Refinishing Ruger MKII

S

sigp226wgerman

New member
I have a blued MKIII and the finish is almost completely worn of off the back strap. What would be the best thing to have it refinished with? I like NP3 but $315 seemed a little high.
 
With 315 you can get another one if you look carefully. I got a mint MKII Target stainless for 229 in mint condition.
 
cecILL said:
That's just character! On a pistol like a Mark III, you might try some sort of do-it-yourself finish.
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Trust me, its bad. If you look at it funny it will rust.

Robar has an option to parkerize the externals and do the internals in NP3 for $205. I think I'll do this. The parkerizing holds up good on my 1911.
 
If you want it to look good, and don't want rust or a big expense, just get some OXPHO-BLUE (a cold blue from Brownells) and do it yourself.

Cold blue of any kind is not as good as hot blue (which was what Ruger did), but OXPHO-BLUE is very good. You may have to touch it up from time to time, if you use the gun a lot, but you'll be hard-pressed to tell that it was touched up -- and it'll only take a few minutes. (Just follow their instructions.)

If you're not happy with the results, you'll be out maybe $20 for more than enough (with a lot left over.) http://www.cabelas.com/product/Brownells-oz-Oxpho-Blue/741268.uts

For the kind of money you're talking about spending, you could almost buy a new gun or a used one in better cosmetic condition. I suspect you could also find someone locally (or within driving distance) who could hot blue it for a lot less $$$.

(Later/afterthought: don't forget that you'll have to pay to SHIP the gun to the firm doing the work, and the frame (which is serialized) is the gun, and must be sent via UPS or FedEx Air... that can add $40-$60 to your costs. Shipping is costly and a pain.)
 
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^^^
That's what I've always done.
With proper prep and application, cold blue can look good and last a long time.
You can practice on the magazines first.
 
If the pistol has sentimental value, maybe refinish.
If refinishing cost $100 or less, maybe refinish.
Otherwise, spend money on a new pistol.
 
and the frame (which is serialized) is the gun
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I am under the impression that on a MkII/MkIII, it is the barrel assembly that is serialized, and is "the gun".
I have seen lightweight barrel assemblies for MkII/MkIIIs (made in Boise, ID, and rather big bucks) at local gun shows, and they required FFL transfer, as they were serialized/AKA "the gun".

All this by way of saying...if the grip/frame is not serialized, you may send it where you please without the restrictions of a "gun", and without the FFL/FedEx/UPS expense...

If I am mistaken, someone please correct me.
 
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If the grip assembly isn't serialized, it's not the "gun." (I didn't look at mine when I made that earlier comment -- different floor, locked in the gun safe.)

I've since looked at mine. Duh... The upper assembly, which can be removed from the grip assembly, IS the serialized component.

That means the OP can mail the grip frame off for refinishing, properly insured (to cover its potential loss..)

But if he wants to be sure everything matches (and not have noticeably different "blue" finishes on the different parts) he'll probably want to send it all.

And with something like NP3, they can do the internal parts too, which can "slick" them up a bit.

.
 
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