View Full Version : Need some blueing done.
I have a 1911 I'd like to have beadblasted and reblued and have the scallop added to the ejection port. I called GanderMtn (they're close to where I live) $150.00 for the blueing alone and the killer is a 3 month turn around time.
I really have no experience with local smiths other than Ikey Starks who I've been told is retired. if anyone could recommend someone that you trust I'd appreciate it much.
Robb
Give Prairie Arms a call at (303-346-7135). They should be able to help you out. They have a gunsmith on site and from what I have seen, his work looks pretty good. The only thing is, they are located on Santa Fe south of C-470.
http://www.prairiearms.com
Paul
Milt at Quality Pistol and Revolver is possibly the best gunsmith I've ever dealt with, but his turnaround was at least that long last time I was in. I'm not even sure he's still in business.
Gunsmoke down in Wheat Ridge tends to stamp their ugly logo on your slide, so for that reason alone I wouldn't exactly recommend them. On top of that, I wanted to have mine Bearcoated, but instead they Robarised (Robarized?) it.
Just my $.02
Due to turnaround time I went with Gunsmoke. 3 weeks if I kicked in an extra $35.00. That was the best turnaround time I could find anywhere other than the Colorado Gunsmithing Trade School. I didn't go with them only because I was leary about a student working on my Colt. They quoted a great price and remarkable turnaround time tho.
Wyzardd, THANKS SO MUCH for telling me Gunsmoke stamped their logo on the slide! That won't work for me, so I'll call them shortly and kindly ask them not to do so.
Thanks for your responses.
Robb
They may not just for a blue job, but after all the money I paid to have my carry piece customized, it really chapped my hide when I turned it over and saw that. The snotty arrogance of the smith didn't help matters either.
The quality of the work they did was acceptable (although that pistol has started to misbehave recently, I don't know the reason yet) so I'm not bashing that.
FYI - here's a shot of the slide w/logo that I'm talking about
http://lh5.google.com/wyzardd/RoLfQBeyfpI/AAAAAAAAAh0/xEmEpe_F0Tk/100_0178.JPG?imgmax=512
That didn't work right, I've not got the image embedding thing figured out
http://picasaweb.google.com/wyzardd/Toys/photo#5080868795995815570
http://picasaweb.google.com/wyzardd/Toys/photo#5080868795995815570
stubbicatt
11-08-2007, 08:14
Hickman Rifles in Colorado Springs does a very good job of bluing. I'd contact them and see. Their turnaround time has been about a week in my experience. They have done several rifles for me and I have been quite content with their work. They also do custom work so...
FYI - here's a shot of the slide w/logo that I'm talking about
http://lh5.google.com/wyzardd/RoLfQBeyfpI/AAAAAAAAAh0/xEmEpe_F0Tk/100_0178.JPG?imgmax=512
That didn't work right, I've not got the image embedding thing figured out
http://picasaweb.google.com/wyzardd/Toys/photo#5080868795995815570
http://picasaweb.google.com/wyzardd/Toys/photo#5080868795995815570
Wow, I can't believe that! What the hell gives them the right to stamp their logo on your slide without your knowledge or consent? Or was that a slide that you bought from them?
Yeah, that was kind of how I felt about it. I didn't pitch a fit at the time partially because of the aforementioned arrogance of the gunsmith* at the shop which, in retrospect, should have had me walking out the door before they touched my baby, and partially because I really wanted my gun back.
But I have no problem telling everyone I know (and even people I don't know) about my experiences with them.
* Examples - I wanted the stock pull, but he tried to argue me down to a very light trigger. Didn't listen to my explanation as to why I didn't want a hair trigger on a carry piece, but finally gave up and left it alone.
After one brief glance at the .45 he started bashing the crappy stock trigger and telling me how great it'd be when he replaced it as he was writing it down on the work order. I informed him that I had no problem with Videki triggers, and preferred the stock look of the one I had installed and that he might note the adjustment screw on it which Colt rarely includes with the cheaper models, so please just do the work I requested. He had the good grace to shut the hell up at that point.
NineHotel
11-11-2007, 11:57
Hickman Rifles in Colorado Springs does a very good job of bluing. I'd contact them and see. Their turnaround time has been about a week in my experience. They have done several rifles for me and I have been quite content with their work. They also do custom work so...
Yep, they can do it in their sleep. 1-2 weeks depending on what is queued up and when they'll be firing the tanks. 719 633 1821 is the contact #. Closed Sunday and Monday.
TINCUP AL
11-12-2007, 14:22
I also heard that Hickman can do it, and their price is reasonable.
I got my Colt back last night from Gunsmoke and it looks great. Even better than great. Besides just doing the re-blueing work, they also cleaned up some rough edges around the grip safety and on the side of the rear sight that the previous smith inflicted on the gun. Whoever did the work at Gunsmoke did a nice job.
Anyway I'm definately happy with the work done there, my only complaint would be the turn around time. Next time it may be worth a drive to Hickman for the week turnaround time, but Gunsmoke did a nice job for me.
Robb
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