[Seiko]

Attention home brew "gun smiths" STOP


Well I got a real nice deal on a 1911 the other day.... $50 for a Factory ACE 22lr.
Thanks to the home gunsmith that ruined the frame :)
Look at this checkering. I under stand we all have to start someplace but a in box Colt ACE is not the first gun to try and checker on.

The beaver tail is so ill fitted that it doesn't even work. Or I should say cant even work. It hangs up on the inside radius. Yet the ground above where it hangs.....:barf: 30 seconds with a dremel in the right spot would have made it work right in the first place instead of ruining the frame even more.

The internals all appear to be old Kings Gun Works parts from the 70's vintage.
Notice the styling hotness that is the rusted safety :scrutiny:.

At least I got a 22lr conversion for a 1911 for $50 if nothing else. I'm debating on cleaning it up and keeping it original. Not too much I can do on that front strap short of cutting it off and welding on a new one. But can at least make it look presentable.


So take heart dear dremel warriors please don't ruin nice guns. buy a cheap rock island or something to practice on..... Breaks my heart to see this nice of a gun ruined.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2182211632_b5f7108951_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2181423669_fe4a4b874b_o.jpg

Where its actually hanging hanging up not allowing it to work.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2182211426_9eb2d864fc_o.jpg
Yet they ground it above the beaver tail.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2182211512_08a49f8564_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/2181423781_5c77fcae55_o.jpg


UPDATE FIRST POST ON PAGE 3

[lee n. field]

At least the cuts are straight on the checkering. He didn't do it freehand.

[Black Majik]

Wow, what a shame.

Nice deal though :D

[Titus]

Breaks my heart to see this nice of a gun ruined.

Well I'll give you $30 for it. I can't give you $50 cause I have to get a new safety and all for it.

[XavierBreath]

A little bit of Bondo, a little bit of paint.............Nobody will ever know!

[hexidismal]

Attention home brew "gun smiths" STOP

hehe.. some of us happen to be very good home brew gunsmiths you know .. I haven't screwed anything up .. yet" :D

[Kman]

I think ya did pretty good for $50!! the box probably bring that, and a little elbow grease might bring that checkering up to snuff, then ya got yourself a heck of a nice shooter!
But I do understand the frustration encountered when looking at such a collectible,,,,ugh, it's a shame.

[CrawdaddyJim]

It would take a little work. But it isn't FUBAR'd. Besides it's just a gov't model. Aint like its a SIG. :D

[Parruthead]

Maybe if you dura-coat heavy enough you can cover all that checkering up...

[Seiko]

Theres no fixing the checkering itself. Its too deep to make it right.
Sadly it looks better in the picture then it is. But I might be able to clean it up enough that it wont piss me off every time I look at it without cutting it off and welding on a new front strap.

Xavier you know what..... Being its a 22 it almost might. A 45 would work till the first shot, but a 22 you never know.

Trust me not complaining about a $50 colt by any means :)
Guy walked into the gun store I was at today and they said they wouldn't buy it (they don't sell used)..... So out to the parking lot I go :) Guy wanted $75 I said hmmm don't know he said $50, OK!! Bout broke my hand getting my wallet out.

[gunmn74]

You could put a pair of Pachmayer grips on it that wrap around the
front to hide the bad dremal work.:)

[Mr.510]

A $2 piece of grip tape will fix that right up! :D Out of sight, out of mind! I would probably fire up the TIG, fill in the botched checkering, and reshape.

[The Lone Haranguer]

:what: :banghead: :fire: :barf:

[earplug]

Buy a checkering file of the right pattern and fix it. The checkering is not that deep. Notice the flat tops. You want pointy diamonds.
I hope you practice on some round stock first. Its scary to checker on a real gun the first time. Take your time and have fun.

[Caipirinha]

Here's how you fix that grip:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89209686

[Jim K]

It is a little consolation that it isn't a "real" ACE.

Jim

[TAB]

I've seen alot worse.

[10-Ring]

Tough way to learn a lesson :rolleyes:

[TacoMalo]

That's pretty bad :cuss:

[BP44]

I will give you $75 and pay for shipping and FFL:what:

[mastermoparman]

Here's how you fix that grip:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=89209686

duck tap will fix any thing

[macFarlaine]

the checkering to the sides and ends can be smartened up,it does not seem that deep.

