Latest restoration project compact Massada

[barrelproofdrinker88]

Before and after paint stripping, phosphate removal and sanding to 320 grit


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[mrcabinet]

You're off to a great start! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I just finished rust bluing a surplus Hi Power yesterday, so I sympathize with how your fingers feel.

[M1A4ME]

OP, glad to see your project getting started.

We used to have more of that going on here.  Not sure why it dropped off like it did.  Probably lost some of the members who made a hobby of it and maybe the supply of used/surplus CZ's coming into the states has dropped off.

It was always neat to see how people tackled a problem and how their solutions worked out.  Fun to learn/see what others would do to get something fixed - and nice to see a hard used/not taken care of pistol taken care off and fixed up again.

[barrelproofdrinker88]

It’s been fun, I think this is my sixth one.  Too bad surplus prices are so high, I think it discourages a lot of folks, myself included - got nothing else lined up after this.


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[mrcabinet]

Sadly, the days of cheap surplus CZs, or any firearm for that matter, are long gone. It wasn't that long ago that I could have my choice out of a crate of Mosins for $109.00. I paid $200 otd for my first 75 compact six years ago, which made it worth it to restore and upgrade it. This new reality is why I've broadened my horizons when it come to project guns. I love CZs, but there's other fun toys out there too.

[M1A4ME]

I guess it would make more sense if you had a specific upgrade project in mind and buying a used CZ was cheaper than buying a new one and replacing new parts and getting a new pistol refinished.

[barrelproofdrinker88]

Round 1 after rusting, then boil/card.  For the rust, I diluted Laurel mountain solution about 1:1 with distilled water. 

The uneven rusting you can see on the slide will go away with further rounds, I’ve learned not to worry about that.

[sevt_chevelle]

How deep is that importer  mark, id remove that real quick.

The problem with projects like this is the price of surplus CZ pistols is darn near the price of new ones.

[barrelproofdrinker88]

Wasn’t planning on testing how deep it goes, if it were on the slide or somewhere more visible I might.


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[mrcabinet]

That's a great first cycle right there. I don't have the patience for the Laurel Mtn. anymore, so I use Mark Lee's express solution. The end result is all that really matters.

I've looked at two Massada pistols as potential projects but, at around $600 for either one, the cost was just too prohibitive. Cool guns though.

[barrelproofdrinker88]

Yeah there’s a few on GB right now including a Massada semicompact, but as you said, cost is prohibitive for a side project gun. 


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[barrelproofdrinker88]

After 4 cycles




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[Earl Keese]

 Looking good. What is your reasoning for diluting the rust solution?

[double-d]

Nice.  Shame I don't have the patience to do the bluing steps and the reason why I'm typically a matte hard chrome guy by others.

Love seeing these projects come together.

[barrelproofdrinker88]

Looking good. What is your reasoning for diluting the rust solution?

I’ve had issues with light pitting sometimes especially on the slide flats.  I’ve tried shorter rust times, limiting humidity, as well as diluting the solution.  I’ve read elsewhere of people having issues with pitting with Laurel mountain and diluting it.  With dilution, I haven’t noticed an issue with producing rust. 


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