Guys,
I have just sent my P7M8 in for replating. Since I have seen repeated requests for information on this process, I have decided to document my experience for fellow P7 fans who are thinking about refinishing their guns.
I decided to send my gun to Accurate Plating and Weaponry[www.apwcogan.com.] I did this on the recomendation of several people on HK-L, and because their web page specifically mentions the p7, so I feel confident they know what they are doing (I had a problem with another company I sent the gun to --they couldn't take the gun apart!).
I decided on hard chrome because it is about as tough a finish as you can get. I decided against the other finishes because, at this point, I haven't seen any that were much tougher than standard blueing. That goes for the Glocks and the USPs. And some finishes like Robar's NP3 (or whatever) cost several hundred dollars or more.
Here is the break down
$135 Direct matte chrome with flaw removal (the guys at APandW are going to take the two rust pits that are on the slide and frame off.) I could have got a "brushed" finish but I was told that the Matte finish was bead-blasted and looked a little duller. I hope so. I like the look of electroless nickel--can't stand the shiny Hot-Rod chrome that I see on Desert Eagles. Actually, I'd like to get the look of Hans Gruber's gun in DIE HARD.
$20 Strip my old Nickel finish (never that good, HK did a real crappy job on these guns).
$15 P7 charge. Apparantly there is a snob tax at AP and W. Actually, the guy said the P7s are not easy to disassemble and they have to do extra work to remove the tooling marks that decorate the slide and trigger guard. I hope this isn't a con. But like I said, I was just happy they knew what the heck a P7 was. Unfortunately, the guy said the proof marks will be less visable due to the refinishing work.
$5 extra clip. They only give you one free one.
Grand Total=$180!! Plus the new UPS shipping!
-------------------------
The internal parts will, for the most part, not be chromed. The tolerance-sensitive parts will be left alone.
I just sent this gun in on the 7th. Duane at AP and W said 4 weeks for the whole process.
I have just sent my P7M8 in for replating. Since I have seen repeated requests for information on this process, I have decided to document my experience for fellow P7 fans who are thinking about refinishing their guns.
I decided to send my gun to Accurate Plating and Weaponry[www.apwcogan.com.] I did this on the recomendation of several people on HK-L, and because their web page specifically mentions the p7, so I feel confident they know what they are doing (I had a problem with another company I sent the gun to --they couldn't take the gun apart!).
I decided on hard chrome because it is about as tough a finish as you can get. I decided against the other finishes because, at this point, I haven't seen any that were much tougher than standard blueing. That goes for the Glocks and the USPs. And some finishes like Robar's NP3 (or whatever) cost several hundred dollars or more.
Here is the break down
$135 Direct matte chrome with flaw removal (the guys at APandW are going to take the two rust pits that are on the slide and frame off.) I could have got a "brushed" finish but I was told that the Matte finish was bead-blasted and looked a little duller. I hope so. I like the look of electroless nickel--can't stand the shiny Hot-Rod chrome that I see on Desert Eagles. Actually, I'd like to get the look of Hans Gruber's gun in DIE HARD.
$20 Strip my old Nickel finish (never that good, HK did a real crappy job on these guns).
$15 P7 charge. Apparantly there is a snob tax at AP and W. Actually, the guy said the P7s are not easy to disassemble and they have to do extra work to remove the tooling marks that decorate the slide and trigger guard. I hope this isn't a con. But like I said, I was just happy they knew what the heck a P7 was. Unfortunately, the guy said the proof marks will be less visable due to the refinishing work.
$5 extra clip. They only give you one free one.
Grand Total=$180!! Plus the new UPS shipping!
-------------------------
The internal parts will, for the most part, not be chromed. The tolerance-sensitive parts will be left alone.
I just sent this gun in on the 7th. Duane at AP and W said 4 weeks for the whole process.