I need a handgun refinished, who should I go to?

[MakeMineaP99]

I couldn't take the stress anymore, I had some free time today, I loaded the truck up, grabbed the pistols and went and shot things for the first time today in a long time (didn't get to shoot at the class last weekend).

Everything was going great until I pulled out a pair of SIGs. What do I spy on the 220? A spec of surface rust. After using a Q tip and Mobil 1 to remove said rust (didn't harm the finish or slide, I will be putting it under a microscope and speaking with a Ph.D., P.E. in materials tomorrow to get all the details), I shot and went on my way.

Somewhere, somehow, my SIG got rust on it, even with Mobil 1 on it and having been cleaned and oiled a few days prior. Unaaceptable. According, I will now be having the firearm refinished, no rust on my firearms tolerated. The other firearms in the safe look fine, no trace of rust at all (all were cleaned, relubed and repacked in grease for good measure).

[blueline541]

Who was it that made himself a pink sig?

Yeah, stay away from him.

[Boge]

It doesn't bother me that a gun gas some "character". There was a fella on a muzzleloading forum that said that every new rifle he bought he immediately took it out to his gravel driveway and dropped it. That way he said he wouldn't be anally retentive about the first scratch. Mobil 1 is a lubricant and not a rust preventative product. Sigarms would be your best bet for a factory refinish at a decent price. In 2006 they were only $90.00 for a slide in hard chrome for a SIG and $10.00 for all the control's. Here's a test with Mobil 1.

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

[MakeMineaP99]

I have plenty of guns with character, including several from the Second World War. However, a carry firearm, should not be prone to rust, no way, no how.

I know Mobil 1 is a lubricant, I pack all my firearms in Corrosion X while I travel. However, a carry firearm needs to be lubed, and Mobil 1 works very well for this purpose, Corrosion X does not, the old trade off argument.

I'll check with SIG, thanks.

[CZ93X62]

The factory finishes on SIG pistols are kinda easily worn, in my experience. Out here in the Far West, rust seldom is an issue due to our dry climate unless you are near the coast. Ditto on contacting SIG-Sauer for a re-finish, and while at the factory ya might as well have the springs changed out too. They'll inspect the locking block double roll pin for wear at the same time, and often replace them.

We had quite a few of our deputies' SIGs go back for finish wear re-do, and I always recommended they ask about re-springing and the roll pins if the pistol's service life exceeded 3,000 rounds. SIG's position was that the roll-pinned 220s and 226s were designed to go 5,000 rounds before a re-fit.

[AlPackin]

musta happened from carryin it to Jawja :)

[MullahElRon]

Even in the desert I use CorrosionX on the outside of guns and anywhere rain is likely to get into. Got little eyedropper bottles stashed in my bags and cases so I'm ready for a quick pre or post rain wipe down. Last 4 times I've been out shooting, I've ended up wrapping my range bag in a couple plastic grocery bags and throwing a poncho over me and a rifle or 2. Got me some black balloons from the dollar store for the barrel too. :rofl: Don't get much rain, so we's gots to get out innit and play!

Years ago, got a tiny bit of rust spots on a cased shotgun barrel on a trip to and through Colorado. Dry there too mostly, but it rains and it's subject to condensation. CorrosionX hadn't been invented yet but would have prevented it. Today's Breakfree pretty good for dat too when used often enough...

[MakeMineaP99]

The factory finishes on SIG pistols are kinda easily worn, in my experience. Out here in the Far West, rust seldom is an issue due to our dry climate unless you are near the coast. Ditto on contacting SIG-Sauer for a re-finish, and while at the factory ya might as well have the springs changed out too. They'll inspect the locking block double roll pin for wear at the same time, and often replace them.

We had quite a few of our deputies' SIGs go back for finish wear re-do, and I always recommended they ask about re-springing and the roll pins if the pistol's service life exceeded 3,000 rounds. SIG's position was that the roll-pinned 220s and 226s were designed to go 5,000 rounds before a re-fit.

I just changed out the springs a couple weeks ago, when I was home for labor day, as I was well over the recommend 5000 round change.

