Black Magazines for the PM series

[slowpoke]

WOW!
Thanks for posting this.

[TucsonMTB]

WOW!
Thanks for posting this.

Thanks for the kind words. Still, let's see how it works for Mr. Ol'coot. I believe he has ordered the same $20 stainless gel kit and seems dedicated enough to make it work.

If not, we will know that I just got lucky. Twice, so far.

Each time, degreasing with brake cleaner spray before blackening, using steel wool as part of the process of working the gel to get an even finish, and then using gun oil, to get the final color and protect the finish, seemed to be the keys to success.

I tried using their sealer, but was not impressed. I tried it without steel wool and got blotchy results. I tried cutting corners on cleaning and regretted it.

Now . . . watch Ol'coot or one of the next people to do this find some additional technique that will make it even better. I hope so.

[slowpoke]

I want someone to do there slide and post pics.
I'd like to black-out my Kahrs but I'm too chicken to be the first.

[Bawanna]

I want someone to do there slide and post pics.
I'd like to black-out my Kahrs but I'm too chicken to be the first.

I'd sent your slide off to Robar or Birdsong. That way you'd be assured of a long lasting and durable finish. I don't suspect this finish would be anywhere near durable enough for holster and carry abuse.

Robar has monthly special sometimes. If you sign up they send emails. Do it right, do it once and move on.

Not to say this isn't great stuff for a magazine, just the ticket for getting rid of that narrow little window of stainless between gun and mag base.

[TucsonMTB]

The black finish is not as durable as I thought. It does not show any handling marks, but you can see some wear from inserting it in the pistol during the process of shooting somewhat more than 200 rounds since this magazine was blackened.

[garyb]

Thanks for posting TucsonMTB. The wear you demonstrate seems minimal and hidden. I'd even consider blackening the base plate only and possibly a very small portion of the lower mag; only for concealment. Good info and thanks for sharing.

[TucsonMTB]

Thanks for posting TucsonMTB. The wear you demonstrate seems minimal and hidden. I'd even consider blackening the base plate only and possibly a very small portion of the lower mag; only for concealment. Good info and thanks for sharing.

My pleasure, sir!

I experimented with only blackening the base plate and the lower portion of the magazine tube about to the top of the writing on the side. It works fine for making the inserted magazine seem more like part of the polymer grip. But, the transition line to bright stainless turned out fuzzy/sloppy looking with the tape I used. Maybe it would be better if you used electrical tape or something more durable than the Magic Mending Tape I tried . . . Hey, it was just lying there on my bench . . .

Anyway, I thought it was kind of half way ugly, so on the second pass I treated the whole magazine instead. YMMV and I won't criticize your results.

[kenduc999]

I ordered a kit after seeing your awesome results! its not on my MK9, but it looks super nice! hint: its my barrel

BEFORE:


AFTER:






Thanks for the instruction!!

[TucsonMTB]

Mall Ninja PM40



The Caswell stainless blackening kit seems to work on most of the stainless steel Kahr parts.

Got to playing around today after cleaning. Blackened the extractor and barrel hood on my DLC finished PM40.

Not sure how well it will stand up to use. Based on the magazine wear, probably only "fair".

[getsome]

Hi tucsonMTB, Thanks for your very detailed post...I'm going to order a stainless blackening gel kit to do my PM40 mags and even if I have to do them over every so often the results look very nice...The silver mags in my DLC finished gun is the only thing I don't like so I'm going to give it a try and hope my results look as nice as yours....

One dumb question if I may....Did you disassemble the mags before the process of just leave everything together?...I took one of my previous CW40 mags apart and liked to never got the thing back together, you almost need 4 hands...So far all my mags have worked well and I just spray them out with electronic cleaner when I clean the gun...Thanks again for your post!!!

[TucsonMTB]

Hi tucsonMTB, Thanks for your very detailed post...I'm going to order a stainless blackening gel kit to do my PM40 mags and even if I have to do them over every so often the results look very nice...The silver mags in my DLC finished gun is the only thing I don't like so I'm going to give it a try and hope my results look as nice as yours....

One dumb question if I may....Did you disassemble the mags before the process of just leave everything together?...I took one of my previous CW40 mags apart and liked to never got the thing back together, you almost need 4 hands...So far all my mags have worked well and I just spray them out with electronic cleaner when I clean the gun...Thanks again for your post!!!

Thanks for the kind words, Getsome!

Yes, it is much easier to clean the parts before and after the process if you disassemble the magazines first. Disassembly gets easier with a little practice, honest.

For touch-up, you can leave them assembled, but even that might be easier to do to individual pieces. Those little crooks and crannies where the base slides on are tough.

[stumprat]

I do mine with a black marker. Easy touch up too.

[TucsonMTB]

I do mine with a black marker. Easy touch up too.

Looks nice. Does it transfer to clothing? How does it stand up to lubricants and cleaners?

[stumprat]

Hasn't transfered yet. And I don't use any cleaners or solvents on the mag bases.

[TucsonMTB]

Hasn't transfered yet. And I don't use any cleaners or solvents on the mag bases.

Cool! I will try it as a final coat on one of my black magazines. I like the color that Magic Markers provide but not enough to have it become part of my trousers when pocket carrying.