Sandpaper for 1911

[Baneblade]

I will be picking up a new Colt 1911 today and would like to go through it and knock down some of the machining marks while smoothing things out. What grit sandpaper should I use for this? Any other tips, pointers, or ideas?

Thanks for the help.

 

[David E]

What machining marks are so obnoxious that you want/need to take sandpaper to them?

Are they internal or external ?

Got any pics ?

 

[rcmodel]

Do it if you must, but don't use sandpaper.

Use 400 or 600 grit Wet or Dry black emory paper & oil.

But the gun will be better served if you just leave it be and shoot it to break it in.

Anything that needs to be smoothed out will be by just shooting it.

rc

 

[Brian Williams]

The only sand paper that I use is to knock off some of the points of the checkering of the left side grip because it is scratching me from wear in a IWB.

 

[Old Fuff]

The above posts are correct. Anything that needs to be polished was at the factory. Polishing anything that they didn't will more likely cause more trouble then help. Whatever roughness there is will burnish and the parts will smooth themselves with use. Spend your sandpaper money on ammunition.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Just spend money on ammo , shoot and enjoy A Colt doesn't need sand paper

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Step awa-a-ay from the sandpaper!

Anything that needs to be polished was at the factory. Polishing anything that they didn't will more likely cause more trouble then help. Whatever roughness there is will burnish and the parts will smooth themselves with use.

 

[2nd 41]

But the gun will be better served if you just leave it be and shoot it to break it in.
Anything that needs to be smoothed out will be by just shooting it.

I bought a new stainless Colt GCT that has two small indents in the frame rail.
Can't see them from the outside and reliability/performance is not affected but I'm dying to file or wet sand them out a little. The fact that the pistol is firing OK I was always reluctant to touch the marks. So I agree here. Don't fix it.

 

[rondog]

Sandpaper on a NEW Colt 1911?!?! Why not just go buy a Dremel with all the bits and just get after it?


That's sarcasm, son. Don't be a-sanding' or grindin' on your new Colt, fer cryin' out loud!

 

[JohnBT]

I see there's no love for extra fine crocus cloth. I got some years ago from a jeweler.

John

 

[rondog]

Nothing wrong with extra-fine crocus cloth, if there's a NEED for it. Shouldn't be a need for sanding, grinding or filing on a brand-new Colt 1911 though.

 

[Baneblade]

Okay, you guys made me laugh.

Copy, no sand-paper.

That's why I ask here first.

 

[paul45]

Wow! Buy a NEW Colt and use sandpaper on it!

I........I really don't know what to say..............

 

[GodGuns&Guitars]

Sand Paper

Sand paper? My whole body just cringed!!!!!!!! Parish the thought unless you are working on the grips.

 

[TurboFC3S]

Well, you could use sandpaper if you do it in stages ... start with 400 grit then use 2000 grit wet paper with some oil for the final stage. Still you're going to have some ugly marks and mismatch finish, so assuming it's a stainless gun you'd need to throw the whole stripped frame and slide into a bead blasting cabinet to even the finish up again.

 

[chakup]

I'll go against the grain. We like to tinker. Don't go overboard, go slow. Know what you're getting into- may need refinishing or whatnot. Make sure you don't change anything, just smooth stuff out. Yes it's "risky" and you have to be careful, but it is yours.

 

[Schleprok62]

ok.... DROP the sand-paper...

Step 1:
Just take it home, give it a good cleaning and use some machine gun grease (just a light film actually) on the slide... gun oil as necessary everywhere else, and a couple of hundred rounds of ammo, and a safe place to shoot...

Step 2:
Repeat Step 1...

Cheers...

 

[Baneblade]

Just to clarify, I was referring to the interior of the gun... not the outside. The inside of the frame is rough and I was interested in smoothing it out. I am particularly referring to the areas relating to the trigger and hammer.

The thought of taking sandpaper to the EXTERIOR on the polished stainless flats makes me cringe too. I have used 600 grit on another gun with good success, but figured I had better ask before touching the new Colt.

I gave it a complete strip with clean, shot it, and repeated. I will stick with a high round count break in.

Thanks for the help.

 

[CWL]

I am particularly referring to the areas relating to the trigger and hammer.

Glad to see that you'll be breaking in your pistol the traditional way and not just breaking it by messing with the internals.

 

[TurboFC3S]

They do make stones that are just the right size to fit in those frame slots and smooth things out ... would be the much more 'approved' way of doing things, easier too.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

This thread should be moved....

Over to the idiot mark thread.....

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=466002

 

[ben_i]

If there are burrs or machining marks internally there should be no problem in taking emery cloth, 400 or 600 grit, to it. Just realize that it will lose its value. A Colt with machining marks is still worth more than one with an amateur fix. Whether you do a good job or not.