Removal of pitting on a pistol.

[CNobbe]

Hello, I've contemplating picking up a used T series Hi Power at a local shop. The slide was improperly stored, appears to have had something acidic eat away some blue finish, and unfortunately has some pitting near the edge of the ejection port, as well as on the exposed side of the barrel.

Also a scratch about the length of my fingernail to my finger deep on one side.

I'm curious of this pitting in the area of the slide can be removed/sanded out. It's not very deep, I'd describe it as speckles of pitting..in a small area.

I'm new to having a gun refinished, and not sure what can be repaired and what cannot.

If anyone has a shop they'd recommend for restorations I'm all ears. Thankfully the frame is in great shape, but would be refinished as well.

My biggest concern is whether or not the pitting could be removed...

 

[rcmodel]

It can be removed by flat sanding on a surface plate to bring the whole slide flat down below the depth of the pitting.

But that will also remove most of any markings on the slide.

In the end, doing it will remove any collector value of the gun.
And cost at least half as much as the gun is worth.

You can never recover the cost on a resale of the gun.

I'd either pass.
Or live with it if the price reflects the poor condition.

rc

 

[hso]

Gotta agree, you can't restore it from the sound of things.

The gun is going to have to be a great deal to cover the expense and you're going to have to realize the collector value is spoiled and just want it for a shooter, but you may try having it evenly blasted and coated to mask the damage.

If they're trying to get T collector prices for it, walk away.

 

[CNobbe]

Price definitely reflects the condition of it. It's cheap, and the darn things' frame is mint...

Don't judge but I'm tempted to buy it and use it as a beater carry gun since it's collector value it had slowly got eaten away after sitting in storage all those years.

 

[Guntoter]

If you buy it and don't do something to stop the rust, the pits will get bigger. Depending on the depth, it may or may not be an economical repair. If they can't be removed they can usually be welded up. That might be visible on a reblue but there is also hard chrome, electroless nickel, Parkerizing, etc. that might satisfy you.
Cheap, no, but a professional refinisher can do some amazing stuff. Whether or not it's worth the cost is something you'd have to decide.

 

[Sunray]

"...something acidic..." It's rust. Pitting can be removed by surface grinding it, but as mentioned it'll remove any stamps. As it is, there isn't much collector value anyway. You could buy if for the frame and try finding another slide.

 

[S Anderson]

Rust Pits

Rust pits ect. can be removed, I have done it for years. If you are worried about " Collector Value" then don't do a thing but keep it well oiled. I don't collect stamps,coins or anything else. My guns are for fun so when I am dead and someone says " the guy restored it and ruined the collector value who really cares. I restored a 1967 Camaro to new condition and now it is in collector condition. I am not running a museum so maybe that is why my original Winchester 1873 looks better than my Uberti Reproduction. Everyone has their opinion about what to do with a gun that needs some TLC. My opinion is "Enjoy them while you are living".