How do you polish the feed ramp?

mossie3 · April 11, 2006, 08:41 PM

I've heard it would make feeding more reliable. Any advise on how to do it?

Magyar · April 11, 2006, 08:53 PM

You might look at this to give you an idea of what's involved.
http://www.recguns.com/Sources/XK2.html

Personally, I use aluminum oxide, a lapidary compound that I use in polishing silver, turquoise, etc.. with a small, cylindrical buffing wheel...Don't over do it!

shooter_john · April 12, 2006, 12:05 AM

VERY CAREFULLY, polish it with the little white Dremel polishing pads and some polishing compound. That is my preferred method.
But always remeber, Dremel tools have ruined a lot of guns.

snolden · April 12, 2006, 07:59 PM

I start with a pencil and use the eraser end. I stick the pencil in my cordless drill and just buff it out. Made my taurus take most hollow points that way.

mete · April 12, 2006, 08:21 PM

Forget the Dremel , do it by hand. Anything more than 400 grit is just for show . Use a dowel, wrap a bit of 400 grit abrasive paper around it and carefully in and out [in the direction of the barrel ] to remove machining marks without changing the shape of the ramp.

Socrates · April 12, 2006, 08:43 PM

500 rounds of ball ammo???
S
PS or, prior to firing, take the gun to your local Gunsmith, and let him work his majik...

WRINCHSLINGER001 · April 12, 2006, 08:55 PM

I think that unless you have done work like this before and are really familiar with firearm mechanics you should shoot about 300 rds. of ball ammo in it or carry it to someone whom has polished before.
I say this in aggreance because I myself ruined a pistol before mastering the art of polishing.
If you stray and decide to try it anyway, remeber don't make it pretty. Make it smooth and thats it. I would definately say to stay away from the dremel. I like the 400 grit sandpaper idea. Hope this is of some help.

**44 AMP** · April 12, 2006, 10:23 PM

using a dremel it is easy to go to far, without even realizing it. Best bet, take it to a smith. If you gun is feeding ok right now, don't bother. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Make sure the gun is fully "broken in", and running reliable with ball ammo. Then clean, lube, and start with the hollow points you wish to use. If you have feeding problems, try a different brand of ammo before you start working on the gun. Some guns have tool marks on the feed ramp, and still feed just fine. Some guns have smooth looking ramps, and won't feed certain bullet styles. try everything before you start tinkering with the gun, and if you do start tinkering, stay away from powere tools, unless you want to buy another barrel (or even a whole new gun

)

kymasabe · April 12, 2006, 10:27 PM

Personally, I've polished feedramps with a Dremel before and as long as you use the soft, white, polishing pads, you can't screw it up. A couple of my Kel-Tecs needed some ramp work and while using 400 or 600 grit sandpaper improved feeding on one, the polishing was the final touch that made a difference. But, do it however you're comfortable...by hand is probably best...but I prefer the Dremel.

WRINCHSLINGER001 · April 12, 2006, 11:49 PM

I would have to disagree with the last post, I have an apprenticeship in gunsmithing and have worked under one for quite some time. I screwed a pistol right up with a dremel doing this same exersise. If you take 0.001 of an inch off thats not suppose to be taken off, you'll have problems!
I was using the soft white polishing wheel when I made my mistake. It can be done.
Not trying to start some big argument, but I hate to see anybody ruin a good firearm.

Bill DeShivs · April 13, 2006, 03:09 AM

Dremels have probably ruined more guns and knives than any tool. A Dremel does not make you a gunsmith. Take your gun to one if you have feeding problems. Dremels can be wonderful tools, but you have to know what you are doing.
Bill

Rainbow Six · April 13, 2006, 06:14 AM

I've gotta go with the reply that said if it's not broke, don't fix it. Unless you're having problems with feeding, just say no to the dremel.

If you're having feeding problems take it to a qualified 'smith...

If you simply must fug with it, I'd suggest a super light rubbing with 400 grit paper as recommended by mete above. Do not put the dremel on it though, unless you're willing to ruin it.

Hunter Customs · April 13, 2006, 07:17 AM

Is the gun having feed problems with the ammo you are wanting to use?
What type of gun is it?
If the gun is having feed problems there's several things that can contribute to this besides the feed ramp.
For polishing I use a brass round and fine grit paper.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

nefshooter · April 13, 2006, 07:49 AM

I use the Dremel and flitz compound on all my trigger work i have had 0 problems. KBI 9mmhp feed ramp shoots what ever ammo i feed it.

whitebb · April 13, 2006, 08:51 AM

Is it possible that some dremel users decide to polish at 10,000 rpm? I have dremel'd feed ramps with jewelers rouge and never had a problem. Of course I used the slowest speed. If in doubt about your ability, do it by hand! (which takes awhile, but works just as well)

Edward429451 · April 13, 2006, 10:03 AM

^Agreed. Some of those dremel owners may not have read the destruction manual and what it says about polishing...

hikingman · April 13, 2006, 11:06 AM

Okay, so my dremel tool was not used, the q-tips came out of the bathroom and by pressing down on the ramp/throat with the slide back (still installed) and accessed through the ejection port. First, dipped the q-tip in Flitz, and with cotton patches around the area to catch Flitz runoff, rubbed hard on the ramp and throat areas for about 5-6 minutes, while using multiple q-tips in the process and more Flitz. Afterwards, throroughly remove any residue with cotton patches, and clean q-tips, apply gun oil, or break-free, and then remove any residue from that.