5000 rounds and then you have to rebuild 'em? I didn't know that, my 220 has been know to eat 2000-3000 rds a month when I have time to shoot it. Whoops.

[AlPackin]

I use CorrosionX

where do you buy it Mullah? Do you have a local supplier or buy online?

[MakeMineaP99]

True Value has it, Ed.

West Marine has it too.

[AlPackin]

True Value has it, Ed.

West Marine has it too.

got a True Value down the road, I'll check it out, thanks. I'm really paranoid since my Ruger mags got rusty.

[AlPackin]

dis da one ?

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj300/AlPackin/Tank1.jpg

[MakeMineaP99]

Maybe, I think the 10 oz spray can is easier to pack around though.

[MullahElRon]

where do you buy it Mullah? Do you have a local supplier or buy online?If you run into trouble you can probably find it at an aviation supply kind of store at an airport. You can call or email CorrosionX for the nearest dealer, or order direct from them. I did that and got the 16 oz trigger spray bottle. Was reasonable at the time. Cheaper than the "CorrosionX for Guns" (Same stuff per the mfg)

http://www.pacificcorrosion.com/productCat83686.ctlg

[jtrade]

http://www.salboarms.com/handgun.html

[jtrade]

Rust Prevention Product Tests

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/corrosion/corrosion2.html

[ISUSteve]

These guys are highly thought of on Sigforum:

http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/hg.htm

[jtrade]

Have not heard of them. Thanks for the link.

J

[ISUSteve]

And add this one to the mix:

http://www.robarguns.com/

[AlPackin]

thanks guys I'm a gettin me some

[CZ93X62]

"Rebuild" is kind of a strong word for replacing the double roll-pins. Conceivably, the pins can be stressed by high-pressure ammo. Hence the P-229 and adoption of milled locking block/one piece slide assemblies for the P-226 in 40 S&W. My agency had several hundred P-220s and a like number of pinned-slide 226s and 228s, and none of our armorers reported seeing tweaked/stressed pins AFAIK.

[captyg76]

CGWGun out in Nevada did a beautiful job on a former FAL of mine. http://www.cgwgun.com/

[soundwave]

Word on da street is CCR does very good work.

[sig2009]

These guys are highly thought of on Sigforum:

http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/hg.htm

I agree. Brad does amazing work!

[colorado4wheel]

I have plenty of guns with character, including several from the Second World War. However, a carry firearm, should not be prone to rust, no way, no how.

[EDIT]

I'll check with SIG, thanks.


Why would you refinish with the same people who gave you a bad finish to begin with?

[MakeMineaP99]

SIG has some different generations of finishes, but more to compare prices than anything else.

Still deciding on what to do...

[colorado4wheel]

Who has a finish that is like Glock? How is the Glock finish like the S&W and new version on the XD? Glocks finish is excellent for durability and I thought the S&W was very good as well when done right (some spotty issues at the start, now fixed). Anyone know about these things?

[ISUSteve]

Isn't the tennifer process against regulations in the US.

[colorado4wheel]

I have no idea. I know S&W has a good finish and it made in the USA. I remember the days when "Teflon" was a big thing in finishing. Doesn't Kimber use a nice finish that is also available elsewhere? What about NP3 or Hardchromeing?

[creekwalker]

Any firearm finish can be susceptible to corrosion, which generally is noting more than a slight surface blemish that easily wipes off. I don’t dwell on it, instead choosing to keep my firearms well maintained and clean. I do not carry tricked out, custom or heavily modified firearms as a defensive weapon, instead I prefer a factory firearm with a good set of sights and an action that has been checked for burrs and then properly cleaned. Simply shooting the gun often enough afterwards to become comfortable with it as well as maintaining proficiency will develop an excellent action in and of itself. Surface wear, handling marks and minor scratches are simply evidence of a working firearm that is used as a tool, not a status emblem. I have friends that have completely worn all the bluing from their handguns, refusing to reblue them for just this reason. I only refinish my firearms when they have lost a significant amount of their finish and even then prefer a bead blasted blue.