Central Ohio Gunsmithing

[forwardSGT38]

Hey all, I have a question for anyone who can help me out. I know a fair amount about guns, more than Joe Public in general probably knows at least. But I have no problem admitting that the knowledge base most of you in the THR community have dwarfs my own. I come to you all in search of wisdom.

So my question actually has several parts:
- Where is a good place in central Ohio to go for gunsmithing needs?
- Would I necessarily have to go to a gunsmith if I only require a refinishing?
- And, lastly, what type of finish would you all recommend for a SA 1911 A-1? I've heard good things about ceramic coatings in the past. Any insight?

This handgun was a hand-me-down from my father, so there's some sentimental value in it for me. There are a few scratches on the factory stainless steel finish and I am about to do some work to it...I just want it to look nice when I'm finished. Thanks for any advice you guys can give me.

 

[dfariswheel]

Can't help you on a gunsmith but for gun refinishing, you better off to send it to a top professional gun refinishing service.

If the gun is stainless steel, just have a re-finisher re-polish it to remove the scratches.
You could also just send it in to Springfield and have them restore the polish.

Under Federal law, you are allowed to ship a firearm, including pistols, to a gunsmith or re-finisher for work, and he can ship the gun directly back to you.
You have to ship via UPS or Fed-Ex. You CAN NOT ship though the US Post Office. Only a FFL Dealer can do that.

Here's some of the very best professional gun re-finishers in America. Note that these days you can get cheap re-finishing, or you can get GOOD refinishing, you can't get both.
Cheap refinishing will look like it, and will ruin the gun:

http://www.apwcogan.com/
(Possibly the best all-round gun re-finisher)

http://www.fordsguns.com/

http://www.gunbluing.com/

http://www.elitecustomguns.com/index1.htm

 

[forgetitohio]

It depends on what you want the gun to look like.
There's a company in Springfield, OH. that will finish your gun in Armoloy.
I had them do my 1911 type USPSA race gun.
It's a light grey color. Resists about everything and wear and tear on my gun.

Here's the link for their website; you can call them for a price.
http://www.armoloyofohio.com/contact.html