Wilson Armor Tuff finish?

[Another19]

I just bought a blued Colt 1911 Series 80, and although it is new there is some rust. I'm thinking of sending it off to Wilson Combat for their Armor Tuff finsih, a non-ambi safety, and a feed ramp polish and barrel throat job. I'm considering their high ride drop in beavertail grip safety also, but don't know how different it is from the stock Colt one. I'm going to shoot it for the first time Thursday, and will see how the stock grip safety feels then.

So, my questions are:

Any opinions on the finish?
Anyone have Wilson's drop in high ride beavertail grip safety?
Do I send it directly to Wilson or does it have to be sent by an FFL holder?
Anything else you'd recommend having them do if I end up sending it to them?

[madecov]

I've read on other forums that the armor tuff isn't all that tough.

[Another19]

Any suggestions? I'm thinking Wilson because I can have them do everything including the finish. I don't really want a company that just does refinishing. I had a 1911 hard chromed long ago and the slide stop was polished to an incorrect angle and would lock the slide back after every shot. I want a pistolsmith doing the prep work and inspecting it after the finish is applied.

I mostly want it finished because it was purchased new with rust already developing. Blued guns are beautiful, but it is far from my favorite finish. I've even considered sending my S&W Model 41 and Makarov off to be refinsihed.

[OUSooner]

I have heard though the Wilson finish is attractive it wears quickly. I would send it to Springfield for the armory kote and get the other stuff you wanted done as well. Should be a lot cheaper as well.

[Another19]

Will SA work on a Colt?

[h2o-5o]

While not on a 1911, I do have one of Wilson's Scattergun Technologies shotguns with the green finish on it. I've had it for about a year, and the finish seems to be holding up pretty well. I don't think it's anywhere near as tough as hard chrome, but it seems to be doing OK.

[plumbum2]

dont waste your money sending it to wilson or a manufacturer.

go to somewhere like www.trippresearch.com

or dawsonprecision ect...

[Short Cut]

Another option and one that can do the work and the finish is Robar.

http://www.robarguns.com/DesktopDefault.aspx

[txleapd]

I got my pistol refinished by M1 Tactical (http://m1tactical.com). They used CeraKote (Which is a type of ceramic coating) on the outside/all externals and MicroSlick (Which is supposed to be an improved version of Robar's NP3) on the inside/all internals.

It's holding up as well as can expected on a work gun. There is a little wear in the expected places. Cleaning it is a breeze, the grime just wipes right off.

The easy part for me is that they are just down the road from me and will touch it up for free whenever the gun needs it.

[JTB]

Robar gets my vote, they will do all that you need done.

Originally posted by Short Cut
Another option and one that can do the work and the finish is Robar.

http://www.robarguns.com/DesktopDefault.aspx

[Rinspeed]

Originally posted by Short Cut
Another option and one that can do the work and the finish is Robar.

http://www.robarguns.com/DesktopDefault.aspx


I would vote for Robar as well. Robbie Barkman has a reputation that is first rate and if you do some research you will find few that have a problem with Robar. Keep in mind that all the bake on finishes will show holster wear with time.

[quantico]

The wilson drop in beavertail is not as slick looking as a real fitted one... but seems to fit very well and works fine on my norinco. I like birdsongs black teflon, but he is not a gunsmith to work on other areas..

You can send your gun in directly, use fedex overnight and it can be returned to you the same way with a signature required on both ends.. make sure the gun is unloaded and well packaged.

[quantico]

Originally posted by Another19

Anyone have Wilson's drop in high ride beavertail grip safety?

Anything else you'd recommend having them do if I end up sending it to them?

I like my wilson drop in...

I might have the barrel crowned and a trigger job done... if the trigger is not to your taste stock..

[buggsb]

Just my $0.02, but I'd spend some time shooting it to see what you really like and don't like about it...then you can decide what you want done along with the refinishing.

I've had good luck with my Armor Tough finish...it's the most durable polymer finish I've had. No finish will last forever on a gun that really gets used. Hard chrome is probably the best for wear resistance, if you don't mind the siver finishes. Haven't had one done myself, but have heard good things about CeraKote if you want a black finish.

[Irishwolf]

Cerakote has other colors besides Black. This was done in Cerakote OD Green Slide and Coyote Brown Frame.

Awesome Combo!

http://www.m1tactical.com/images/MISCPIX/colt%20gold%20cup%20cap.jpg

[SilverState]

I bought my Wilson Combat CQB used. It looks like new even though the seller indicated that he had put a couple thousand rounds through it. I have been holstering it in a cow leather Milt Sparks VM2, cleaning it with brake clean and Hoppe's #9, and the finish still looks new.

So maybe hard chrome is more durable, AND A LOT EASIER TO SEE IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS, but I will stick to Wilson's Armor Tuff.

[jws10mm]

I've owned my Wilson Protector for four years now and the Armor Tuff started to wear from day one. I finally decided to get it re-finished last year. Instead of sending it back to Wilson I had it Black T'd by W.Birdsong. This finish is excellent, I haven't noticed any wear and I carry it almost daily. From what I've been told Wilson used to send all his 1911's to Birdsong for the Black T finish, and in my opinion he should have kept it up.

[SIG_220]

Black T is really nice....
(Not my guns BTW)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/pistolfodder/blackt.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/pistolfodder/32163_RRAsized.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/pistolfodder/32160_RRALeftsidesized.jpg
http://www.rockriverarms.com/images/pstl1.gif

[Short Cut]

Here's a picture of a Wilson Tactical Elite with black Armor Tough finish.

Speaking of tough finishes, I'm surprised more firearms makers aren't using Tungsten DLC. That's what the knife is coated with and Kahr is also using it now. FWIU it was developed to prolong the life of transmission parts by reducing their friction coefficient. It appears much more matte than the poly/teflon type finishes and based upon how it has held up on the knife it will last a long, long time.

http://home.comcast.net/~1911brass/Tac_E_Dempsey_fighter.jpg