[dhoomonyou]

HOGUE monogrip

http://www.gunclips.net/hogue1911grip.html

[4v50 Gary]

I'm sorry to see that you have been taken so badly for your hard earned money. :D

[farscott]

If you want the front strap fixed so that you will not be able to see the damage, send it to EGW. George Smith has been very successfully cutting out and welding new front straps into frames that been victimized.

[Joe Demko]

If welding it up and reshaping the front strap isn't an option, I believe that front stap could be salvaged by liberally slathering the front strap with accraglas or similar product so as to fill in the cuts. Reshape, then refinish the frame with one of the spray-on products..

[The Lone Haranguer]

The unevenness of the checkering is bad enough, but the vertical gouges extending beyond the border are truly egregious. :mad:

I make minor repairs on my guns, but draw the line at anything that requires removing or displacing metal. And I am a mechanic by trade. ;)

[gym]

skateboard tape

[Jim Watson]

Lots of Smart-As, one right answer from farscott. EGW will charge $175 for a new frontstrap. They can also weld up the horns and properly fit a better looking beavertail, that would be easier than trying to bring it back to Colt shape.

[tallpaul]

For 50 ya stole it! MAtter of fact it may be stolen:eek: Ya might wanna check... Hope ya got a reciept.

Pachmeyer or hougue wrap arounds would work :neener:

I would see if ya could have someone even up the checkering instead of negating it or maybe even "stipple it" - that may be worth a shot especially if ya want to cut it off and redo anyhow.

I would get it runnin and see what ya really have first though.

[Markbo]

It is a little consolation that it isn't a "real" ACE.

Jim, how do you know? I don't own one so I cannot tell just from memory. Is it an ACE upper on a GI lower?


Being one of those home brew gunsmiths who likes to do their own thang, I can sure relate to a fubar'd job like that... fortunately mine have all been in wood or on something that is not ruined, like a perfectly good frame! Yikes :eek:

Seiko you might be better off redoing all the fitting yourself, welding up the front strap and rebluing the lower yourself. I can't tell from just the pic, but that checkering looks awfully deep to me. And is it rusting in there already??? sure looks like it.

[Thylacine]

Have you looked under the grips yet?

[Seiko]

No the guns not stolen, I ran it through the police department before buying it.

Markbo,
Yep thats rust. I got a ton of 1911's so bought it for the upper. But would be nice to save the frame. Going to spend a little time messing with it before I resort to welding, but honestly thats what its going to take.

Its a real ACE. Serial Number SM18000 something (don't have it right in front of me) Think Jim Keenan is referring to the fact that its not a Pre War ACE. If it were a pre war it would have been a $4000 gun not a $1000 gun :)

Thylacine, yeah Ive had the entire gun apart why?

[weisse52]

For $50 that was a pretty good deal. Looks rough now, but I think with a little time and effort this can be saved.
The suggestion of Pachmayer grips is a quick fix till you can get to EGW (great people).
Or, as suggested, pick up another frame and practice.
And as someone has already said, I will give you $75 and pay postage!!
:evil:

[Fumbler]

Man that looks like a great deal.

I'm a home smith...but I know my limits

If I had that I'd probably fill the checkering with silver solder, file it all nice and flat, fix the beavertail's hangup, and refinish with a bake on finish like gun kote or moly resin.

[kd7nqb]

Ok so I was laying in bed last night after reading this thead and thought, I KNOW THE SOLUTION

Billy Mays, Mighty Putty
http://hobbies-leisure.drleonards.com/Hobbies-Leisure/Home-Repair-Tools/Mighty-Putty/46999.cfm

doubt it would stay on after some .45acp recoil. But it could be a fun experiment.

For $50 you did well even with the work it will be worth the cost.

[Seiko]

LOL mighty putty
Ill use that the next time I tow my trailer and forget the hitch too :D

[Jaenak]

That's sad to see such a nice gun raped like that. However, that looks WAY better than a picture I saw of a revolver a while back. I think it was something like a S&W revolver with a pink frame and a red grip, all looking like a bad spray paint job. Compared to that, this looks AWESOME!

[weaselchew]

I would check out some metal-specific epoxies, I'd imagine they would work well for this application.

