Alloy grip frames

[keelbolts]

I've acquired a Single Six with a grip frame that looks tired. Has anybody here just stripped the existing finish and polished their grip frame? I've seen blued revolvers with chromed grip frames that are really good looking.

 

[WIL TERRY]

YES, MANY !!! And it looks just fine, thank you very much. I still prefer the aluminum gripframe as I see NO reason to haul around a steel gripframe and it's excess auvoirdupois that accomplishes nothing.
And so it goes..

 

[32shooter]

I stripped one some time ago. I believe it was Hondo that recommended using oven cleaner to strip the frame. Worked well for me.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Stripping of the grip frame has been done quite a bit. My only caveat is that if the gun is a rarer variation,,, it would lessen the value. While you can easily replace a grip frame,,, leaving the original one "as is" is an option best considered after you determine the value.

And if it's a common variation, and you do strip the g/f, often, folks strip the ejector rod housing as well to give themselves a "Pinto" look to the gun!

 

[Hondo44]

The only issue with a polished grip frame is that it no longer has the hard anodized coat, and will dent and scratch easier, but the good news is, it's simple to refinish because it has no finish. You can clear coat them to keep from tarnishing. But if you do strip it, I only recommend one of the bake on finishes like ceracote. easy to do in your oven when the wife's not home . Or have it powder coated locally which is what Ruger uses on current production.

And yes, I recommend the oven cleaner which works best to strip. The old dangerous kind, the new 'safer' kind does not work as well.