DLC treated Freedom Arms

[welldone]

I’m just wondering if anybody has had DLC treatment done on a Freedom Arms revolver. I’ve been saving my hard earned money to buy a Freedom Arms pistol and I know that the satin finish screams “in the white” nothing to hide here type statement , BUT I sure do like a blued finish pistol. Any pics would be helpful.

[KRal]

With Freedom Arms having such tight tolerances, I don't know if its a candidate for any type coating.....but, I could be very wrong.

[kmcdonou]

I think it was John Kelly at Magnaport that told me he was concerned about coating the Freedom Arms I had at one point. However, I think a plating process like IonBond or CCR's Dusk would be fine. I saw Max Prasac got a BFR done in black nitride and BFR's are supposed to have tight tolerances.

[tarbe]

There was a fellow some years back who had an FA83 black nitrided and magnaported. Turned our really nice. Thread was on the cast boolits forum.

IIRC nitriding does not actually add anything measurable to the pistol. It is more like CCH?

[msalm]

You need to look at the temps that treatment is carried out at. Also, melonite would likely be the choice for at least the barrel as the DLC may not get in the bore in the center as it is a vapor deposition process done in vacuum. Either one does not add any buildup to the material and would work as long as the process didn’t harm the heat treatment of critical parts like the frame and cylinder. It would be extremely durable for sure.

[texasdude74]

I know BFR has black nitrided a few, while I’m sure it would be very durable and offer corrosion protection, I didn’t care for the look of it one bit. I have that finish on my Nighthawk 1911 and love it.
DLC would be a bit glossier, especially if the gun was polished a bit first. Neither treatment involves enough heat to worry about effecting the heat treat. Neither is thick enough to cause issues with fitment either.
I’m curious what an ionbond coated Freedom Arms would look like myself. Just not curious enough to take the leap!

[welldone]

I called a few facilities that offer the DLC and IonBond. They talked in “microns “. From what I interpreted, we’re talking just a few .0001 of an inch. As texadude stated, the temps used are way lower that messing with the heat treatment. I have not found a facility that has actually done a Freedom Arms pistol. They will be glad to do the work but the gun has to be taken apart before they receive it.Talk about being puckered up while taking my pistol apart! I’m still researching.

[oldseabee]

I think it called D & H in Ohio that does custom work for freedom arms. But the post I saw said you have to disassemble and ship the parts, not springs. I think he said 200. Was the going rate. If I can find it I'll repost it here.

[oldseabee]

I'm getting old, I got the name wrong but did find it. So here you go.
castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-314385.html

[savit260]

Doesn't Bobby Tyler offer some type of blue finish for stainless steel?

[loupuleff]

Coating shouldn't be a issue but don't magna port your gun I had mine cut off unless you have a 10 or 12 " barrel imo

[gunsbam45]

www.bowenclassicarms.com/workshop.html

The link above to the Bowen site will show at the top of the page, at least for now, a friend's blue Redhawk with a stainless Anaconda barrel. I have not gotten to actually see the gun in my own hand yet, but some other friends of ours who are all died in the wool old school blue gun guys tell me it has to be seen in person to be believed. I saw cel phone pics of it against another very nice new real blued Bowen gun, and it makes the real blue gun look like a bit of a turd, if you can imagine that. Hamilton says in the note on this one that he is looking at doing an FA with this finish as a shop project, and says inquiries are welcome, so maybe another source to consider as well. If nothing else, it might be interesting to see what comes of his FA project before you spring for yours

[45MAN]

Mar 13, 2021 18:33:30 GMT -5 loupuleff said:

Coating shouldn't be a issue but don't magna port your gun I had mine cut off unless you have a 10 or 12 " barrel imo

I HAVE 5 MODEL 83 454's, A 12 INCHER, A 10 INCHER, 2 8 3/8ths INCHERS, AND A 6 INCHER. ALL ARE MNP'ed, THE 6 INCHER IS AN OS REVOLVER, THE OTHER 4 ARE SCOPED. I REALLY LIKE MNP AND PACHMAYR's ON MY FA 454's. FOR ME, MNP'ing IS A PLUS ON THE 454 FA REVOLVERS.