My Artistic Rust Blued 1911 - The "National Match"

Published on April 30, 2025
Duration: 14:47

This video details the process of applying a rust blue finish to a 1911 pistol, a less common but traditional method for firearm finishing. The presenter explains the science behind bluing as controlled rust, the steps involved in the rust bluing process (rusting, boiling, carding), and discusses the aesthetic outcomes and potential variations due to different steel alloys and surface preparations. The video also covers other cosmetic modifications and functional adjustments made to the pistol, including trigger pre-travel reduction.

Quick Summary

Rust bluing is a traditional firearm finishing process that involves intentionally rusting metal parts and then converting the red rust (ferric oxide) into a stable, black or blue ferrous oxide coating by boiling them in water. The appearance of the finish is heavily influenced by the surface preparation, with finer grits like 400 potentially yielding lighter colors, while highly polished surfaces may appear darker.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & New Finish
  2. 00:12Rust Bluing Process Explained
  3. 00:42Following Backyard Ballistics Guide
  4. 01:03The 'Pucker Factor' of Bluing
  5. 01:14Confidence in the Process
  6. 01:21Potential Reblueing
  7. 01:31Finish Outcome & Expectations
  8. 01:51Slide vs. Frame Color Differences
  9. 02:22Reason for Color Variation
  10. 02:45Happy with the Result
  11. 03:00Weathered Look & Retro Style
  12. 03:13Retro Hardball 1911 Build
  13. 03:17National Match 1911 Inspiration
  14. 03:33Unique, Not Replica
  15. 03:49Classic Car Analogy
  16. 03:59Cosmetic Modifications
  17. 04:01Sanding Surface Grinding Marks
  18. 04:36Sanding Sticks Technique
  19. 04:38Blending Grip Safety
  20. 04:55Grip Safety Finish Issue
  21. 05:10Hammer Finish
  22. 05:21Parts Not Blued Well
  23. 05:38Surface Finish & Rust Resistance
  24. 05:45Parts Not Rust Blued
  25. 05:54Barrel Ejection Port Finish
  26. 06:08Contrast with White Parts
  27. 06:13Contrast with Existing Finishes
  28. 06:33Dark Parts Contrast
  29. 06:44Military Mismatched Parts
  30. 07:03Visual Effect of Mixed Finishes
  31. 07:16Accidental Aesthetic
  32. 07:27Magazine Catch Issue
  33. 07:41Magwell Area Finish
  34. 07:50Front Sight Dovetail Contouring
  35. 08:12Touch-up with Cold Blue
  36. 08:23Channel Sponsor: Michael Scott Earl
  37. 09:07Functional Change: Trigger Pre-travel
  38. 09:17Spot Welding B-roll
  39. 09:27Pre-travel Definition
  40. 09:45Effect of Removing Pre-travel
  41. 09:53Methods to Reduce Pre-travel
  42. 10:07Follow-on Effect: Reset Length
  43. 10:27Trigger Reset Importance
  44. 10:41Measured Reset Length
  45. 10:47Achieving Short Reset
  46. 10:57Trigger Bars for Beretta 92
  47. 11:05Reasons for Disliking Trigger Bars
  48. 11:23Back to Topic: Trigger Adjustment
  49. 11:25Match Performance After Adjustment
  50. 11:30Slow Fire Target Scores
  51. 11:40Off Day for Slow Fire
  52. 11:57Weird Targets
  53. 12:10Pistol Accuracy Demonstration
  54. 12:19Accepting the Hold
  55. 12:35Overconfidence & Trigger Control
  56. 12:51Calling Shots in Bullseye
  57. 13:21Rapid & Timed Fire Scores
  58. 13:27First Clean Target
  59. 13:31Impact of Blood Lead Levels
  60. 13:39Preference for Trigger Position
  61. 13:46Performance Increase Attribution
  62. 13:46Rapid Fire String Under 90
  63. 13:57Solidly in the 90s
  64. 14:06New Personal Best Score
  65. 14:17Looks Great, Shoots Great
  66. 14:21Shooter Improvement Needed
  67. 14:23Other Build Videos
  68. 14:29Channel Members & Patreon
  69. 14:41Sponsor Thanks & Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rust bluing and how does it work on firearms?

Rust bluing is a traditional firearm finishing method where metal parts are intentionally rusted in a controlled environment. This red rust is then converted into a stable, black or blue ferrous oxide coating by boiling the parts in water. This process creates a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish that is essentially a controlled layer of rust.

How does surface preparation affect the rust bluing finish on a 1911?

Surface preparation significantly impacts rust bluing. Surfaces sanded to a finer grit like 400 can result in lighter colors such as gray or bronze, while highly polished surfaces might resist bluing more, appearing darker. The presenter noted differences between the slide and frame due to varying surface finishes and steel types.

What are the steps involved in the rust bluing process?

The rust bluing process involves applying a rust-inducing solution to clean parts, allowing them to rust, then boiling them in water to convert the rust. After boiling, the parts are 'carded' by gently rubbing with fine steel wool to remove loose rust and reveal the blued finish. This cycle is repeated until the desired depth of color is achieved, followed by an oil finish.

How can trigger pre-travel be adjusted on a 1911?

Trigger pre-travel on a 1911 is the distance from the trigger's reset to when the disconnector engages. It can be reduced by adding material, such as shim stock, to the back of the trigger bow. This effectively lengthens the trigger's reach before it contacts the disconnector, shortening the pull.

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