She has ramped flawlessly with 470 rounds fired, I'm a believer. The dremel method is well worth considering, too. My handheld Dremel stayed in the drawer, and has two settings: 6,000 and 12,000 rpm and the low speed keeps my dog's nails groomed!

HankC1 · April 13, 2006, 11:13 AM

What if the feed ramp is chromed? Polishing chromed feed ramp would do anything or just make it worse by removing the chrome?

edit to add: I think my ARCUS barrel is hard chromed as a whole including the feed ramp.

mete · April 13, 2006, 12:09 PM

Plating will be removed by polishing ! Plating is thin and any more than the slightest polishing will remove it. If you are going to have your gun plated all alteration such as polishing feed ramps, chamfering sharp corners etc ,should be done before the plating.

Brian Williams · April 14, 2006, 01:00 PM

To polish my feed ramps I shoot the stuffing out of it. After about 1500 rounds it should be just fine....

jailbait · April 17, 2006, 08:10 PM

my boss and i use crest tooth paste and a dremel. i have serious doubt about "removing" any metal when all you are doing is buffing it. there again, i'm just starting to learn about smithing.

leckie66 · April 21, 2006, 09:22 AM

unless theirs a problem leave it alone,,metalworking is an art and when inproperly done sticks out like a sore thumb to the trained eye and will devalue your firearm,,,shine is not the sign of good metalworking and unless you had experience at it give it to a good pistolsmith

April 11, 2006, 08:41 PM	#1
mossie3 Junior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Posts: 10	How do you polish the feed ramp? I've heard it would make feeding more reliable. Any advise on how to do it?

April 11, 2006, 08:53 PM	#2
Magyar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,581	You might look at this to give you an idea of what's involved. http://www.recguns.com/Sources/XK2.html Personally, I use aluminum oxide, a lapidary compound that I use in polishing silver, turquoise, etc.. with a small, cylindrical buffing wheel...Don't over do it! __________________ *"Gun companies and gun magazines have long had relationships beyond cozy" C.J. Chivers, author "THE GUN"*

April 12, 2006, 12:05 AM	#3
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	Dremel Tool VERY CAREFULLY, polish it with the little white Dremel polishing pads and some polishing compound. That is my preferred method. But always remeber, Dremel tools have ruined a lot of guns. __________________ TROTAC.com

April 12, 2006, 08:55 PM	#7
WRINCHSLINGER001 Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 86	Strongly Agreeing With Socrates I think that unless you have done work like this before and are really familiar with firearm mechanics you should shoot about 300 rds. of ball ammo in it or carry it to someone whom has polished before. I say this in aggreance because I myself ruined a pistol before mastering the art of polishing. If you stray and decide to try it anyway, remeber don't make it pretty. Make it smooth and thats it. I would definately say to stay away from the dremel. I like the 400 grit sandpaper idea. Hope this is of some help.

April 12, 2006, 10:23 PM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,791	beware power tools using a dremel it is easy to go to far, without even realizing it. Best bet, take it to a smith. If you gun is feeding ok right now, don't bother. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Make sure the gun is fully "broken in", and running reliable with ball ammo. Then clean, lube, and start with the hollow points you wish to use. If you have feeding problems, try a different brand of ammo before you start working on the gun. Some guns have tool marks on the feed ramp, and still feed just fine. Some guns have smooth looking ramps, and won't feed certain bullet styles. try everything before you start tinkering with the gun, and if you do start tinkering, stay away from powere tools, unless you want to buy another barrel (or even a whole new gun )

April 12, 2006, 07:59 PM	#4
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	I start with a pencil and use the eraser end. I stick the pencil in my cordless drill and just buff it out. Made my taurus take most hollow points that way.

April 12, 2006, 08:21 PM	#5
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Forget the Dremel , do it by hand. Anything more than 400 grit is just for show . Use a dowel, wrap a bit of 400 grit abrasive paper around it and carefully in and out [in the direction of the barrel ] to remove machining marks without changing the shape of the ramp.

April 12, 2006, 08:43 PM	#6
Socrates Junior member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: East Bay NorCal, People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 5,866	500 rounds of ball ammo??? S PS or, prior to firing, take the gun to your local Gunsmith, and let him work his majik...

