Elite Force M1911A1 External Overhaul!

[BlackJack]

Hey y'all!
So I literally JUST got this bad boy today.
I scored a sweet deal on a used Elite Force M1911A1 w/ 3 mags and it arrived today.

This is the original gun as it came to me (and as it comes out of the box)


I knew, before I even got the gun, exactly what I wanted to do to it and what I wanted it to look like.
Originally it has a matte black finish with plastic black grips and a orange threaded adapter on the end of the barrel.
My plan was to strip the paint off the slide (making it a chrome/nickel plated slide), strip the paint off the mags (same effect) and to replace the plastic black grips with Real Steel Rosewood Colt grips.

This is the planned, finished product.


Within mere minutes of opening up the box, I had the gun field stripped and began taking off the paint.
Over the next hour or so, I reached this point...



So far I am nearly done! All I have left is to fix a small issue with the wooden grips. On the Elite Force 1911s there is a small hump on the metal grip (to allow room for the co2 cartridge) and thus the real steel grips don't sit flush on the gun. Once I fix that, I simply need to find a suitable pistol suppressor and I am finished with the 2nd addition to the "Blackjack Arsenal", The Maverick.

[det. mcclane]

Not bad! I like it, it's a very classy looking gun!

[BlackJack]

Thanks! When its all done I hope that it will have that "classy" look while still having an "edge" to it.
But I have to figure out those grips and track down the perfect suppressor!

[Rockstar]

Man the paint removal looks sweet!! I have the Red Jacket licensed one and after seeing this, I REALLY want to do this. Would you be able to do it? Or give a tutorial?

[BlackJack]

Sure I could do it for you. I had to use a bench grinder with a wire wheel, so if you have one I can show you/teach you how. I will say I still need a little touch up work and I am going to look into possibly polishing it a little too.
But if you don't want to do it yourself or don't have the grinder, I can do it. 

[Rockstar]

Yeah I definitely don't have those tools lol. I have something in mind. I'll pm you and we can discuss details.

[BlackJack]

So after about an hour of work, I was able to install my Colt .45 Rosewood grips, and fit my suppressor.
Here is the finished project...

[Reverandff7]

Now I have a g18 that has a pretty crappy done paint removal to it... almost looks terrible lol. I was wondering how did you make it shine?

[BlackJack]

Since the slide is metal, all you have to do is remove the paint. I used a bench grinder with a wire wheel. But you can use emery paper instead.

[BlackJack]

Alright quick update! The wire wheel will work but I do not recommend it. It will take the paint off but it gives the metal a brushed look rather than a polished look.
If you have a few hours to kill and a collection of high grit sand paper and emery paper, and a lot of elbow grease, then you can get this look.
Otherwise you can see my ad in the classifieds and get in contact with me and I can do it for you.