Colt Refinishing

[ArchAngelCD]

I have this older Colt Detective that was made in 1976 with a finish that needs a lot of TLC. I was wondering how good a job Colt does on their refinishing? I know S&W does an outstanding job on their revolvers sent back for work but I don't remember hearing how well Colt does. I'm considering them because I want the finish to look original and if they find any work that needs to be done that comes under their warranty it too will be done.

Ideas, opinions and suggestions welcome.

 

[joed]

I used to own a Python that was in just a little better shape then your gun. About 5 years ago I sent it back to Colt for refurbishing. Can't remember the price but the work was excellent. If I find the pictures I'll post them for you. Their work is high quality. Don't let anyone else refinish that gun, go to Colt.

 

[PRM]

I've sent two of my Colts back to the factory for refinish work. When returned, both looked as close to new as you could get. I strongly suspect the polish work was done by hand as no sharp edges were rounded or any of the lettering stretched or degraded.

1. 1966 Colt Detective Special. The factory went completely through this gun and refinished it. The timing was off when I bought it and the back strap had light pits. WOW, is all I could say when I got it back. I did buy a set of new era correct grips off of ebay when I had this done. The work was done on this gun in 2002, if I remember correctly it was around $250 at the time.

2. 1964 Colt SAA in 45 LC. I had a 45 ACP cylinder fitted to the gun so I had more ammo options and it was also refinished. Don't remember cost on this one ~ but it was reasonable for the time or I would not have had it done.

I have sent a couple of other guns back for repairs over the years and have always been happy with COLT Customer Service.

From the pic it looks like you have some pretty deep pitting in places. I would just have a realistic expectation on the final product. The only pitting on either of my guns was the backstrap of the DS and it was light. I still think you would be happy with the final product. If it was mine I would talk to them by phone as soon as they have it.

 

[Guillermo]

that looks like the corrosion is deep enough that blue will not look good, no matter how they try.

Were it me I would have a local shop bead blast and parkerize it for a tough, working gun finish

 

[Sniper X]

Before:



After:



I could not be more pleased.

 

[joed]

I looked all over and can't find before and after pictures of the Python I had Colt do. It compares with the other pictures on here. Colt did a superb job on that gun. I bought it for $450 and sold it 4 years later for $1100 after the refurb.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If you want to refinish a gun, only the best people should touch it. Perhaps more important than the care taken in the finishing itself is the polishing of the metal. It must not be "wavy" (uneven), round off corners, blur lettering, etc. There are good refinishers out there and this is taking nothing away from them, but who better than the original factory that made the gun?

 

[Guillermo]

but who better than the original factory that made the gun?

Fords

 

[deanzat]

I called Colt this morning to inquire about refinishing. They quoted $200 plus $30 shipping for my 3" Detective Special (blue), and $275 plus $30 shipping for my 4" Python (royal blue).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks everyone, that about what I thought I would hear.

deanzat, thanks for the price quotes, it was helpful. Welcome to the forum...

 

[joed]

Those prices are pretty much what I paid about 5 years ago. I never regretted having it done.

 

[9mmepiphany]

those are very reasonable prices when you think of how much handwork it takes to get that deep finish