Polishing an Aluminum Trigger

[doctorj77]

Hi everyone, I just fitted an aluminum trigger in my 1911. I lightly polished the bow so the function is there, but the finish on the actual shoe face/sides is pretty rough.

I was wonder if anyone had a way or can share a teqnique of polishing up the shoe. I was thinking 1000 or 2000 grit sand paper, but I don't want to waste my money or the trigger.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Most gunsmiths leave them unpolished.

Aluminum is very soft, and a high polish will just get scratched from rubbing on the frame, holsters, etc. and look like crap in short order.

rc

 

[doctorj77]

Well I agree with that. Problem is the finish on this looks fairly rough. Its a trigger from Fusion, aluminum shoe, stainless bow. It almost looks like a steel in white look. The edges for serated front are oftly sharp. Doesn't have a comfortable feel to it.

I'm have tempted to lightly sand it, try and debur any edging it may have.

 

[Riss]

Even 2000 grit will actually remove material. Only thing that I use that does not remove material is red rouge. Also called jewlers rouge. Used to polish gold because is does not remove any material (supposedly) from the surface being polished. Red is the finest of all of the polishing compounds and will bring it up to a mirror finish. Follow up with some Flitz and you should be good.

 

[krs]

I've smoothed the edge on some triggers, rounding them on the left side especially for my own as I'm lefthanded. I usually just grab whatever little piece of carborundum paper I see first, might be 220 or it might be 400, and take the edge until it feels better. Then if I want it high polish I'd just run a felt bob with red rouge until I like it.

No big deal, except red rouge can be a pain to get out of small serrations.

Make it so you like it, it's your trigger.