Finish wear on a good pistol?

[RECIT]

I purchased a pistol from a pawn shop with considerable finish wear but mechanically great. I have thinking of having it cerakoted. I have a friend of mine that does a really good job and will give me a nice break on the price of the service. What I am wondering is will an aftermarket coating like cerakote increase the value of a visibly worn gun enough to make it worth while? The pistol I purchased has considerable holster wear and the front of the grip has almost no finish left on it at all in some areas. I can get the whole thing done in two different colors of my choice for about $150. I've got less than $500 in my gun and think if it looked brand new when he is done I might be able to get my money back and then some IF I decide to part with it. Any thoughts on re-coating a worn gun are appreciated.

[RECIT]

If I was looking to buy a gun that had been re-finished, the first thought that would come to my mind would be, "what is he trying to hide?"

but that's just my suspicious nature.

I was trying to hide the worn out finish on the gun , but I see your point.

[74novaman]

As long as it was a "carry" gun and not some rare collectors item, I don't think a quality refinish should hurt your resale at all. Probably won't add value, but shouldn't detract from it.

[RECIT]

It is nothing collectible really, just a well used 1911. What about a case like this http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... 79#p647479" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, a recently restored gun ready to sell. The finish on my gun is not pitted or corroded at all just plain worn off by the previous owner. Mine would look very similar to the link above when finished or re-finished for that matter other than mine is a Springfield and not a Colt.

[RECIT]

I apologize for sounding flippant in the earlier post. I realize you are just re-finishing the pistol so it looks better. But a re-finish, especially with something as opaque as CeraKote could be hiding extremely deep pitting, welded cracks in a slide or frame, butchered sight dovetails, or something like that. With the original finish, I can see what I am buying, not so easy with one that is re-finished.

Oh I agree, I am just trying to make look like new again. Would a worn looking but great shooting Springfield 1911 be worth more than $500 with stainless controls, worn black finish, and novak sights? Or should I spend the extra $150 or so and get it re-coated strictly for aesthetics and try to get $700 for it?

[Jumping Frog]

Oh I agree, I am just trying to make look like new again. Would a worn looking but great shooting Springfield 1911 be worth more than $500 with stainless controls, worn black finish, and novak sights? Or should I spend the extra $150 or so and get it re-coated strictly for aesthetics and try to get $700 for it?

I think if you want to spend the money to make it look nice for your own personal satisfaction, then do so. But don't expect to make money -- or even get your money back -- from refinishing it. Refinish it, then carry it and use it for years for your own enjoyment, not for any resale value.

FWIW, I spent $700 for a brand new in box Springfield Armory "Loaded" model with night sights. Can't really see you get $700 out of a used gun.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

I once bought a Lorcin 22 short for $27, put a $4 coat of Krylon on it and sold it for $36.

[10mmillie]

I've had refinish jobs done on guns that had no othere reason that I wanted it to look a certain way. I would spend the money and get it refinished if I were you. Get to look the way you want it and if you sell and make your money back then it's all good.