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Cerokate job ruined my G43

29K views 73 replies 43 participants last post by  ccr  
#1 ·
Hi all. I'm a boot here so bear with me. Bought a G43. After 100 rounds, cleaned it and sent the frame out to be painted. Weapon operated fine, mags dropped ect.The frame was assembled when I mailed it out. When it came back the mags do not drop freely. Hit the mag release, the mag clicks loose but you have to pull the mag out. It's not difficult but we all know there's an issue. I bought a Vickers Tactical extended mag release and it's real tight going in so I didn't keep it in the frame.Did the frame shrink? I won't get into the company that did the work I am currently seeking action. My question is: what if anything, can I do to get my mags to drop? The weapon fires and fuctions. The magwell has cerakote but it doesn't appear to be thick. The frame does look good but obviously I can't carry it as a new backup duty gun. Sandpaper? Wool? Never had a pistol painted and I bought my 1st (of many) Glock in '99. The guy who did is arrogant and states he did nothing wrong. Thank you! Stay safe!
 
#2 ·
If you have paint in the well, it could cause what you're describing. With guns, thousandths of an inch mean something, and a couple mils of paint (thickness) may have been all that was needed to not let the mags drop free. they are light weight and the tab on the follower just doesn't go up into the slide stop lever enough to 'spring' them out.. All mine do spring out, but not with any authority. My PT 24/7 Pro's will pop a mag out holding the gun gangsta.
 
#5 ·
Cerakote is a fairly thin product when applied properly but the problem with mag wells is the presence of multiple interior walls. It adds up and may indeed cause interference.

I'd pull the internals, then take some fine steel wool and buff the walls of the mag well up a bit. It doesn't usually take a lot to get your mags dropping freely again.

Be sure to blow out all the dust thoroughly before re-assembly.
 
#6 ·
I don't know much about the process but why would the magazine well be coated? Shouldn't it had been masked off including the areas that the magazine release button is installed?
 
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#7 ·
if I'm not mistaken, the finish has to be heated to cure, heating a "plastic" frame could have distorted it, if that is the case, maybe a single wrap of tape around the mage, insert in the frame and heat with a heat gun/hair dryer, let cool and see if that helps?

sig357fan
 
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#9 ·
My guess is they heated the gun to cure the coating without putting a mag in it. This will distort the frame and give you the problem your having.

As mentioned above, heat the frame with a hair dry or heat gun. Insert a mag and let it cool back off. Reheat and check for fitment. It doesn't take much to put it back to the spec it needs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#10 ·
I cannot offer a solution, only can thank you for sharing the experience. What you have outlined has been my concern and prejudice since this type a modification has been offered.

The days prior to cerakoting when bluing and parkerizing were the only way to return product like new, shows my age and exposure. I believe that there are finishes today that meet or beat the oxidation process, but if a need arises I will leave the cerakoting to the younger adventurous collectors of today.
 
#11 ·
if I'm not mistaken, the finish has to be heated to cure, heating a "plastic" frame could have distorted it, if that is the case, maybe a single wrap of tape around the mage, insert in the frame and heat with a heat gun/hair dryer, let cool and see if that helps?

sig357fan
If the curing process was followed properly for curing on plastics which involves lower heat, distortion is highly unlikely. My guess would be the same as the poster above who mentioned cerakote in the magwell. A little cleaning up on the inside and the pistol should be fine.

Cerakote involves prepping the surface by cleaning thoroughly and mild scuffing, then spraying similar to the way a car is painted, followed by curing in an oven to completely dry and harden the coating. The curing process for metal is similar to that of plastic, just involved lower temperatures to prevent damage. Usually magwells and other internal surfaces are left untouched, however if overspray got in there or the magwell was sprayed, the added thickness could easily cause magazines to no longer drop free. Should be a very simple fix.
 
#12 ·
Try what Will said first, mine stuck for a while, range and carry use solved that, I believe its the mag(s) is all, many G-43 owners have had the same issue, some sent the mags back to Glock for newer ones. Do your mags have a #01 on the back?
Yes the there is a #01 on the back. But prior to the paint all mags dropped like steel mags. Thanks for the advice.
 
