De-fanging Guns

frontlander · January 17, 2001, 01:56 AM

Howdy all. I have several guns, both rifles and handguns, that have nasty sharp little edges that seem to nip my hands when I am working them fast. This includes the trigger and lever loop on my Model 94 and the trigger and hammer on my SP101 Ruger. What is the proper method for smoothing sharp edges? Also, what is the proper method for narrowing and polishing a revolver trigger? I have a Model 29 Smith with the wide serrated target trigger that I would like to convert to a smooth, narrow trigger. Would I be better off just buying a smooth narrow trigger and swapping it out? Is this a drop-in procedure or is there fitting involved? Thanks in advance for all information.

George Stringer · January 17, 2001, 09:31 AM

Frontlander, as a whole rounding off of sharp edges or "dehorning" is done by polishing. Normally when polishing a firearm to be refinished the gunsmith takes great care to prevent corners from being rounded. Dehorning is simply polishing without trying to keep the corners sharp. The items you've mentioned could be done fairly easily with a 1" belt sander. I'd use a 400 grit for the defanging and maybe a 220 followed by a 400 for smoothing and narrowing the trigger. These jobs could also be done by hand using files and emery or crocus cloth it would just take longer. 99% of the time replacing any part on a firearm will require some fitting. George

TearsOfRage · January 18, 2001, 11:39 PM

That's one reason I like stainless steel guns. You can modify them without having to refinish them.

TOR

January 17, 2001, 01:56 AM	#1
frontlander Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2000 Posts: 101	Howdy all. I have several guns, both rifles and handguns, that have nasty sharp little edges that seem to nip my hands when I am working them fast. This includes the trigger and lever loop on my Model 94 and the trigger and hammer on my SP101 Ruger. What is the proper method for smoothing sharp edges? Also, what is the proper method for narrowing and polishing a revolver trigger? I have a Model 29 Smith with the wide serrated target trigger that I would like to convert to a smooth, narrow trigger. Would I be better off just buying a smooth narrow trigger and swapping it out? Is this a drop-in procedure or is there fitting involved? Thanks in advance for all information.

January 17, 2001, 09:31 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Frontlander, as a whole rounding off of sharp edges or "dehorning" is done by polishing. Normally when polishing a firearm to be refinished the gunsmith takes great care to prevent corners from being rounded. Dehorning is simply polishing without trying to keep the corners sharp. The items you've mentioned could be done fairly easily with a 1" belt sander. I'd use a 400 grit for the defanging and maybe a 220 followed by a 400 for smoothing and narrowing the trigger. These jobs could also be done by hand using files and emery or crocus cloth it would just take longer. 99% of the time replacing any part on a firearm will require some fitting. George

January 18, 2001, 11:39 PM	#3
TearsOfRage Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2000 Location: New Hampshire USA Posts: 205	That's one reason I like stainless steel guns. You can modify them without having to refinish them. TOR