Ballester Molina - Before and After

[cwalker3]

Here are before and after pics of one of the Molina's I got from Century. This was my first attempt at re-bluing an entire piece. And since I had never broken down a 1911 completely, it was quite a learning experience. I'm not totally pleased with the way the bluing came out (blotchy in places), but overall I'm happy with it. I'm taking it out to the range tomorrow to find out how it performs. I didn't have any parts left over so hopefully I put everything back together correctly.

Before

http://album.gunsnet.net/data/cwalker3/full_243_p2184.jpg

After

http://album.gunsnet.net/data/cwalker3/full_243_p2220.jpg

[neilwest]

1. these things are fun to restore and a joy to shoot. A inexpensive 1911 varient .

2 Great Job

[Sturmgeschütz]

I'm gettin me one of those mofo's as soon as I get the money :D

[TheBigCAx]

I'm getting a second one.

As far as splotchy goes, use more 0000 and allow more time between the wet application and the polishing.

Have you shot her yet?

[Jericho]

looks good and as long as you are happy with it and it doesn't rust then you have done it right :D :bye:

[REDSTAR]

Shit, thanks alot!- now I need one. I've been hoping they'd put these on special again but everyone buying them left and right I dont think thats going to happen.

That looks pretty darn good cwalker. Like BigCA said, a little more Oxpho and buffing will even that out nicely. There is no limit to how many applications you use, it's all depending upon your patience.

I agree on the disassembly! I have learned far more about different weapons over the years by taking them down carefully than by any books or reading of others experiences. The best way is to do it yourself. I also notice I always fall in love with a particular weapon when I take it down, you get to see what a work of art they are in design and function. I'm not the tinkering type except when it comes to firearms, they are absolutely facinating to me.

[TheBigCAx]

Compared to other pistols, Gentlemen, there aren't that many parts. This weapon is very simple.

Get two Redstar. I plan on completing my collection of two, with a shoulder rig, much like Kevin Costner's in 3000 Miles to Graceland.

In the meantime, I shoot my baby couple times a week.

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by TheBigCA
I'm getting a second one.

As far as splotchy goes, use more 0000 and allow more time between the wet application and the polishing.

Have you shot her yet?

I found that using 0000 did a nice job of smoothing out the color, but also removed a good bit of the bluing. I ended up using an old diaper. My drying timers varied as I was trying to get a feel for what worked best. I tried anywhere from a minute or two to overnight. Letting it dry overnight gave me the worst results. A few minutes the best. I'm going to experiment a little more with the second one, but as of now I'm out of Oxpho and waiting for the BBT to arrive sometime this week.

[REDSTAR]

I've been reading the paste works better; I never used the paste yet...Were you using the liquid or the paste?

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by REDSTAR
I've been reading the paste works better; I never used the paste yet...Were you using the liquid or the paste?

I used the liquid, but ordered both from Brownells this past weekend. Hell, I even looked at the bluing kits Brownells sells. They're a little pricey, but they've gotten my interest.

[Schuetzenman]

cwalker3,
It photographs well, looks good. I've found with any bluing that the blochies can come from the metal not having the same texture to it.

IMO the best way is to do a chemical strip of the old blue then take 400 and 600 grit wet n dry paper lubed with water or oil to sand the large surfaces. You have to use a sanding block or something to back the paper. Be careful of rolling edges. These papers are very fine but given enough rubbing with them they can round a sharp edge. Accross the top of the slide where it's curved, make a strip and do like you're shining shoes with a cloth. What ever you see in the white for metal texture or polish will show up when blued. So you have to get that metal finish uniform and even before bluing.

Now if it's just a minor touchup you probably won't see a difference. In the case of your Ballerina Molestor . . . :D . . . it's not a $800 dollar Colt so do you need to put out all that effort? Answer . . . only if you want to. :D

[cwalker3]

Schuetzenman, what chemical strips off the old bluing?

[Sturmgeschütz]

Well, if ya wanna get the 2 for $299 special, better hurry...it ends Wed!

Too bad I won't have money by then :mad:

[survivor99]

CWalker,

I have a better YET solution. Box that thing up and send it to me, LOLOL!!!

Hey, that looks really nice. You got a great looking gun and a great shooting pistol that you still (as of yet) haven't cooked in your wife's oven............ :D

Let us know how it shoots! Isn't fixing guns up FUN!!

survivor99

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by cwalker3
Schuetzenman, what chemical strips off the old bluing?

There's a couple of products out there that work. Birchwood casey makes a blue remover chemical. Brownell's I seem to recall has something also that removes bluing. See Brownell's for these items. If you're lucky your local Walmart might have the remover. Unfortunatley it's usually bundled in their cold bluing kit and their cold blue sucks! Not tough, fades quick. IMO not worth using.:bye:

[REDSTAR]

Thanks Sturm, when my wife kills me this will be your fault! I forgot they were on special this month so I went ahead and ordered the two fer $299. One Molina and one Riguad. I hope the barrels are decent on these...I haven't heard any complaints yet, just well worn finish which can be dealt with easily. $150 for a .45 is a nice little deal IMO.

[SalBO]

they are real nice pistols Redstar. I love mine and am thinking seriously of ordering two more but I need to order some cigars so that might kill my pistol order....:(

I thought you already had a couple ?

[Sturmgeschütz]

Originally posted by REDSTAR
Thanks Sturm, when my wife kills me this will be your fault!

When she kills you, can I have some of your guns :D

Well, I just found out Century has mroe CZ52's in stock, and the 45's are going off special....oh well, guess I'm not getting a .45 yet :)

[Speedfish]

CWalker3, great job!

I wish I could order the special,but in my state of S.C., you can only purchase one handgun per 30 days! Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!

Speedfish

[REDSTAR]

Yeah I saw that about the CZ52's.

I have one Molina, arsenal refinished from SOG, but for the $150 ea I decided I should pick a couple more up. I can probably do a better job refinishing than whoever did the SOG ones. They ground off the slide grips and the markings on one side.

[SalBO]

Originally posted by REDSTAR
Yeah I saw that about the CZ52's.

I have one Molina, arsenal refinished from SOG, but for the $150 ea I decided I should pick a couple more up. I can probably do a better job refinishing than whoever did the SOG ones. They ground off the slide grips and the markings on one side.


Both of mine from Century have real crisp engravings and markings....the one from SOG isnt bad but they did sand on those a bit more than needed.....

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by Speedfish
CWalker3, great job!

I wish I could order the special,but in my state of S.C., you can only purchase one handgun per 30 days! Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!

Speedfish

Now that you mention it, I realized Maryland has the same law. Now since I am designated a 'collector' by the MdSP, I can purchase as many as I want, but Century doesn't know that. I guess they just didn't bother to check into the legalities of purchasing multiple handguns.

And Redstar, check out my range report. The barrel on this one is pretty much shot out and I'll need to order a replacement. But even with purchasing a new barrel, you can't beat them for the price.