Silver solder to fill-in dings ?

[Katy]

I have a blemish on my 686. It's a small divot/ding that's located at the top of the backstrap where the factory grooves end.
It's about 1/32 inch deep. Like it was struck by a center punch.
Can this divot be filled in with silver solder and then dressed to blend in ?
Brownells has a silver solder that matches stainless steel.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Katy]

I have a blemish on my 686. It's a small divot/ding that's located at the top of the backstrap where the factory grooves end.
It's about 1/32 inch deep. Like it was struck by a center punch.
Can this divot be filled in with silver solder and then dressed to blend in ?
Brownells has a silver solder that matches stainless steel.

Thanks in advance.

 

[john traveler]

Most "silver solders" I am familiar with produce a yellow, brassy, or coperrish cast. IF it is indeed a silver solder, and IF it indeed can be used on the stainless steel frame, and if you are willing to risk warping the frame, why not?

Be prepared to have access to a MAPP torch at the minimum. An oxyacetylene torch is better. You will need to strip the frame completely, as the heat will draw the temper from springs and small parts. For that mtter, too slow heating of the backstrap will draw the heat treat from the frame. On second thought, I would advise against the project.

 

[Katy]

Yow, you're right.

I thought the heat used to melt the silver solder was very low.

 

[Katy]

John,
Re-send your email to me.
I didn't recognize you at first and thought it might be someone sending a virus so I deleted it without opening.

 

[john traveler]

Nah. Brazing and silver soldering needs around 900 to 1000degrees F. Carbon steel will glow red at that temperature.

Soft solders need about 700-800 degrees for bismuth/tin mixtures to less than 300 degrees for eutectic 63% tin/37% lead alloys.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

If you know someone that can tig weld could fix it with no problem. He just needs to do it slow -slow.

 

[dant]

you say the gun is a 686 ,so that means no need for any welding or silver solder...just a good ,keen eye, a set of files and some buffing polish....lots of material back there to work with and its the 'same' color , all the way through.......we've removed dings far worse than that , in stainless guns...if it was blue, another story as it would be hard to 'match' the factory blue.