Anyone used Tripp Research for Coating?

[nak]

Hey guys,
Well I'm not too sure if I want to get the Hard Chrome now. I have a Duo-tone XD 9 and just had adjustable night sights installed, and the smith put some huge scratces on the slide along the front dove tail.

To get rid of those scratches is the only reason I would consider getting HC. I'd be willing to pay up to $200 for just the slide, if I could get a gaurentee of a superior finish.

If I get it coated, and the damage is put right back on when they put the sights back on, then its worthless for me to drop that kind of cash on a purely aesthetic upgrade(aesthetic for me anyway).

Is that kind of damage expected when putting on sights? Or is it possible to put sights on a gun with out destroying the finnish around the dove tail slot?
Thanks for the info guys,
andy

[shipwreck]

A refinisher can put the sites back on w/o scratching it - don't let that stop U.

Whatever finish U get.

[kraigster414]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

Well, U missed my post on page 1 - I too am not happy w/ Tripp...

All you said on page 1 was that they "screwed up" and the QC wasn't up to snuff. What exactly did they do wrong??

[shipwreck]

Originally Posted by kraigster414

All you said on page 1 was that they "screwed up" and the QC wasn't up to snuff. What exactly did they do wrong??

Cobra coat has bumps in it. Hard chrome has copper colored marks over several items on the 1911. I also told him ahead of time to leave the bushing and barrel stainless - NOT to hard chrome it. I called ahead of time, and was told to put it in my note. I did that as well.

When I got it back, what happened? They hard chromed both despite me asking them not to. The reason I said not to was because the bushing was already tight to the slide. When it came back, the bushing was so much tighter that it took me 35 min to get it apart. In addition, THEY put an idiot mark on the frame (1911 guys know what an "idiot" mark is) - it was there when I took it out.

Sent the messed up hard chromed parts back, along w/ the cobra coated slide. Took about 6 weeks to get it back that time. When it came back, the slide still looked crappy - the cobra coat had splattering. The small parts still weren't perfect (had copper colored marks on them) - the thumb safety and bushing. The sights were kinda messed up from taking them off the slide more than once. And, he forgot to send me back the cap to the guiderod.

At the range, the sights were no longer as flush with the slide, so it didn't shoot as accurately. All this to a $1200 TRP. I still wasn't satisfied, but after a total of 8 weeks (2 originally, and 6 more), and giving him a 2nd chance, I was pretty much fed up.

My last P99 also has 3 small areas of mess ups on the hard chrome - they are small enough that I didn't feel like sending it back to him. But, there seems to be a degradation of his quality control. Neither item should have been sent out. Does someone not look at the guns when they are done?

THAT's my story...

[kraigster414]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

Cobra coat has bumps in it. Hard chrome has copper colored marks over several items on the 1911. I also told him ahead of time to leave the bushing and barrel stainless - NOT to hard chrome it. I called ahead of time, and was told to put it in my note. I did that as well.

When I got it back, what happened? They hard chromed both despite me asking them not to. The reason I said not to was because the bushing was already tight to the slide. When it came back, the bushing was so much tighter that it took me 35 min to get it apart. In addition, THEY put an idiot mark on the frame (1911 guys know what an "idiot" mark is) - it was there when I took it out.

Sent the messed up hard chromed parts back, along w/ the cobra coated slide. Took about 6 weeks to get it back that time. When it came back, the slide still looked crappy - the cobra coat had splattering. The small parts still weren't perfect (had copper colored marks on them) - the thumb safety and bushing. The sights were kinda messed up from taking them off the slide more than once. And, he forgot to send me back the cap to the guiderod.

At the range, the sights were no longer as flush with the slide, so it didn't shoot as accurately. All this to a $1200 TRP. I still wasn't satisfied, but after a total of 8 weeks (2 originally, and 6 more), and giving him a 2nd chance, I was pretty much fed up.

My last P99 also has 3 small areas of mess ups on the hard chrome - they are small enough that I didn't feel like sending it back to him. But, there seems to be a degradation of his quality control. Neither item should have been sent out. Does someone not look at the guns when they are done?

THAT's my story...

That's a helluva story and a helluva surprise! This is the first major negative I have heard involving Tripp. It's easy to say that "stuff happens" but when you are the "stuffee" it ain't a happy experience, I understand your feelings. Personally, though I have no way to quantify, I think your experience is the exception rather than the rule. I sure hope so. I have had two slides Cobra Coated by Tripp and they came out beautiful. Service was fast, professional and I had/have zero complaints.

Thank you for elaborating and sharing your tale of woe. Sorry to hear it. S--t has fallen on me too on occassion so I know the feeling. Hopefully, everything has been resolved and you are again enjoying your 1911 - as it should be.

[shipwreck]

Well, I took a hell of a loss when I got rid of that TRP - especially with the cost of the hard chrome. I was just too irritated to keep it.

I was going to hard chrome my USP compact slide. But, I don't think I could go w/ Tripp again. 2 out of 4 items were messed up - 1 of which was REALLY bad.

[HTOWN stunna]

I have no complaints on my slide one of my friends ,who happens to be virgils stepson, did the hard chrome on it. dropped it on the side walk a while back and the finish wasnt affected