#13 ·
Thank you to everyone replying so far. Great advice, breaks my tunnel vision thought process. I removed some paint from the magwell and the mags will drop out freely without the mag release. When I put the catch spring and mag release back in, I have the same issue. Not sure if I should continue to march on the magwell or hit the mag release button area. I'm hesitant to heat the frame only because I'm not that talented. I'll try to get photobucket running for pics. Thanks all!
 
#14 ·
I would suggest just working the mags, if that doesn't work I would have the shop fix it, if it was working when you sent it in it should work the same when you receive it back, you really shouldn't have to do anything. my .02

I hope you get it fixed soon, please keep us posted.
 
#15 ·
Thank you to everyone replying so far. Great advice, breaks my tunnel vision thought process. I removed some paint from the magwell and the mags will drop out freely without the mag release. When I put the catch spring and mag release back in, I have the same issue. Not sure if I should continue to march on the magwell or hit the mag release button area. I'm hesitant to heat the frame only because I'm not that talented. I'll try to get photobucket running for pics. Thanks all!
I definitely would not heat it, that could make matters worse. Good luck on resolving this.
 
#20 ·
No.....lets get you started on it.....you mean you had a job done by someone who did not know what they were doing and now your upset at the results?

My (4) cerakoted pistols (slides) and my cerakoted AK (been coated 3 years now) look freaking fantastic with basically no finish wear......all of these guns get used every weekend

:)
 
#22 · (Edited)
No, you paid someone to paint your frame, and doing so created an issue.

Your pistol isn't "ruined", and it's no one's fault but yours. If you didn't consider this possibility, you should have.

And be a man about it and leave the person that Cerakoted your pistol alone. All he did is do what you asked for....what you paid him to do.
 
#23 ·
Tons of people get their frames cerakoted. There are (2) types of Cerakotes, one requires a bake and the other is air dry. I have had plenty of polymer parts cerakoted (Rifle furniture, mags, Glock mag plates, mag releases, etc) and all of them still look like they did on day 1.

Only reason I do not have a frame cerakoted is because my guy is out of state so mailing the serial numbered frame, and receiving it back, is far different then mailing a slide USPS priority.

In OP's case, it seems like a very simple fix to me. Cerakote adds thickness, sandpaper the inside of the magwell as prev suggested, take the mag release out and lightly sand the inside edges of the frame where the button sits. Everything will be functioning like normal within 20 minutes
 
#30 ·
A serialized frame mailed to a FFL holder can be shipped directly back to a non FFL holder by FedEx or UPS so long as you didn't have an FFL ship it USPS to them to cut shipping costs. No problem there, just costs more for shipping and you must be home upon delivery to sign. I have actually found that the line at my local FedEx facility has a much dmaller line than the post office, so the additional expense isn't a problem to both ensure delivery and allowing me to track my package the entire way.
 
#27 ·
If someone wants to color their frame, let them have at it. If one wears light colored clothing and undergarments, a light colored holster and firearm are harder to spot.

I don't really care to color my firearms, but to each his own. I view mine as tools, not show pieces. Others might feel otherwise.

I've seen some really bad cerakote finishes. Really poor. Not all are made equal. Try CCR for a good cerakote finish.
 
#29 · (Edited)
I wear 'Class A' uniform on the clock and bought a Cerakote grey Glock for pure pimp factor alone.
It NEEDS to look GOOOOOOD in the holster, and does. All eyes are on a uniformed badge already, they look at the gun second, if not first. Mine has character and class.

I have nothing but compliments and flawless perfection 1000 rounds in - from the Kentucky Gun Company. Whoever heard of a "beautiful Glock"? That's what my range master called it. He's seen a few...

There are a great many reasons to Cerakote a Glock. I anticipate creating a pattern of " holster wear" in my Cerakote.

Whatever. Truglo sights and the Glock blings. Different things are important to different people.