How Could I Get A Chrome Colt Gun?

Question

I don't know much about guns but lets say I want a 1911 Colt  (much like the one seen here > http://www.impactguns.com/store/098289041067.html < I'd like to get it more for display purposes rather then defense purposes and I'd also like to get it engraved. But where could I go to give it a chrome or metallic finish so it shines a bit brighter? Is it even possible and how much more would it cost?

Gray Wanderer · Accepted Answer

To answer your question, you buy a Colt gun and ruin it by taking it to a plater and having it chrome plated.  You are better off having the gun nickel plated, or better yet, buy a stainless steel gun like the one you linked to and have it polished, another benefit to the stainless steel is that, if you do have it engraved, the engraving is sharper and better looking than nickel plating after engraving it.

Here are two examples of polished stainless steel 1911s

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Guns-Handguns-Semi-Automatic-38-Caliber-Colt-38-Super-Semi-Automatic-Handgun-38-Super-5-inches-Barrel-10-Rounds-Rosewood-Grip_QQ60557_QQ2948

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Guns-Handguns-Semi-Automatic-38-Caliber-Para-Ordnance-PXT-1911-SSP-Semi-Automatic-Handgun-38-Super-5-inches-Barrel-10-Rounds-C_QQ60328_QQ2948

You are more likely to find the high polish stainless in .38 super, but they can be ordered in .45acp, or easily converted to .45acp

? · Answer

Colt 1911 Chrome

Anonymous · Answer

Rather than trying to engrave and chrome a gun just buy a polished stainless steel gun.  Most manufactures make a stain steel gun now.  A Colt 1911 in stainless will cost you about $800 to $900.  Engraving a stainless gun saves you the step of plating it with chrome.

Factory engraving is very expensive.  There are private engravers who can do the same work for about half, or less.  Check out www.mtart.com   Take a look at my favorite engraver's work.  Gouse has done three guns for me.  His work is reasonable and turn around time is weeks, not months.

Anonymous · Answer

The one you are looking at is not chrome but stainless steel (SS). Chrome is too soft and would scratch, chip or peel. Nickel was once very popular as it was a hard finish, did not chip or peel easily, and would not rust. But as it was still a plating, one had to be careful not to mess up the tolerances between parts. Stainless finishes can come in a high polish or a satin finish. Custom engraving can be had from several sources. The big manufactures (Colt, S&W, Baretta, etc) can point you in the right direction if they have no one available. Many have their own in-house engravers who are usually amoung the best in the world. Be fore warned, custom engraving can be very expensive. Especially if you go for any inlay (like gold).

Anonymous · Answer

If you want a stock gun enhanced, you will need to go to a gunsmith, check the phonebook....BUT...you don't want 'chrome'.  What you are probably thinking of is "Nickle Plated" but that is just a coating they put over top. I think the best option is to purchase a stainless steel gun and have it polished to a mirror finish by the gunsmith.

here is a link to a picture of a gun shined to mirror finish. It is a relvolver, sorry I have no good pics of a 1911 shined up.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j110/hexidismal29/badgerboth-10-2c.jpg

tigglys · Answer

Engraving is EXPENSIVE. There is an Engraver's Show in Reno, NV at the end of the month (I don't have the details, but it is supposed to be the best show like it.) 

(Getting something chromed, is relatively cheaper.)

And, the one on that link is for sale, right?

Setzer · Answer

Contact Colt... 

Most gun companies do make special guns... at a cost

I will warn you though, don't expect to get a good custom 1911 for less than 2,000 dollars

How Could I Get A Chrome Colt Gun?

7 Answers