Colt Agent Project: Before/After

[doc540]

[ELB]

OK, given that I have TWO used Colt Cobras set back for me at the local gun emporium, one of whose finish is remarkably "well used," I need some details!

[doc540]

OK, given that I have TWO used Colt Cobras set back for me at the local gun emporium, one of whose finish is remarkably "well used," I need some details!

Piece o' cake

1st time DuraCoat spray job
Hammer bob and checker (amateur gunsmith friend)
Jim Badger grips
Gary Dean trigger job

That's about all it takes.

[ELB]

Thanks. Both Colts I am buying have rough finishes, and I hope to do both of them. The one that is really ugly (looks like it ratttled around in a glove box or desk drawer for years) already has a bobbed hammer. Unless I find a reason not to, I will probably bob the other one as well -- or maybe put a shroud on it. I've had the urge to experiment with Duracoat or something similar, these Colts might be just the project.

Don't know who Gary Dean is tho -- where is he located?

thx

elb

[doc540]

The rougher the finish, the better DuraCoat fills and adheres. If you mix it right and spray it lightly, it's pretty easy.

Gary is a longtime local gunsmith who for 20+years had a private business in Lumberton, TX.

He now works for Gander Mountain in Beaumont, but still delivers great work and great service. (I'm not much of a Gander Mountain fan myself.)

He's even done a trigger job for me while I waited in the store!.

[ntexaschl]

WOW doc...absolutely amazing!!

[The Annoyed Man]

VERY well done!

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Man, that really looks good!

Best and thank you for letting us see it.

[doc540]

Hello. Man, that really looks good!

Best and thank you for letting us see it.

Thank you for providing a forum to share it!

[boomerang]

Sweet! Did you use an airbrush for the duracoat? How did you prevent overspray into the internals?

[doc540]

Sweet! Did you use an airbrush for the duracoat? How did you prevent overspray into the internals?

Had it for 30 years and have NO clue how to adjust it properly.

I just taped off the hammer, put a bore mop in the barrel, and removed the grips.

I got lucky.

[doc540]

update

Back from the range and the Agent's first shoot. This little booger shoots GREAT! It's bumped the Detective Special out of first place, and will now be my carry gun. Fantastic trigger, good balance, accurate, and even though it's lighter, it's very easy to control for followup shots.

re: DuraCoat project

Notice how the heat and powder flame has kind of scalloped the cylinders. Not sure if I didn't apply it thickly enough or if it hasn't fully hardened in the last week or so.

Just thought I'd give everyone a head's up about this issue. Actually, I kind'a LIKE IT...reminds me of a '50's hotrod flame job.

Also, I should have loaded empty brass into the cylinder before I sprayed it. Had to use emery paper to clean up the cylinder bores so empty brass ejects smoothly. No big deal, but something to remember if you're planning on doing a DuraCoat job.