Colt...sigh!

[Acmemfg]

After a month of sitting in Connecticut I finally got my Colt Delta Elite. Trip to the range confirmed all works ok. Tight enough groupings (shoots low though, but I can live with that), however I wasn't expecting this.....

There was no mention of any kind of scratched slide on the inspection report I received from Colt when they first got it.
.....and WHAT is up with the machining flash on the bottom of the slide? How are they letting this stuff get out of the factory??
Can't wait to see what they say about this.....
One thing, it ain't going back to Colt. I'll put a 12k grit stone on the slide bottom; scratches maybe I can buff out.....egad! CZ better get on board here and soon.

 

[jar_]

Actually, I'd say that was a sign CZ was already making significant progress on returning QC to the acceptable range.

 

[nikonNUT]

Might be able to dress up the slide flank with the appropriately course scotch brite pad but it might clean up with an application of a suitable gun cleaner. It reall doesn't look like scratches as much as something that rubbed off on the gun. Think brass kisses but black. The marks on the frame? That is some world class cutter deflection/chatter right there! At least you can't see it when the gun is assembled.

 

[Kentos]

I know “guns are tools” and “made to be used” and even “battle worn is cool”.

That being said I would be miffed with that kind of finish on a 1000+ plus firearm. That frame passing QC is kinda sad.

 

[ColtRevolver]

Try a pencil eraser on those marks or even better a white ink eraser.

 

[Acmemfg]

Thinking the mess on the frame should smooth out with a 1200 grit DMT or similar stone. I’ll certainly give the eraser a shot. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Mlee]

I had a COLT stainless Government model that had a pretty deep idiot mark that the previous owner put on it. I got it out fairly easy using 320 wet dry sand paper then 220. You don't have to apply very much pressure and make sure you go in only one direction. If you use 1200 grit, it will be too smooth. Here's a picture of what I used.

 

[Kentos]

I was going to suggest researching the grit of sandpaper that would replicate that brushes finish, but it looks maybe surface ground.

I would bet a half box of .45 that a solvent would take that off if you can’t feel the scratches with your fingernail.

 

[Legion]

Where did you get the pistol from? Those kind of scratches on the side are consistent with the "shelf wear" items can, and do pick up when they are in a cabinet in a store. It may be a former display model?

 

[jar_]

Back in the 1980s I bought two new Colt firearms. One was a 1911 Series 80 that simply never ran reliably even after three return visit to the Mother Ship. The other was a Detective Special. The latter was as fabulously reliable as the former was unreliable.


One is still with me.

In a Low Alessi semi retention holster: (You could pull through the snap)

and a newer Privateer Leather Maurader IWB holster:

The Series 80 was an example of Colt "Improving on what was known to work" while the DS was Colt pretty much not trying to "Improve on what was known to work" and just playing with esthetics on a 1927 design.

 

[Herrenberg]

I must have missed a memo. CZ bought Colt? I knew they bought Dan Wesson, but I hadn't heard that.

I love my Shadow 2, but I hear CZ's customer service is chaos these days. With any luck, it will all settle down.

 

[Rob72]

I must have missed a memo. CZ bought Colt? I knew they bought Dan Wesson, but I hadn't heard that.

I love my Shadow 2, but I hear CZ's customer service is chaos these days. With any luck, it will all settle down.

Still better than HK.

"Buy our wares. Because we are HK. And we hate you. And you are a worm."