New CZ 85 twins!

[whoisvince]

New CZ 82 twins!

I ordered 2 CZ 82s from Widener's on Monday and picked them up from the evil pawn shop yesterday! They ran $200 each including shipping, and each one came with 2 magazines, a cleaning rod, a lanyard, and a holster. The guns are in pretty good shape, except for holster wear and minor finish chips/scratches here and there. The holsters are police-style thumb break types. One looks like it was well used, but is still very serviceable, and once looks like it was never used--it takes some force to holster the gun, so it will need some breaking in. Both are very high quality leather and look like they're built to last a lifetime.

I took them to the range today. The triggers are fantastic! Once I settled down, I shot great groups. I've attached an example of what I was able to do with 10 rounds at 7 yards--the flyer was my fault, not the gun's. Not bad for cheapo Monarch rounds. (Ignore the .22 shots all over the target, that was my buddy's doing from long range)

Now I have to customize these puppies. I'm thinking of either picking up some wood grips from Marchals or checkered carbon fiber grips from designergrips.com. Does anybody know where I can get rubber grips?

I'm also considering a Melonite/Isonite QPQ/Atranite type finish. There's a guy from MMI-TruTec who's supposed to be able to do this with handguns for $75: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5334571/1. I'm thinking of sending one of the guns in to try it out. If this works, it's even cheaper than some of the other finishing options (NP3, Melonite/Isonite QPQ/Atranite, Tuff-gun, etc), and will make for a durable finish for a CCW/truck gun.

Does anybody have any experience with MMI-TruTec? How would the salt nitriding process affect a chrome lined barrel? Would the chrome have to be removed first?

 

[whoisvince]

Yes, I realize these are CZ 82s, I mistyped the title of the thread, and now I can't change it.

 

[hAkron]

I was excited to read about twin CZ 85's when I saw the original title. When I saw they were 82's I was still just as excited. I love my CZ 82, my CZ 75D PCR, and my CZ 912 semi auto shot gun.

 

[hAkron]

Also, I wouldn't bother getting them refinished unless you really just can't stand the way they look. I think the chipped up paint is how you tell an 82 from an 83

 

[Jeb21]

Nice, please keep us informed as your projects advance.

 

[whoisvince]

Ok, so I e-mailed the guy at MMI TruTec in Arkansas. His name is Rodney Lanier ([email protected]). Apparently he processes guns there independently, but does have an FFL so you can legally ship a gun to him for repair/refinishing.

The process he uses is Isonite QPQ, the same as Coal Creek Armory. He'll do a handgun for $60 plus $20 for return shipping, and does aluminum oxide or bead blasting included with the price. Apparently the chrome lined barrel is not a problem, and only darkens with the treatment. He needs the handgun completely stripped first.

I figure this experiment will cost me $100 round trip, so I'm going to give it a shot. I'm thinking I'll have him bead blast the frame, outer barrel, and slide, and treat the rest as is. Luckily, I wasn't faint-hearted, and I have already detail stripped and reassembled them. Not bad, really, I think the Ruger 22/45 is much worse to detail strip. I'll do a bit of polishing here and there before I send them.

I'll post before and after pics once I get my 82 back!

 

[whoisvince]

Also, I wouldn't bother getting them refinished unless you really just can't stand the way they look. I think the chipped up paint is how you tell an 82 from an 83

Haha, very true! I don't want to make my 75B in satin nickel jealous

Actually, other than the guns looking good, that Isonite QPQ is supposed to be ridiculously tough, scratch resistant, and corrosion resistant. Similar to Tennifer on Glocks and Melonite on S&Ws. It'll make for a nice "fuggedaboutit" kind of finish, perfect for a carry or truck gun.

 

[viking499]

Interested to see how the new finish turns out. Be sure to post some pics when you get it back.

 

[whoisvince]

OK, here's the latest update:

I detail stripped one of the CZ 82s today, degreased the parts, and packed it up to send out for refinishing! I polished the magazine catch button and the magazine catch and magazine catch lever to try and smooth it out. I also did a bit of polishing on the hammer (although it didn't really need it), and cleaned up a ding here and there. I sent two magazines with it as well. I don't think the turnaround time will be long, and I'll keep you posted as to what happens.

Here's the info for the guy:

Rodney Lanier
[email protected]

Mailing address:
MMI Trutec
Attn: Rodney
2609 N. 12th. Ave.
Paragould AR 72450

Payments can be made to:
R & T Custom Gun Coatings

He'll do either aluminum oxide or bead blasting. I opted for bead blasting because I wanted a glossier finish . The total price for the handgun is $60, and he charges $20 for return shipping. I don't think he does any gunsmithing, so any polishing, shaping, etc. will probably have to be done beforehand. He wants you to completely strip the gun before shipping, including the sights. That rear sight was a bear, let me tell you. I'm having him bead blast the frame, slide, safety, slide lock, the magazines, and the firing pin stop. He doesn't need to have bluing removed before refinishing, but I removed the coating (whatever it is) on the white metal parts with a Dremel and a wire wheel just in case. I'm having him refinish everything else as is--pins, lockwork, everything except the springs, which can't be finished this way because they'll be too brittle.

Heres a link for the process: http://www.trutecind.com/isonite_q.aspx
And a wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferritic_nitrocarburizing
Apparently, this is what the QPQ means: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quench_polish_quench

I'll take some pictures when it comes back, after I've added the new Meprolight sights!