QUALITY place to send a gun for bluing?

[Orion8472]

I'm wanting to know of a business that does QUALITY bluing work for a pistol of mine. Do any of you know of a company that does great work without a very long turn-around time?

Thanks!

 

[RustyShackelford]

Firearm blueing....

There are a few well known shops for re-blueing or surface treatments.
Some like Fords of Florida but I don't know a lot about them. Many forum members say they do great work.
Id also suggest Bob Cogan, www.APWcogan.com . They offer many styles & colors. The shop times may vary & can take long due to demands.
Robar Guns, www.Robarguns.com is a well known shop from AZ. I'm not sure if they do any blueing work but I think so.

Rusty S

 

[Orion8472]

Thanks for the input and info, sir.

Update: Just heard back from Robar. They do reblueing, but they only do matte blue finishes. I'd rather have the glossy look. The gun I'm considering is a custom CZ SP-01.

 

[Sunray]

Got a budget in mind? Bluing prep work is tedious hand work. The quality of which determines the quality of the resulting bluing job. Bluing itself uses a bunch of nasty chemicals and requires a room with no ferrous metals that can't get rusty.
Costs about $2500 to set up too.
Turn around in most shops is lengthy. Good smithy's are very busy guys.
Where you are matters somewhat, but have a look here. 30 second net search. He's in Louisiana.
http://willisarms.com/page6.htm

 

[MikieG]

I have an airgun i want to restore. I always wonder What this costs.

 

[Sam1911]

Ford's and Turnbulls are usually the go-to names.

 

[Orion8472]

Thanks again, guys!

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

http://www.foglesgunsmithing.com/ Can't be beat for quality of work or for price.

 

[blarby]

Right here on THR.

How bout that

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=761135

 

[TRX]

> QUALITY

[looks at finished job] "Perhaps I should have specified 'good' quality..."

 

[DeanDallas]

I just sent some small parts last week to Tyler for case color.
I felt like a bride on the first night hoping it will work.
Really hoping he can put lipstick on the pig.

 

[SleazyRider]

Hands down, the finest bluing I have ever seen is by East Coast Gun Bluing in New Hampton, New York. Their attention to detail is impressive, and the bluing is deep and glossy like it should be. Traditionally, it is said that re-bluing decreases the value of a firearm, but that is certainly not the case here. After seeing their work first hand, I'll likely be sending them my beloved Colt Trooper.

http://eastcoastbluing.com

 

[4v50 Gary]

If you can buff it yourself, you can blue it yourself. Try Express Blue from Brownell's. It is more labor intensive than hot salt blue, but (for me) yields a more satisfying blue that can be done at home.

1) Polish
2) Degrease with Acetone
3) Heat with propane torch
4) Apply Express Blue solution with a clean cotton swab (pour the solution into a small container so as not to contaminate the entire bottle)
5) place into pot of boiling water for 5-10 minutes
6) Card
(if you get any oil on it, apply acetone again).
7) Repeat steps 3-6 about two to five more times.

 

[tyler4656]

Hi I do a lot of bluing and Color Case. 100% hand polish and quick turn time about 3 to 4 weeks. Thanks Bobby

 

[DeanDallas]

I am building a fantasy piece out of an old Korean War engraved bring back rifle. by putting it in a nice Finn stock with Case Harden parts.
With it being a Russian model 44 I am putting back in a Russian style stock with a bit of difference in trim.
With Tyler doing the case hardening I am on the way, but this just getting started

 

[ford8nr]

Check out Hot Flash Refinishing in California. Had a buddy have a pistol redone ... FANTASTIC. My son had a reblue project on a Win M12 20ga. Got behind on the project due to college and work so I finished polishing it and sent it in to be dipped. Came back looking like NEW. Beautiful job and quick turn around. Definitely will use them again.

 

[JMS920]

I recently sent my surplus Hi Power to Fogles. Turn around times was 10 weeks. I very happy with the result.
Before.

After.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have an airgun i want to restore. I always wonder What this costs.

Be sure they're no alloy parts (aluminum, brass, zinc etc.) in it. In a conventional blue tank they disappear - and can ruin the bath too boot.

 

[Palehorseman]

I once watched a rather sloppy video of a guy home blueing a milsurp. At first I was not impressed, but his final result was very impressive.

If required, polish parts, then clean, clean, and clean again all the parts to be blued and wear nitrile gloves throughout the blueing process. The final trick is throw away any instructions that say to use a cotton swab. Instead use a rather large piece of clean folded soft cotton cloth well saturated with blueing solution and vigorously rub down the entire surfaces to be blued, periodically turning cloth to fresh clean saturated surface.

This process was used on a pre-bubaed MN carbine.

 

[Horsemany]

I've had great luck with Glenrock Blue. They do some factories finishing too so they know how to keep lines sharp and correct looking.