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Now that my loooooooonnnnnngggg term DIY 1911 project looks like it will be coming to an end by the close of 2019, my mind has begun to wander and I've been thinking about starting a new build.
I'm in the initial process of spec-ing out parts and using some of the lessons I learned from my first build.
I want this to be more of a show piece than anything else. I’m again planning on doing the bulk of the work but I want to get some fancy-pants finishing done in terms of engraving, deep bluing, and color case hardening. Currently thinking that I want a deep blue slide with color case hardened frame. Right now it’s a toss-up between what finish I want for the small parts.
So my initial questions now are focusing on the material I should choose for base metals of each component
In regard to the base metal of the frame, slide and small parts: is there any advantage to carbon steel v. stainless steel when it comes to color case hardening or bluing? Can stainless steel parts be blued or color case hardened? Does one type of steel lend itself more to one processes than the other? Can smaller parts such as the main spring housing pin, mag release, be color case hardened without compromising their shape or integrity?
Can aluminum be blued? Specifically talking about coloring the trigger to match the bluing of the slide. If it cannot be blued, is there a way of getting a close color match? Or maybe someone can recommend a steel trigger? (currently looking at using a 10-8 flat)
thanks!
I'm in the initial process of spec-ing out parts and using some of the lessons I learned from my first build.
I want this to be more of a show piece than anything else. I’m again planning on doing the bulk of the work but I want to get some fancy-pants finishing done in terms of engraving, deep bluing, and color case hardening. Currently thinking that I want a deep blue slide with color case hardened frame. Right now it’s a toss-up between what finish I want for the small parts.
So my initial questions now are focusing on the material I should choose for base metals of each component
In regard to the base metal of the frame, slide and small parts: is there any advantage to carbon steel v. stainless steel when it comes to color case hardening or bluing? Can stainless steel parts be blued or color case hardened? Does one type of steel lend itself more to one processes than the other? Can smaller parts such as the main spring housing pin, mag release, be color case hardened without compromising their shape or integrity?
Can aluminum be blued? Specifically talking about coloring the trigger to match the bluing of the slide. If it cannot be blued, is there a way of getting a close color match? Or maybe someone can recommend a steel trigger? (currently looking at using a 10-8 flat)
thanks!