BFR finish quality

[setarip]

I bought a BFR in .500JRH this summer. I really like it, but am slightly disappointed in the overall finish quality. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that pretty much every manufacturer has their issues and unless going full custom, none are perfect. The area on the firearm that is the worst is the area around the trigger guard. I can’t believe how terribly it’s finished. Has anyone refinished this area themselves, or are most people content with this level of finishing?

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[squigz]

I myself and (not to speak for others on here) have complained about the sharp edges around the trigger guard. To which we just take a little emorary paper and clean it up so they're not so sharp.

Otherwise, I can't complain about my BFR at all just due to simply how wonderful it shoots.

[Encore64]

I just bought two and both required touching up with multi-grit Emory Boards. But, I also just bought two FA83s that required the same.

I admit to being OCD. But, enjoy bringing all guns up to my standards.

[bigbore5]

I only have two regular production BFR's. Other than the usual sharp edges, one was very well finished. The other one not so much.

First off I will use a file and emory cloth to round off any sharp edges and the trigger guard. Then a few minutes with a carding wheel for a nice brushed finish. The same effect can be had with using scotchbrite pads. Green will provide a Ruger like finish. Grey with a little extra time will duplicate the Freedom Arms Premiere finish.

I've never had any actual fit or performance problems. They cost less than a Freedom Arms Premiere because they don't have the fine finish, not because it's not as fine a functioning or accurate gun.

[setarip]

Honestly, everything else about the gun is fantastic. But the uneven finishing of the trigger guard and the chatter marks on the beveling sours the gun a bit. I’m planning on refinishing it myself, but I want to avoid trying it haphazardly. I’d love to see some photos of how any of you cleaned up the imperfections (or refinishing the entire gun if that’s what you did). Thanks for the quick replies!

edit: I also have contacted Magnum Research and they were very honest about the trigger guard being difficult for them to finish as well as the rest of the gun. Even on the custom bfr’s. They said I could send it in and pay a small fee (like $65) to have it refinished, but it will likely not change the trigger guard much. I do appreciate their honesty.

[bigbore5]

I've never thought about doing before pics on a BFR. Just go slow. Glue the emory paper to Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors. Some people even use the lady's fingernail emory boards or so I have heard. I'm pretty handy with a jewelers file and use those.

[gnappi]

Aug 29, 2024 15:58:15 GMT -5 setarip said:

Honestly, everything else about the gun is fantastic. But the uneven finishing of the trigger guard and the chatter marks on the beveling sours the gun a bit. I’m planning on refinishing it myself, but I want to avoid trying it haphazardly. I’d love to see some photos of how any of you cleaned up the imperfections (or refinishing the entire gun if that’s what you did). Thanks for the quick replies!

edit: I also have contacted Magnum Research and they were very honest about the trigger guard being difficult for them to finish as well as the rest of the gun. Even on the custom bfr’s. They said I could send it in and pay a small fee (like $65) to have it refinished, but it will likely not change the trigger guard much. I do appreciate their honesty.

  Funny, (or not) both of mine have the sides of the trigger guard finished as well as the rest of the revolver, the underside are a bit rough but not anywhere near as bad the pix you posted. 

  

[Encore64]

Yeah, mine weren't quite as bad as that one either. Still, I don't see anything a few bucks worth of Emory Cloth, Emory Boards and a little work won't fix "better than new."

I realize that some say they shouldn't have to work on a new gun period. Perhaps that's true, but if these guns had the tedious hand work done, the price would go up considerably.

Since they cost well under half a Freedom Arms, it's worth a little work to me.

[gregs]

Aug 29, 2024 15:23:18 GMT -5 setarip said:

I bought a BFR in .500JRH this summer. I really like it, but am slightly disappointed in the overall finish quality. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that pretty much every manufacturer has their issues and unless going full custom, none are perfect. The area on the firearm that is the worst is the area around the trigger guard. I can’t believe how terribly it’s finished. Has anyone refinished this area themselves, or are most people content with this level of finishing?

Every stainless Ruger so far and a few blued XR3 that I converted to bisleys. I believe my FA83 in 454 was square and true but had to break the crisp edges abit. Never seen a BFR but want a 500 LB. A few tool marks shame on and some sharps edges is easy enough to deal with for me but Ruger trigger guards are uneven and would like to consider there finish an afterthought. I've spend hours cleaning up their idea of finishing.

Surprising to hear that of BFR. Now, a Colt 1911 has some sharp edges. After coming from the 1911 world, blending and melts are the standard.

Get some good 02 or 04 cut jewelerçs files, sone 220 330 and 400 and some 5 gal paint stir sticks along with some scotch Brite pads and take your time and make it right if you have the patience and attention to detail. If not, spend the coin and have someone do it for you or risk sending it back to the mother ship

[AxeHandle]

Hasn't been that many years since Magnum Research delivered the BFR with the part of the grip frame covered by the grips rough as a cob. I remember Reeder writing about customer screaming big time about it after Reeder had fit new grips to his BFR and NOT finished out the frame. Evolution seems to have fixed that...

[rkcohen]

just curious, before going to a forum - did you call the folks at bfr?

[Encore64]

Sept 9, 2024 10:17:35 GMT -5 rkcohen said:

just curious, before going to a forum - did you call the folks at bfr?

Read the 5th post...

[joeygoods67]

For the cost of the BFR I'm a bit disappointed they can't finish it better. I mean I have 5 ruger revolvers and I completely understand complaints about finish but acknowledge that they're a lot more affordable.

A BFR No. 5 in .500 linebaugh will be over 3k I think, so I'd like the finish to reflect that.

Then again I have a freedom arms m83 premier. Love that one and have no issues with the fit and finish.

[jrwilliams]

I don’t think the OPs BFR was a custom shop model. Having just got a new Ruger Blackhawk and a new production BFR I can tell you that just based on those two revolvers. The additional $230 I spent on the BFR was money well spent.

The trigger guard finish was better on the BFR, although that doesn’t really bother me that much as these are both destined to be hunting guns.

The grip fit on the Blackhawk was pretty atrocious, but had plans for an RW gripframe anyway.

I like rugers as they have many different models and can be had in smaller/lighter packages.

But with the price increases on Ruger SA’s, if Magnum Research ever produces Blackhawk size frames revolvers at their same price, Ruger would have to watch out.

John

[bigbore5]

Sept 18, 2024 10:15:22 GMT -5 joeygoods67 said:

For the cost of the BFR I'm a bit disappointed they can't finish it better. I mean I have 5 ruger revolvers and I completely understand complaints about finish but acknowledge that they're a lot more affordable.

A BFR No. 5 in .500 linebaugh will be over 3k I think, so I'd like the finish to reflect that.

Then again I have a freedom arms m83 premier. Love that one and have no issues with the fit and finish.

Every #5 BFR I have seen is fully finished out. I'd guess by hand when they machine in the cylinder pin latch. They aren't built from a special casting. It a regular frame the custom shop fits the pin lock to.