[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I have two Cobra's from the early fifties. Light weights -I think they are. Fixed sights. Will Colt reblue them? Cost?

-Steve

[jlundy46]

Hi Steve,
I recently sent a Trooper MK III back to Colt for re-bluing and they did a fantastic job. They told me it would take about 36 work days and the price was aboput $200 which included shipping back to me. I had my local gun shop send it back so the shop became the customer, so I had to pay the shop who then paid Colt. They send you a quote and then when they receive payment they start. I can post or email you before and after shots if you like.

Is it a tad snowing up there in Lynden?
John

[jlundy46]

Here are before and after pics. I also replaced the original grips with nicer ones.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n264/jlundy46/Dsc05911small.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n264/jlundy46/TrooperMKIII2small.jpg

I just asked for the standard factory finish. I think you can ask for a Royal blue finish (more polishing) but I am sure it is more expensive.

John

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Gosh, I don't know that I would have reblued that one. Good looking piece!

I'll keep Colt in mind when I've got some extra mad money on hand. I think the frames are aluminum. I wonder if that's gonna cost more.

Snow is melting. But we've got drifts in the north county up the sides of some houses. White-out conditions earlier this week. The Frasier NE winds were howling. I've gotten roughly 2' at my house NE of Lynden this week. Some drifts to 4'+ tween the house and the shop. Temperatures were lower than normal. 8 degrees yesterday morning. Much warmer now. Lowland flooding will be the next worry.

-Steve

[Shear_stress]

Howdy Steve,

Bear in mind that the Cobra has an aluminum frame and can't be reblued conventionally. You need to have the frame reanodized instead.

[The Real Hawkeye]

I've had Colt reblue a Python about ten or fifteen years ago. They did a great job. Shipped it right back to my front door. Bit expensive, as I recall. Other good shops will do it for less and just as well, I think. Try Cylinder & Slide.

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I know my older Cobras are aluminum, but are all Cobra's aluminum?

-Steve

[Black Knight]

I had my Colt Python reblued about 2 - 3 years ago. I got it back in 4 weeks, it cost about $165 and looks perfect. It looks as good as the day my dad bought it in 1979.

[dfariswheel]

I've "heard" that Colt is no longer refinishing aluminum frames, due to EPA regulations/harassment.

One place that offers factory level re-bluing AND aluminum re-anodizing is Ford's:
http://www.fordsguns.com/index1.htm

[GrantCunningham]

A client of mine recently contacted Colt about refinishing a Cobra, and was told that they no longer did anodizing.

I'll second dfw's recommendation of Ford's; I've seen a number of examples of their work, and all were very well done. In fact, I recently worked on a .357 model that Ford's had refinished, and the job was superb. Highly recommended.