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Post by Mister Coffee on Apr 11, 2024 11:08:41 GMT -5
I think Bob will have some good insights. He and I were recently DM-ing on this very subject.
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Post by wheatshocker on Apr 12, 2024 11:08:33 GMT -5
Made some progress this weekend. I had detailed stripped, then soaked all parts overnight in CLP, including those which I plan on replacing with the Apex Tactical Parts. The anodized finish on the frame is in pretty good shape, and I dont think I will mess with that. I used my Dremel with polishing tips and Flitz to polish the barrel, and it turned out nicely. No issues internally such as freckling or hazing, rifling is good/acceptable, although not excellent. I used an industrial paint remover to work on and soften the epoxy finish of the slide. Helped, but need to used various grades of wet sandpaper, then a little Dremel on the hard spots. After that, I blasted with 120 Aluminum Oxide. I have one of those cheap blasting guns and I shoot it into a large plastic storage container. I guess i recycle about 50-60%. Should look at a small and inexpensive blast cabinet, but for now, the storage container works fine although not real efficient in recovering usable material. This week will send the slide to Novak for a yellow outline front sight and black low mount rear sight. Have not yet decided on finish, I might try a Duracoat finish using an airbrush rather than their aerosol can. I think the airbrush will allow more control and lighter spray. I have tried KB GunKote, and looked pretty good, but not happy with the potential wear. If I mess it up or if it looks too thick, will probably send the slide to Bob Cogan at APW. Any tips on coating/finishing the slide are welcome. A few images, but so far all is going well and moving along nicely. The barrel after polishing, over the slide before blasting and frame after cleaning Barrel after polisihg and slide after blasting with 120 AlumOx Todd, thanks for sharing. You're inspiring me to get back to work on my alloy detective project that has been sitting idle for a while. I have the slide kit with square barrel lug and alloy frame with round splined barrel cam (1979). Before I get started with work, I need to get to the range and make sure the detective slide, now mated to the frame, will function without any major issues. I haven't replaced any springs yet, so I need to figure out best thing to do with that next I suppose. Or, maybe I need to do that before going to the range?? Next will be bead-blasting, internal polishing and then exterior finishing (Gun Kote/Duracoat?) I'm trying to take an 'iterative' approach to modifications.
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Post by ToddSig on Apr 12, 2024 14:32:25 GMT -5
Todd, thanks for sharing. You're inspiring me to get back to work on my alloy detective project that has been sitting idle for a while. I have the slide kit with square barrel lug and alloy frame with round splined barrel cam (1979). Before I get started with work, I need to get to the range and make sure the detective slide, now mated to the frame, will function without any major issues. I haven't replaced any springs yet, so I need to figure out best thing to do with that next I suppose. Or, maybe I need to do that before going to the range?? Next will be bead-blasting, internal polishing and then exterior finishing (Gun Kote/Duracoat?) I'm trying to take an 'iterative' approach to modifications. Sometimes a little inspiration and motivation is all you need to get going on projects. I waited awhile to find a donor HP for my Apex Tactical parts. I could not pull an HP from my collection, so I had to find something that worked and at reasonable cost. I bought one FN T series, that once cleaned up was too nice to mess with. Eventually the alloy was found. If you make frequent range trips, I would probably take the alloy Detective as is and see how it functions. later when working on the project, replace springs. BH Spring Solutions has the proper dual recoil springs ( bhspringsolutions.com/index.php/product/fm-detective-recoil-springs/ ). I have used both GunKote and Duracoat in the past. I used the rattle can Duracoat, and probably my fault, spray was to heavy. Later sent the project out for finish work with Bob Cogan at APW. My trials with GunKote applications were better using an airbrush, but not sure of the durability. If you want a fine finish, I would send to Bob Cogan, does great work and turn around time is usually pretty quick, at least compared to others. If you decide to do it yourself, check on the need to bead blast the anozied frame. If I recall, you may not need to do much to the frame for a finish to adhere properly. Might be best to check with either GunKote or Duracoat. You are giving me motivation to get to the range with my alloy Detective, and will do that when I next go to test this recent alloy project.
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Post by ToddSig on Apr 20, 2024 17:03:43 GMT -5
Got to shoot the alloy project Hi Power today. Shot one box of Federal American Eagle, FMJ, 115 grain. Was more of a function test to see if there were any FTF or jams, happy to report, it ran perfectly. Including rapid fire of a full magazine. Slide locked back after last round. Very happy. Next time out will have some targets to shoot at. This was just to see if it functioned properly with the new internals. Was at my brother in laws farm helping to build a shooting platform, so shooting was secondary for the day. Made good progress on the platform and look forward to being finished soon. It is actual level and square, so not bad for a couple of amateurs. After completion can do some actual target shooting and put some of my HPs into my Ransom Rest. Have ordered some Caldwell steel ARR500 targets, which will arrive before my next visit. Only downside is, its about an 1 1/2 hours away, but could be worse. We started today with just some holes dug for the posts. Platform will be 10x12. Looking pretty good.
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