Stainless Steel?

P5 Guy · September 28, 2006, 09:33 PM

I have a SS Ruger GP100 with fixed sites that are hard for me to use because of glare. How can I darken the topstrap of this revolver and the rear site so I can see and aim it better?
Thanks for the helpful hints, P5

cntryboy1289 · September 29, 2006, 04:29 AM

you can use any of the various paints that are available for sights. Brownells has this available.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...aspx?p=1480&s=

CDH · September 29, 2006, 06:06 AM

"Sharpie" black permanent marker.
Easy to apply, dries to a flat finish, stays on through a lot of use, easy to remove if you want to and easy to reapply or touch up anytime.

About a buck$

Carter

P5 Guy · October 3, 2006, 10:12 PM

Sharpie didn't work very well on the glare problem, but did make the rear sight easier to use.
Can stainless steel be treated some how to blacken it? I know bluing and parkerizing are out.
Thanks for the ideas, P5

Dfariswheel · October 3, 2006, 11:52 PM

While there are methods of blackening stainless, I don't know of any that can do small areas.

On idea is to have the top strap and sight area bead blasted.
This gives the stainless a dull gray color that doesn't reflect light.
This is how most gun makers treat stainless pistols to cut glare.

If you go this route, be CERTAIN that the bead blast is either one that's used ONLY for stainless or aluminum, or is filled with ALL new blast media.

A blaster setup that's been used to blast carbon steel will blast tiny particles of carbon steel into the stainless and this will rust later, damaging the stainless.
DO NOT trust anyone's word on this, make sure the cabinet is stainless OK.

P5 Guy · October 5, 2006, 06:51 PM

Can I use glass beads for this, Dfariswheel?

cntryboy1289 · October 5, 2006, 07:00 PM

You can use glass beads or anyother bead you want as long as it is fresh beads or beads that have only been used for Stainless steel or aluminum.

Hunter Customs · October 5, 2006, 09:09 PM

All stainless steel guns can and will rust, some more so than others. The key factors in stainless used for guns is to make it free machining, it must have a certain amount of sulphur or selenium along with the chromium and carbon.
The most common corrosion resistant alloys used in guns is 416 or 417.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

September 28, 2006, 09:33 PM	#1
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Stainless Steel? I have a SS Ruger GP100 with fixed sites that are hard for me to use because of glare. How can I darken the topstrap of this revolver and the rear site so I can see and aim it better? Thanks for the helpful hints, P5

September 29, 2006, 04:29 AM	#2
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	sight paint you can use any of the various paints that are available for sights. Brownells has this available. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...aspx?p=1480&s=

October 5, 2006, 07:00 PM	#7
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	yes You can use glass beads or anyother bead you want as long as it is fresh beads or beads that have only been used for Stainless steel or aluminum.

September 29, 2006, 06:06 AM	#3
CDH Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 941	"Sharpie" black permanent marker. Easy to apply, dries to a flat finish, stays on through a lot of use, easy to remove if you want to and easy to reapply or touch up anytime. About a buck$ Carter

October 3, 2006, 10:12 PM	#4
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Sharpie didn't work very well on the glare problem, but did make the rear sight easier to use. Can stainless steel be treated some how to blacken it? I know bluing and parkerizing are out. Thanks for the ideas, P5

October 3, 2006, 11:52 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	While there are methods of blackening stainless, I don't know of any that can do small areas. On idea is to have the top strap and sight area bead blasted. This gives the stainless a dull gray color that doesn't reflect light. This is how most gun makers treat stainless pistols to cut glare. If you go this route, be CERTAIN that the bead blast is either one that's used ONLY for stainless or aluminum, or is filled with ALL new blast media. A blaster setup that's been used to blast carbon steel will blast tiny particles of carbon steel into the stainless and this will rust later, damaging the stainless. DO NOT trust anyone's word on this, make sure the cabinet is stainless OK.

October 5, 2006, 06:51 PM	#6
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Can I use glass beads for this, Dfariswheel?

October 5, 2006, 09:09 PM	#8
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	All stainless steel guns can and will rust, some more so than others. The key factors in stainless used for guns is to make it free machining, it must have a certain amount of sulphur or selenium along with the chromium and carbon. The most common corrosion resistant alloys used in guns is 416 or 417. Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com