To Robar or not to Robar

[red-beard]

That is the question:

I have a non-descript 1903/1908 in .380. It is an early type 4 with the magazine disconnect.

Finish is gone on the left side of the slide, and a little rough. It is not deep, so I think it could be polished away.

I don't see anything "collectible" about this one. I simply want to fix it up and protect it. Houston is humid and not exactly a good place to have unfinished metal. And if I refinish it, I'd rather be obvious than trying to have it re-blued or chromed.

I'm thinking of the Poly T2 in gunmetal gray with the NP3 Plus on the internal parts. Or just all NP3 Plus.

Thoughts?

NP3 Plus Firearm Finish | Robar Guns

[Jeff Higgins]

Good bluing is amazingly rust resistant. There - I just had to say that. So, that said, it's your gun and it needs help. Collectors be damned. Fix it up how you like it and have fun.

[red-beard]

I have a first year low serial number 1908 with basically no finish left. I wouldn't want to touch that one. The one pictured above I don't think has any collectability.

I think I will end up getting a collectors FFL. I want to start a JMB collection, starting with a Browning 1900. I'll start with the regular stuff, then start going for the weird stuff.

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I have a first year low serial number 1908 with basically no finish left. I wouldn't want to touch that one. The one pictured above I don't think has any collectability.

I think I will end up getting a collectors FFL. I want to start a JMB collection, starting with a Browning 1900. I'll start with the regular stuff, then start going for the weird stuff.

Sometimes you will run across a rare item at a reasonable price. Don't pass it up! Opportunities like that don't come often. Also, when searching the auction sites, etc for a new acquisition, don't limit your search to exactly the piece you are looking for. Sometimes, sellers will mislabel their items causing you to miss finding it. Good luck on your collecting!

[red-beard]

I'm pretty good at searching the sites. Oh, and by 1908 I mean the 1903 in .380 ACP. I sold my Vest Pocket many years ago. I guess I'll need to get another one.

[id10t]

A C&R is good for discounts at a few places so may be worth having anyway. If you do start a St John collection remind me - I may end up wanting to sell my 1964 Belgian short only SA22

[Rick Lee]

I've sent a lot of guns to Robar and they are right around the corner from me. NP3 is so awesome. I don't know how stiff your spring is, but NP3 can be kind of slippery and thus, on 1911s at least, make it a little tough to rack the slide back. I don't have any personal experience with that 1903/08. I have had to have them redo a carry gun where my sweat wore down the NP3. I must have a high pH level. They did it at no charge, no questions asked.

[Rick Lee]

BTW, check out their Roguard finish.

[red-beard]

I sent Robar pictures of the pistol so see estimate for polishing out the pitting. They only want $220 to have the Robar or Poly T2, plus NP3 plus on all of the internals.