[lurkersince03]

I have a "Loaded" Springfield Armory 1911 that came with the standard parkerized finish and it's starting to wear down pretty good from constant carry and range use. I'm thinking of updating to some kind of tougher, more long lasting finish, and I know there are plenty of options from plenty of smiths out there. The only requirement is that it be done in a clean black. My questions are:

What are some of my options and venders to choose from?

The weapon has to be shipped, more than likely, so how long does it usually take for the return? I know it depends on the guy who does it as some shops may be backlogged in jobs.

What are my price ranges for a full-pistol refinishing?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Technosavant]

Springfield Armory has a number of finishes listed in their Custom Shop work order (available to download on their website). I believe they send most of the refinishing work out to others (for example, the only one doing Black T in black or green is Birdsong), but you can at least get an idea of what it will cost. Don't forget to figure in shipping costs too; for handguns, depending on where you live that can add as much as $100 total (overnight each way) to the cost.

I am sending my gun to the custom shop to have the frame and small parts refinished in Black T (there's a couple other things I want done, which is why it is going to SA's Custom Shop and not directly to Birdsong).

[Black Majik]

I 2nd Black T for the best "black finish"

Go fondle a Springfield PROFESSIONAL to see what the finish is like :)

[progunner1957]

If you don't have to have black, hard chrome is an extremely durable and beautiful finish. For HC, you can send it off to Ted Yost at www.yostbonitz.com and get the whole gun hardchromed for $200(?).

Also, take a look at Tripp Research "Cobra Chrome." Tripp does some outstanding work as far as refinishing guns. You can take a look at http://www.trippresearch.com/index.htm

[Seraph]

If I were you, I'd stick with the parkerized finish (park is my fave, and I love the look of honest holster wear), but, if you insist on an applied finish, in "clean black," I've been getting excellent results with thermally cured ceramic coatings. Consider Cera Kote or KG Ceramic Fill Gun Kote.