April 12, 2006, 10:27 PM	#9
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Me likes me Dremel. Personally, I've polished feedramps with a Dremel before and as long as you use the soft, white, polishing pads, you can't screw it up. A couple of my Kel-Tecs needed some ramp work and while using 400 or 600 grit sandpaper improved feeding on one, the polishing was the final touch that made a difference. But, do it however you're comfortable...by hand is probably best...but I prefer the Dremel. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all. Last edited by kymasabe; April 13, 2006 at 05:55 AM.

April 12, 2006, 11:49 PM	#10
WRINCHSLINGER001 Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 86	I would have to disagree with the last post, I have an apprenticeship in gunsmithing and have worked under one for quite some time. I screwed a pistol right up with a dremel doing this same exersise. If you take 0.001 of an inch off thats not suppose to be taken off, you'll have problems! I was using the soft white polishing wheel when I made my mistake. It can be done. Not trying to start some big argument, but I hate to see anybody ruin a good firearm.

April 13, 2006, 03:09 AM	#11
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,978	Dremels have probably ruined more guns and knives than any tool. A Dremel does not make you a gunsmith. Take your gun to one if you have feeding problems. Dremels can be wonderful tools, but you have to know what you are doing. Bill

April 13, 2006, 06:14 AM	#12
Rainbow Six Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2000 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 1,314	I've gotta go with the reply that said if it's not broke, don't fix it. Unless you're having problems with feeding, just say no to the dremel. If you're having feeding problems take it to a qualified 'smith... If you simply must fug with it, I'd suggest a super light rubbing with 400 grit paper as recommended by mete above. Do not put the dremel on it though, unless you're willing to ruin it. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum... "An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -Jeff Cooper

April 13, 2006, 07:17 AM	#13
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	Is the gun having feed problems with the ammo you are wanting to use? What type of gun is it? If the gun is having feed problems there's several things that can contribute to this besides the feed ramp. For polishing I use a brass round and fine grit paper. Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

April 13, 2006, 07:49 AM	#14
nefshooter Member Join Date: January 6, 2006 Posts: 46	I use the Dremel and flitz compound on all my trigger work i have had 0 problems. KBI 9mmhp feed ramp shoots what ever ammo i feed it.

April 13, 2006, 08:51 AM	#15
whitebb Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2006 Location: ga Posts: 313	Is it possible that some dremel users decide to polish at 10,000 rpm? I have dremel'd feed ramps with jewelers rouge and never had a problem. Of course I used the slowest speed. If in doubt about your ability, do it by hand! (which takes awhile, but works just as well)

April 13, 2006, 10:03 AM	#16
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	^Agreed. Some of those dremel owners may not have read the destruction manual and what it says about polishing...

April 13, 2006, 11:06 AM	#17
hikingman Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 301	Polish the Ramp Okay, so my dremel tool was not used, the q-tips came out of the bathroom and by pressing down on the ramp/throat with the slide back (still installed) and accessed through the ejection port. First, dipped the q-tip in Flitz, and with cotton patches around the area to catch Flitz runoff, rubbed hard on the ramp and throat areas for about 5-6 minutes, while using multiple q-tips in the process and more Flitz. Afterwards, throroughly remove any residue with cotton patches, and clean q-tips, apply gun oil, or break-free, and then remove any residue from that. She has ramped flawlessly with 470 rounds fired, I'm a believer. The dremel method is well worth considering, too. My handheld Dremel stayed in the drawer, and has two settings: 6,000 and 12,000 rpm and the low speed keeps my dog's nails groomed!

April 13, 2006, 11:13 AM	#18
HankC1 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 531	What if the feed ramp is chromed? Polishing chromed feed ramp would do anything or just make it worse by removing the chrome? edit to add: I think my ARCUS barrel is hard chromed as a whole including the feed ramp. Last edited by HankC1; April 13, 2006 at 07:56 PM.

April 13, 2006, 12:09 PM	#19
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Plating will be removed by polishing ! Plating is thin and any more than the slightest polishing will remove it. If you are going to have your gun plated all alteration such as polishing feed ramps, chamfering sharp corners etc ,should be done before the plating.

April 14, 2006, 01:00 PM	#20
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	To polish my feed ramps I shoot the stuffing out of it. After about 1500 rounds it should be just fine.... __________________ Brian <><

April 17, 2006, 08:10 PM	#21
jailbait Junior member Join Date: July 6, 2004 Posts: 190	my boss and i use crest tooth paste and a dremel. i have serious doubt about "removing" any metal when all you are doing is buffing it. there again, i'm just starting to learn about smithing.

April 21, 2006, 09:22 AM	#22
leckie66 Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Posts: 20	unless theirs a problem leave it alone,,metalworking is an art and when inproperly done sticks out like a sore thumb to the trained eye and will devalue your firearm,,,shine is not the sign of good metalworking and unless you had experience at it give it to a good pistolsmith

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