Armaloy removal ... ?

[Indigo22]

I found a Colt Combat Comander that was after market armaloyed, poorly to be exact. Its scratched up and there is enough armaloy up into the mag chamber that the mags won't drop out when released. They must be picked at with a fingernail until enough mag is exposed to pull it out the rest of the way.
Is there any easy way to remove the armaloy?, and at what cost?
The shop has a price tag of $500 on the gun and needs some minor work too, new trigger (sloppy fit and it hangs up before let off) I'm planing on leaving the low profile sights for now. The cheap plastic grip panels must go too but its not imperitive. Maybe I should start with a base model 1911 unless he comes down on the price. Obviously I'm not convinced.

 

[HSMITH]

You can buy a new full custom 1911 from a major name smith for the cost of fixing one you bought that was screwed up by a "gunsmith" already. Unless you know the guy selling it very well, know the smith or have shot the gun a bit definately pass.

A good rule of thumb here is: if you even slightly suspect the work done on a gun is not 100% first rate then you should RUN!!!!!! Nothing in guns sucks worse than having $1500 in a $600 gun and a "custom" job gone wrong will get you there in a HURRY!!!!

Good gunsmiths charge premium rates, and premium + to fix someone elses problems.

Don't mess with that gun, buy a new one or a bone stock one.

 

[Cactus]

Run, don't walk, from that deal. You can buy a new Colt Commander for less than what you would have in that gun after you repaired someone else's screwups.

You can get the new Colt in blue or stainless, it will have nice rosewood grips, better sights and will have a factory warrenty.

 

[Sunray]

$500 for a buggered up pistol is too much. However, to get Armaloy off , I think you're looking at a dremel job. Or a file. Just enough to get the finish off, no touching the steel underneath. There's no reason not to armaloy the inside, but it shouldn't be globbed at all. I'm wondering if it really is armaloy. Yep, I'd pass if the price isn't dropped considerably. Offer the guy $300.

 

[mete]

Armaloy if I remember is hard chrome ,not something you want to remove. If you only wanted to remove it from the mag well you might find a diamond sharpener that would fit . But I agree that it would be better to buy a new stainless steel one and go from there.

 

[Indigo22]

I'll go back and check it again. I think Armaloy is a Teflon based paint. As easily as it scratches through to the bare metal I might be able to wire brush it off. I need a closer look at the barrels rifling and I would like to find out what's making the trigger hang up. Its a series 70 Combat Commander just like my first 45auto. If the barrel isn't shot out I'll start offering him $250 for it, he'll laugh then I'll point out the flaws, and ask what else might be wrong internally. Fixing the trigger is no problem, I've done some armoring work on 1911s. Ok, Ill admit it ... I'd want it more for a project gun. Meltdown style, I would have a hard time doing this to a new, perfectly good gun. Ok? I love engraved guns too but I cannot bring myself to send off my new guns to have that done either. (mental block)

 

[mete]

Armoloy (proper spelling) is in fact a proprietary hard chrome finish. It has a hardness of Rc 70 ,that's why I suggested a diamond sharpener to remove it from the well.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I doubt that this finish is really Armoloy - -

- -If it actually can be easily scratched through. I only have one revolver left finished by that company, and it easily turns a standard file. I know - - I'd like to widen out the rear sight groove, and a Swiss pattern file only brightens the surface slightly. (This is a box-stock 1917 S&W - -Except that someone had it Armaloyed. )

Indigo22, unless you can get it CHEAP, I think you'd be happier with a different pistol. The economics just don't scan.

Best,
Johnny