Gold Plated Parts

[stubby]

I just found a really nice Colt Officer's Model 45ACP Mark IV 80 Series (appears to be all steel) however the finish is pretty poor. Picked it up for less that $400.00 so I am going to have it reblued and am considering having the magazine release button, slide release lever, safety and possible hammer gold plated. I believe these would set off a nicely polished and blued slide. Have you had any experience with gold plated parts?? I have seen some that looked pretty bad but I suspect they were neglected. What do you know about durability??? This piece will see some light carry use but mostly just looked at and enjoyed. Thanks!

 

[Rembrandt]

....afraid my only gold experience is with Browning triggers...I have them on several High Grade O/U's and BHP's.....seems to hold up well. One of the A-5's is starting to wear through, but it's seen a lot of hard abusive hunting over the years.

Any gun that is completely gold plated looks cheesy....but a few appointments like you've mentioned seem to be tasteful...just my opinion.

 

[bpisler]

The gold plated trigger on my 9 year old buckmark still looks great and it gets shot a lot.I think a few gold plated parts would look great on a blued 1911.

 

[dfariswheel]

The gold parts on most new factory firearms isn't really gold.

Real gold plating is fairly delicate, but will stand up to some use.

Many years ago, it was popular to gold plate trigger assemblies in revolvers, in the belief that it gave a smoother trigger pull.

If you want plated parts, go with a company the offers it for firearms. Although jewelery stores can do the job, and there are home do-it-yourself kits, these types don't stand up too well.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Here's a picture of my gold-plated High Standard Victor. The original owner plated the barrel, slide, and assorted small parts himself, and did a pretty good job; unfortunately, I think the chamber is plated, too, which may explain why it frequently fails to feed.

I have a Python with a gold-plated trigger and hammer that work just fine.

If anyone knows of a place that gold-plates firearms parts, post a link, please!

 

[Beorn]

Very tastefully done Standing Wolf!

So, he plated the chamber too?

 

[Standing Wolf]

Hello, Beorn!

I'm not sure whether the chamber is plated or not. It doesn't look golden, but cartridges feel tighter in it than other High Standard chambers, and rounds won't feed from magazines that always work with other High Standards.

It's occurred to me the previous owner prettied this one up because it wasn't worth shooting.

I've got all three of my High Standards home from their bank box for the week end for cleaning and photography.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Thats a nice Trio of High Standards.

 

[stubby]

I just left teh pistol with my smith yesterday. He will do teh bluing but said he would have to send out the parts for gold plating. Said the last one he had done wa $65.00 for a trigger. That meant the slide release, safety, magazine release, hammer, and trigger would have cost $325.00, I'll pass

 

[10-Ring]

stubby - what if you skipped the step w/ your smith & went directly to the plating company yourself? A friend of mine years ago was able to have some small parts done at a really good price by going direct. He even told the guy he'd wait until his next big job so that they didn't have to plate just his few.

 

[Ala Dan]

I don't care for "gold plating" on any of my personal
weapon's. This should be reserved for "show" gun's, and
should never be used on "working class" firearm's! Just
my opinion; after 20+ year's as a LEO.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Gewehr98]

Ala Dan, does that include...

The aforementioned triggers on Browning pistols? You really don't get much of a choice, save for just not buying the gun, since they come that way. Sounds like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, knowing how good my Buckmark, Auto 5, and BAR shoot, gold triggers or not.

Me, I'm thinking about doing the same with my early model Mark I Desert Eagle.

 

[Sven]

Golden trigger sounds classy. But on other parts - garish.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Gewehr98,

I think it really depends on the individual, and what his
or her needs and wants really are. The only Browning
that I've owned was a HP "Practical" model. I don't
feel like I'm qualified to address current production
weapons with "gold plated" part's; except to say
that I don't care for them, as I like the subdued or
tactical look instead. Really, I don't even care for
the appearance of stainless weapons; but it looks
like thats the trend nowdays.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[stubby]

I always liked a "pretty girl" but found the a "plain jane" would do the job as well.

Of course, I am a "plain Joe" so no offense to our lady members

 

[JohnKSa]

Have you looked into Titanium Nitride?

Cheaper, EXTREMELY durable and gold colored.

 

[stubby]

Ni, I hadn't considered Titanium plating. Will look i nto it! Thanks