up. 
I will try my hand at checkering the front strap and I may get the trigger guard undercut. 
The frame will need to be straightened out before anything else. 
Tempted to have the slide cut for a Bomar sight rail but I may settle on a set of Trijicon Night sights. 
Not sure what I'll use for a new finish. Maybe re-blue it if the metal can be cleaned up or cerekote. Maybe Parkerization. Again, something I'd leave to a professional. 
Some parts broken, missing, and mangled. |
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I see minor damage as far as the bending is concerned. It should be no problem at all to straighten out. I would straighten the bent areas and have the pistol media-blasted and Parkerized. An option would be bluing after the blast which is called 'black oxide' - looks matte black instead of gray. I would have all externally-visible small parts Manganese-Phosphated which makes them darker than the Parkerizing. I wouldn't worry about the barrel, just polish the chamber end where it's visible in the ejection port. Then just put on a nice set of wood grips and you're in business. Total expenditure about $200.
You could also have the whole thing done by a gunsmith who does refinishing, probably around $350 including a polish and blue. Colt frames are malleable, not brittle, and the slight re-shaping needed should be straightforward as far as I can see. Now if you're determined to make something out of it and do the work yourself, that's another ball of wax. You'll spend quite a bit on tools and supplies, and it may not go that well but will definitely be a learning experience. I hope you can save it and look forward to pictures down the road. |