How to turn a $1000 gun into a $50 gun.

[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..... 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 .

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.






Where its actually hanging hanging up not allowing it to work.

Yet they ground it above the beaver tail.





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

 

[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"

 

[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.

 

[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! Out of sight, out of mind! I would probably fire up the TIG, fill in the botched checkering, and reshape.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

:banghead:

 

[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

 

[TacoMalo]

That's pretty bad

 

[BP44]

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

 

[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.

 

[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.