Refinishing an alloy-frame pistol

[cluttonfred]

Since I got my new-to-me Beretta 81 surplus pistol, I started looking for a nice nickel Beretta Cheetah (80 Series) and they are not cheap.

That got me thinking about getting another Beretta 81, probably a low-grade beater, and having it refinished (no preference on the actual process), then adding some wood grips or the black wrap-around Pachmayr rubber grip. I'd probably go for something like a matte nickel finish though I am open to other ideas.

What are some of the options in terms of refinishing, keeping in mind that this would be a relatively low-budget project and we are talking about an alloy-frame pistol with a steel slide?

 

[dfariswheel]

First option would be Cerakote.
This would be cheaper and is reasonably durable WHEN applied to Cerakote standards, which not all do.
There's a lot more to the factory specs then just cleaning and spraying.
See the Cerakote web site for a tutorial on how it's done correctly.

Second would be to have it re-anodized or bright nickel plated.
For nickel plating, I'd talk to APW-Cogan or Ford's.
I'm not sure who does anodizing for guns right now.

Other options for low pricing is to do it yourself with one of the lacquer or epoxy paint-type finishes sold by Brownell's.
Some are air curing, some are oven bake.

 

[BBBBill]

I'm not sure who does anodizing for guns right now.

US Anodizing has been recommended to me by a couple top tier smiths, but it is not cheap - http://usanodizing.com/
The original finish would have been a Type 2 anodizing, but I don't believe that they offer anything but Type 3. (Edit to note that Type 2 is not listed in their price list, but does appear to be available).While not as attractive as Type 2 it is more durable and is the current Beretta finish.

 

[#1buck]

Duracoat makes a nice economical finish.

 

[1KPerDay]

Contact CCR. Good rep

 

[cluttonfred]

Contact CCR. Good rep

Thanks, I already did. They quoted $299 for the whole pistol with the different nickel-based coatings appropriate for the steel slide and alloy frame, which I am sure is justified but is more I would want to spend refinishing a $250 gun. Refinishing a low-grade beater Model 81 in Duracoat stainless steel with the black Pachmayr grips seems like a more reasonable solution.

 

[#1buck]

My local smith gets $25-50 on a Duracoat job. Does great work too.