I thought about selling my mid-size .45 M&P in order to fund my 1911 project which was supposed to be our first customized pistol. Now, the mid-size 45 with the 4" barrel is a nearly perfect service pistol. Size to weight is great, the grip size is awesome. Plus, in case I mess up it's not as much $ down the drain as with a (quality) 1911.

I've decided that the M&P becomes the 1st official service pistol customized by us. I've gotten most of the supplies and will start this weekend.

I don't want to go into details but I think it's gonna be an interesting project. Our goal is to make a good pistol better and turn it into a heavy duty workhorse that's easy on the eye.

I'm asking you to bear with this thread, be patient and let me know what you think. I'm being busy with work, school and life itself but I'll keep you posted as work progresses

Here's a last look at the factory M&P.



Thank you.

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Jorge

Will be watching !

Ha, that's a good one Philadelphia Patriot

And thank you okiegtrider, I sure appreciate it

Here's a random shot from today.



Frame is completely disassembled, for the slide I'm waiting on epj's sight pusher tool. I'm also waiting for other supplies, so I hope that - depending on today's delivery - I can do the majority of the work this and next weekend.

Two things I have outsourced simply because I have neither the knowledge nor the tools to do it. So I'm anticipating an approx. time frame of 3-4 weeks until completion

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Jorge

Okay, last picture for tonight, I'm tired.

Frame is almost done. Finished the stippling but should have rather used a smaller tip.



The back strap is really nice on the hand, the front strap is almost too aggressive but it works and gives a firm and secure grip.

EPJ's sight tool came in today and within 15min of opening the box both sights were removed. Seems like next weekend I can focus on the slide which will take up the most time. I'm excited

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Jorge

Staying tuned.

Last random shot until next weekend.



The sights are removed and now I'm waiting on other supplies to come in. My employer (yes, I have a main job) gave me a huge opportunity and I'll grab life by the horns and enter a 16 week "school" so to say. Therefore I can only work weekends on this project. Patience is not my strong foot but I'll have to make it work.

Thank y'all for sticking with me

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Jorge

Alright, frame is almost done and I'm pretty sure it's finished next weekend. Currently removing the finish of the slide. It's more of a PITA than I thought. But it shows that S&W does a good job. The slide is thoroughly hardened and melonite is a solid finish, period.

Should have more news/pictures next weekend

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Jorge

Any progress this weekend? Or did you get washed away in that crazy flash flood over there? I got caught in it. Was stranded at Love's on 49 for hours!

Medicine Park? Dang...

Unfortunately no progress this week, it's hard for me to manage attending two FT schools (one physical, one online) plus taking care of family and business.

But luckily no flood where we live (few miles south of Sill).

We did however pull the trigger on a D130.



It's a lot of money but we needed it. Our old broken self-propelled mower doesn't run quite right and the grass was already over 3 feet high in certain places. The grass was still kinda wet when I was mowing yesterday but there's more rain coming today so I just did it.

Hope I get something done next weekend. Still working on removing the old finish on the slide, it's a pain in the back...

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Jorge

Nice lawn tractor. A fine thing to have.

Not to derail the thread too much, but flooding out there was fast and a little scary! These taken at the Love's store where I waited it out.

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America First

Wow, that's some scary flooding

Scary flooding indeed. Glad it's all over now.

Worked on the slide today. Can't share much since I want to have the surprise effect on my side. But if you like classic custom 1911's then you might get an idea

Will post more next weekend. Thanks for staying with me, I do appreciate it

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Jorge

Staying tuned...

Alright, I'm done with the slide metal work. Next week I'll refinish it. Then I have to send it out for some work I can't do. Either tomorrow or next week I'll complete the frame. Then I can post more pictures

Thanks for staying with me

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Jorge

So today I finished my school and tomorrow I'll start working on that gun again. Next week I have some days to myself so I hope I can finish it

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Jorge

Alright, today I went on to duracoat the slide and it looks like it came straight out of the sewer. I don't like the refinishing process like bluing, parkarizing, etc but I figured I can do a duracoat. Well no. I got the Brownells kit in matte black and it sucks. Even though I mixed and applied as per instructions the result is still painful. After a waiting period I wanted to apply another layer and bam, the stupid airbrush broke. Doesn't work anymore

So I've decided that I will not offer any custom work. I did this pistol just for me and that's it. I will focus on selling, diagnose and repair. No custom work.



I'll probably end up sending the slide out and get it professionally done.

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Jorge

JJGH Hey!!! you done an outstanding job. We all learn that there is not enough hours in a day to do all that we want to do. I wish you the best on your future firearms projects.

Thanks for your pep talk though. But for today I'm just frustrated...

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Jorge

I'm sure with time you will become great at custom firearms. I would not give up. If you decide that slides are not your thing, there are plenty of companies I have found that do everything but slide work. You can team up with someone who does slides and throw each other work.

Ha, I was just ranting :-)

I'll replace the duracoat equipment and re-do it. Glad I don't "need" the pistol right now so I just have to be patient.

Thanks though, I appreciate your post

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Jorge

Still staying tuned. I suspect we'll see this gun again. Kudos for a first effort at something most of us wouldn't tackle at all, let alone in a public forum.

Thank you

Currently I'm so busy with other stuff that I haven't had the time to make great progress. I'll have to start over on the slide and keep looking for a better option to apply the finish. Don't wanna send it off and wait forever to get it back.

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Jorge

If you are going to do it, do it right. Preparation is the key with any spray finish. Get yourself an air compressor and a blasting cabinet with a fine aluminum oxide blast media. You have to have the proper surface for the coating to stick. Before and after blasting, degrease the slide with Acetone.

Try Cerakote. It sprays easier, is thinner and is a superior coating. Even KG Gunkote is better than Duracoat.

I am not a fan of Duracoat but it is evident you did not properly
prep the slide before spraying. Try again after proper prep.

Thanks for your feedback. The airbrush pistol broke that's why it's messed up.

I'm not sure yet but I'm kinda interested in BROWNELLS - ALUMA-HYDE® II. I have to slow down so I can do more research before buying...

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Jorge

In for the custom work!

I have sprayed Aluma-Hyde. It is not too bad. It appears your coating has sloughed off and orange peeled. This is related to surface prep and not the sprayer

Yeah, since I have to start all over I'll pay extra attention to surface prep.

Still waiting on supplies. I'll have more updates in 2 weeks.

Thank y'all for bearing with me, I do appreciate it

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Jorge

Subscribed.
Don't give up!

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Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."