Refinishing a handgun

[ChadAmberg]

Today we picked up a Colt Government Model 380 that my wife's aunt sent us. It's a well used firearm, she used it when she lived out in the woods in New Mexico to go down the hill to the outhouse in the middle of the night in case of hungry wildlife.
It's blued currently, except for some pitting on the slide, a little rust on the frame, barrel and the hammer.
I'd like to bring it back to good condition. So far I've cleaned most of the crud out of it, but never having to refinish a firearm before, I wonder how far I can take it. For general metal work, I'd say it would need sand blasted and polished, then refinished.
So without further ado, here's a few pics of the rust and pitting damage:




Now, my goal with this is to make it a serviceable carry gun. I've got a new spring kit on order along with new magazines. I'd like whatever rust is on there cleaned up and a nice new finish applied to it. I know some part of any potential resale is based on original finish, but I think we're past that now.
Is the slide finish able to be cleaned up enough, or would that have to be deep enough that it would damage the engraving? Or should I see about just getting a new slide if I can find one?
Oh yeah, I'm not talking about doing the work myself, I'd be sending it out to the pros, I just want to make sure it's worth going through the effort.

[SideShow Bob]

Check out BPTactical, he is damn near a miracle worker.
Take a look at some of the before and after pictures in his thread below in the Industry Partners section.

[BPTactical]

Throw any valuation out the window-it is too pitted and unless it is a rare piece your value is nit to a collector.

The pistol is easily refinishable-I just did a pair of Colt Pocket 32's that were in worse shape. While it can be polished and reblued you have some substantial pitting and from the pics they seem pretty deep. Those wont buff out and they will always show off color.
My suggestion for it if you are planning to carry it would be an aggresive blast and Parkerize it.
I can handle it for you if you want.

[ChadAmberg]

I've got some updated pics and description of what I'm doing to get this back into shape here:
http://gunsgunsguns.wordpress.com/20...a-colt-reborn/
http://gunsgunsguns.wordpress.com/20...e-of-the-ball/
and
http://gunsgunsguns.wordpress.com/20...unction-check/

This is turning out to be a great project!
Next time I can make it up to Northglenn, I'll be dropping it off with BP Tactical for a refinish job that should really complete making it all but new.

[BPTactical]

We will be here for you...................