Recent content by Hill_Country

I don't know where the Swedish K's came from, but there seemed to be a lot of them around and the people who had them really liked them. I often wondered if, like the Uzi, they were really a good weapon or people just liked them because they were sexy - the spook factor. The HP was kind of...

I was in-country 70 to 72. Let's say I knew a guy who knew a guy and leave it at that. The base and station personnel had a choice between a 9mm Hi-power or a .38 model 36 as assigned weapons. Many also had access to 9 mm Uzi's, too (that's another story). "Field" personnel got whatever they...

Just today I received a front sight from MidwayUSA in case I couldn't find a Trijicon. It is a S&W PN # 562515 and the label says it fits S&W 410, 457, 457D 909 and 910. The 410 and 457 (and these other models) use the same height front sight, but the rear sight height MAY be different...

Good luck finding Trijicons for the 457. Just today I talked to their customer service and was told that they will no longer make those night sights - which are really the only option if you want metal sights. However, while the 457 uses the SA28 model sight, the SA26 and SA27 will fit the...

I think he loved all 3d Gens, but IIRC, a 457 was his EDC and favorite, as is mine. I have two and I've always thought of him when I see them as I learned so much from him. RIP, friend.

I modified a number of Crimson Trace 5900 grips to fit other 3d gen models and the 6900 is the simplest. I'm not sure that it would be much simpler using the factory grips. Even after I figured out how to do it and had jigs for each operation it was still taking me >20 hours each to do the...

I think I'm that guy, so I'll save you asking. I'm not making any more of the converted grips, but it ain't rocket science, just kind of tedious. Most of the instructions are in several threads on this board - if not, ask and I'll try to give you an answer.

I've cleaned up a rusted 457 slide using a granite tile and sandpaper. The rust wasn't that deep, but it only took about an hour to do three sides. Doing only one side, that should clean up in an evening. I'd start about 180 grit until the dents disappear. Then either polish it using 300 and...

The freezer wasn't my idea, but I'm sure going to adopt it. The Loctite is a good idea, too. It is such a fine line between fitting and falling out that sometimes a little insurance is needed. I use the blue instead of the red so I do have the option of removing the sight with heat, though...

The sight dovetail on the 908 is different from any other 3d gen so the Trijicon's seems to be the only option on sights. My experience installing them is different in that I always remove material from the bottom of the sight. That material is harder than heck and difficult to work with a...

I know exactly what I'm referring to and so do the many, many other people on this forum who have successfully refinished their 3d gens either by beadblasting or chemical finishes. Feel free to add all the drama you want, but don't say you weren't warned. Make it as difficult as you please...

Ya'll might be over thinking this just a bit. Based on the 40 years I've been involved in aircraft maintenance - nearly all the aluminum parts on an aircraft are anodized - it really isn't a big deal. Anodizing – there are several types – is a very thin coating. Thinner even than the...

You don't seem to know what kind of finishes S&W used on their 3d gen pistols. We're not talking about any type of blueing, here, we're discussing reproducing the various factory finishes on the variety of materials used in these pistols. While S&W won't release details of their processes, it...

You can make it as difficult as you want - and charge as much as the traffic will bear - but the appropriate BC treatments will give you a finish identical to the factory finish. It really is THAT easy. Just because someone doesn't sell their services to the public doesn't mean they don't do...

The blue - actually a type of Parkerizing - 3d gens can be restored to like new appearance for the cost of a couple of bottles of Birchfield Casey products from MidwayUSA or Brownells. Not difficult to do and it is much cheaper and quicker than sending them to S&W.