Cleaning up a Walther LP53?

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

I have noticed that many of these guns show more wear on the barrel than anywhere else.

Most of the time the wear is acceptable.

However when a barrel is badly worn with scratches and little remaining finish, is there anything that can be done to clean them up? I know the outer barrel is aluminium.

Do any of the black aluminium finishes work, or does that barrel need specialist treatment - anodysing of specialised coating?

I'd appreciate owner's and ex-owner's views.

[Troubledshooter]

In the past, I've always used a good etching primer spray followed by Acrylic satin black spray, both available from Halfords. (other suppliers may be available)

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[zooma]

LP53 pistols that have been used with the genuine Walther barrel weight also show a pair of "tram lines" down the barrel where the clamp has been slid on and off.

I have a really nice shooting brown handled LP53 that has these tram lines on the barrel as it was shot with the weight attached for many years.

The barrel of any LP53 pistol that has marks like this can also be easily reconditioned using the method described above and a similar treatment of the barrel weight can return that to a nice matching condition at the same time.

..but when the weight is used again the tram lines don't take long to reappear !

[vbull]

If it's really bad have the barrel shroud Duracoated in satin black. I had one done last year and it turned out great.

[zooma]

If it's really bad have the barrel shroud Duracoated in satin black. I had one done last year and it turned out great.

Do you know a good place to get that done?

[Farsight]

Just done mine with a couple of thin coats of spray satin black and it really doesn't look bad ! The metal is some zinc alloy,and will take a bluish finish with Birchwood Casey cream if you are patient -one of mine did anyway about thirty years ago ! Just don't expect it to last long if it gets much handling. Just by the way, some bits I have found dodgy on these : Broken top part of trigger (that separate "triangular" bit),broken mainspring, broken rear sight leafspring, broken -out slot in rearsight, cracks in barrel by the cocking link pin (which also like to work they're way out unexpectedly). Still lovely little guns that look and perform very well though !

Mark

[hebhaggis]

The barrel on my own was so heavily coated in lacquer the id info was obliterated . I removed all as it was flaking in chunks . I have used some old generic blue solution ( unbranded haematite solution ) and was happy with the results - soaked up into the ally surface a treat and gave an aged patina to it .

Has anyone seen these Barrels- selling as spares ?
I once was sent an image of the usual normal length version and also a SHORT barrel .

[vbull]

Riflecraft.

[zooma]

Riflecraft.

Thanks !

[gingernut]

I left my barrel unit stripped and polished.
So I have a nice two tone pistol.
Which can be painted when I can be bothered.

And before you start its my pistol!

[zooma]

I left my barrel unit stripped and polished.
So I have a nice two tone pistol.
Which can be painted when I can be bothered.

And before you start its my pistol!

Well done!

I might do the same with mine until I am ready to get it painted or coated and it needs a nicely polished barrrel before colouring it in any case

[gingernut]

When I bought mine in its lovely blue lined case I gave it an oily rag wipedown and most of the paint on the barrel came off!

The barrel unit was easy to strip and polish and I realised it looked rather smart.

I can paint it prior to a sale but I doubt its going anywhere for a while.

Also have two more in black.

I like the design and quality and quirky shooting.

[gingernut]

The barrel on my own was so heavily coated in lacquer the id info was obliterated . I removed all as it was flaking in chunks . I have used some old generic blue solution ( unbranded haematite solution ) and was happy with the results - soaked up into the ally surface a treat and gave an aged patina to it .

Has anyone seen these Barrels- selling as spares ?
I once was sent an image of the usual normal length version and also a SHORT barrel .

That is a Kurtz I think.
Easy to do if you take a hacksaw to the blunt end of the barrel.
Bugger to cock I guess.
Dont think it was a factory option?

Hows the Horseradish?