Has anyone had Mahovskys Metalife plate anything for them recently? Everything I've read has said they are very good. But, I've also been hearing that their stated turnaround time of 30 days is very optimistic and it's more like 120 days now.

Very fast had a model 19 done less then two weeks.

I had a very finish challenged M15 no dash coated. It was about 45 days, he coats other stuff other than guns, so he batches coats. If you are lucky like the previous poster 2 wks, but you may have to wait.

Good finish, it is my all weather, or condition carry.

C/R JPG

I talked to Ron Mahovsky on the phone early last week, before dropping off a Model 10 to be buffed out and reblued for IDPA. He said turnaround time was running about 30 days, which is the same time frame given on his web sight. Hey, maybe I'll get lucky and get a call to pick up my gun next week!

Or maybe not.

Let me know how that goes! I still have to put some rounds through my new shooter to make sure it's all good before sending off. It's probably going to be a few weeks before I'm ready.

I only live about 90 mins from him so as soon as he calls I will be headed his way to pick it up.

This Model 10 was a former prison gun and had some nicks, scratches and worn blueing. I did an action job and test fired the gun before delivering it to his shop. I asked Ron to buff the marks out as much as possible, without damaging the roll marks or emblems before bluing. If his blueing jobs are anything like his Metalife work I'm sure it will look good when it returns.

I thought about having the gun Metalifed, but decided the M10 would just look better blued. It is going to be an IDPA gun, so I know it will get holster worn again, but this time by me. Next time it needs refinished we may go the Metalife route, but for now it's a classic blue.

I just had some small parts done (a Ruger LCP slide and barrel and a Springfield XDm 5.25" barrel) and it was about 3 weeks, I think, maybe less.

UPDATED 3/5/12 at 11:00 PM: Well it's been about 3 1/2 weeks since I dropped off my Model 10 for bluing. Based on the 30 day turn around time published on the web site I should hear something by the end of this week. I'll post back here when I get the call.

This Saturday (2/11/12) will be 30 days since I dropped my gun off.

Earlier today sent Mr. Mahovsky an email asking for a tentative pickup date. I live within driving distance of his shop so I plan to pick it up in person rather than have it shipped.

I'll post back when I hear from him.

Uh-Oh! I hope you didn't just make him mad and get shot to the end of the line!

Ron does nice work, I know as he did a chrome plating for me a while back but as several comments/posts on this and other forums attest, communication is not his strong suit. Reaching him by phone or getting calls/emails returned is a poor proposition at best. It's been said that he doesn't have an extensive support staff at his shop. That could be quite the understatement. However, he does do really nice work at a fair price. One just has to be patient. Hope all works out well for you. I suspect that like most when you get your gun back you'll be very satisfied.

When I see this as a response to a question of "how long is it going to take?" I cringe because I know it is time to seriously ponder whether I do have the patients required...normaly I do not.

I did not prepay for the work since I am paying in CASH when I pick up the gun. So if he wants paid, he has to get it done.

If he moves me to the back of the line so be it, I'll just pick it up when it's ready.

I bought the gun for IDPA SSR, and it's winter here, so it's not a big deal. I'm just trying plan my schedule and budget for next week.

UPDATED 2/15/12: We are now at 34 days. No word yet, so that may be an answer your original question. Keep in mind my gun is in for hot BLUING, and he may be waiting for a few more guns to blue before firing up the tanks. Also the Metalife process may be on a different production schedule. Good things come to those who wait.

Did you ever send your gun in to be refinished?

No, The gun is having magazine issues right out of the box. I'm waiting on some better quality mags that are apparently lost in the mail, but that's another story. Plus I wanted to see how yours went first...

If yours doesn't turn into a fiasco for you and my mags ever show and cure my problem I'll go from there.

I just received an email from Mahovsky this morning. He said he was sorry for the delay and that my gun will be blued on February 22. As I suspected they were working overtime on plating jobs, which is their main business. Although he didn't say it, he may also have been waiting for enough guns to justify firing up the bluing tanks, which is understandable. Either way so far, so good.

UPDATE 02/28/12: It's February 28th and still no word. I sent an email on the 23rd, and phoned on the 24th about a pickup date. I got the voice mail when I called and left a message. No reply to either inquiry. I had hoped to have the gun for this Sunday's IDPA match (3/4/12), but it looks like that's not going to happen. Maybe I'll have it for the April Fool's Day match.

Well... I picked up my Model 10 at Metalife today after having it blued by Ron Mahovsky. Turn around time was six weeks. My gun took a little over the 30 day estimate, but since most of their work is plating, and they were swamped I fully understand the slight delay in gun bluing.

Regarding the quality of the work... well, keep reading. The Model 10 I sent him was a former prison guard gun with worn bluing and lots of small nicks in the metal, plus shiney spots on the matte top strap. I bought the gun as a "shooter" with plans to use it for IDPA SSR (after having it reblued), but now I will have to buy another gun for match use. Why?

The finish now looks so good I don't want to mess it up with holster wear. Ron buffed out all of the nicks, re-bead blasted the top strap and gave it a beautifull deep, even, blue-black finish.

I showed it to my son and he said it looked new. I plan to send him more bluing and plating work in the future. Great work at a very fair price.

Thanks Ron.

Mahovsky Metaform chrome: Just had a Sig 226 slide that was previously done but had small defects re-worked free of charge. Less than two week turnaround time. Looks perfect now.

I bookmarked their home page.
I may send them a couple of autos and revolvers for finishing.

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