I've seen metal-filled epoxy used to fill a hole in metal... the cured epoxy was then drilled and tapped and an eye bolt was screwed into it and supported a fair load without issue. Recoil, especially from the .22, shouldn't even phase it... It'd be worth a shot- even if it doesn't work out, you'd be no worse off then you are now.

[XavierBreath]

Frontstrap options are:

1. Live with it.

2. Attempt to correct the checkering.

3. Fill the checkering and refinish. Fillers include epoxies and silver solder.

4. Cover the front strap. Covers include wrap around grips, skateboard tape, and this item (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=16409&st=wilson%20checkering%201911&s=).

Other'n that, you got a smokin' deal!

[Fumbler]

The problem with epoxies is if you want to refinish with a bake on finish.

Think ahead before picking a filler. Epoxy is easy to work with, but if you want to use a bake on finish then the epoxy may soften during the baking process and lease you with a funky surface.

It kinda sucks...whatever you do to fill the front strap leaves you with only spray on refinishing options.

[PCRCCW]

Personally Id get the right shape of checkering files and Ill bet your could make it pretty decent.........not smokin nice but pretty decent.

Personally Ive done worse................there you have it!


Shoot well and god bless

[f4t9r]

its still a deal for 50 bucks. want to sell that 22 upper ??
just send me pm.

[S&W45]

I think I am going to cry!! Who ever messed up that once nice Ace needs to be hurt.

[Fumbler]

I think I am going to cry!! Who ever messed up that once nice Ace needs to be hurt.
I think selling it for 50 bucks hurt enough;)

[ASM826]

Covering the checkering with skateboard tape has already been mentioned, but it's a lot cheaper than having the frame welded. Reinstalling the beavertail correctly is easy enough, and you don't have to worry about hurting the value by damaging the finish.

I'd get it functioning correctly and fitted, have it parked or amory-koted and consider myself lucky to own a such a fine .22 cal 1911 for $50.00.

You didn't do the damage, you're just the lucky guy who benefited.

[Harley Quinn]

ASM826 I'm with you, as far as the OP giving everyone a lecture I'd say get it fixed and get off your highhorse, send it to a gunsmith who will help with it to get it shooting. You got it for 50 dollars :eek: I mean what a deal.

HQ

[Otony]

It is a Rube Goldberg fix, but what about buying one of those checkered frontstraps from Wilson and epoxying or silver soldering it over that checkering?

I'm sure you know the one to which I refer, it is a super thin piece of, well, sheetmetal that is the upscale version of skateboard tape. I imagine Wilson still makes 'em!

Oops, I see Xavierbreath beat me to it. Butit is a very effective fix, none the less.

[jpwilly]

Take it to a real gunsmith and have him redo. Be greatful for the home brew gunsmith he just saved you $950!

[Dragonboy]

such a pretty gun, too...

[Seiko]

Well here's a quick update....

Just for the heck of it I tried JB weld, turned out very well, but when I went to bead blast and slipped so I ruined it.
So broke out the TIG and filled it all in, ground it flush, duracoat and then put grip tape over it. Still have to relieve the grips just a tad to make up for the grip tape.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2188720422_876705aca1_o.jpg

Still waiting for my brownells order to show up with the new main spring and beaver tail and so on. But heres a quick shot. I'll update again once its all together.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2187934231_398064d027_o.jpg

[jeepmor]

Lookin good. You saved a ton on that, anything you do will only move it up the value scale.

An ACE for 50 bucks that functions, it was steal, we all know that.

[kd7nqb]

Sweet, looking great.

[mrmeval]

Beat that one into scrap and go buy the $1000 one.

[Justin]

How's it shoot?

I'm told the Colt Ace's have a tendency to get fouled very quickly.

[pgeleven]

a good ol hogue screw on grip will hide that blemish and give you a better grip than standard checkering

[lance22]

LOL put a bag over it and tell people it's a glock ;)

[Markbo]

Nothing short of a miraculous job there Seiko! ;)

[Harley Quinn]

pgeleven
a good ol hogue screw on grip will hide that blemish and give you a better grip than standard checkering
**************
Yes that is true and one that I would have recommended at first, but it seemed the OP was interested in sympathy :neener: For the $50 invested you would then invest another 25 for the grip and shipping cant even figure he would want to do that and get more money into it. :p

All in fun...Edit

[Markbo]

I believe I am done here.

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