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View Full Version : How to avoid the PURPLE???

ajl2121
06-05-2008, 07:12 PM
Hello all,

Luckily I haven't got any purple on my USP .45 yet. I just got another USP .40, and was curious how to avoid any purple discolorification...I have heard that CLP could cause purpling...What's some products to avoid??? Currently, I just use some value priced package that comes with solvent, oil, and all the tools..no problems yet. Thanks
RyanH&K21EOwner
06-05-2008, 07:33 PM
Stay away from WD-40.

Gun Scubber Birchwood Casey

Automotive Carbon Blast cleaner
Big Bore
06-05-2008, 08:44 PM
There is no way to be sure to avoid it. I know for a fact CLP will not make it purple since I have been using it as a light lubricant and preservative for over 5 years yet some guns have purple extractors and others do not. It "ain't" the CLP.
What it is I don't really know but suspect it is the tempering of the metal and the finish used that is responsible and quite frankly, I don't worry about it any more. If it happens, it happens.
H&K 4 LIFE
06-05-2008, 09:24 PM
What have you got against Barney anyway?
http://pbskids.kids.us/images/sub-square-barney.gif

:D

But seriously, I agree with Big Bore. My extractor and hammer are starting to purple a little on my USPc, and my uncles P30 definatly has a purple slide release. Both pistols still shoot great so I say "Who cares?".
Limey
06-05-2008, 10:06 PM
Its technically.......... "plum"
Thehunt
06-05-2008, 10:32 PM
Buy a stainless Slide ;-)
ajl2121
06-05-2008, 11:10 PM
That sucks...I think certain marred looks give the gun character, like scratches, holster wear, etc., but the exterior surfaces turning purple?! Ughh...So this problem is inherent with ALL pistols from different manufacturers, or just HK's?? So, is there anyone who succesfully shot their USP thousands of rounds, cleaned and lubed several times, had it for over 5 years, and still no purple signs??? If so, what's your secret?
Big Bore
06-05-2008, 11:53 PM
It's just the extractor and sometimes the hammer and slide release that turns purple on the USP/C. On some P7s and P9S the slides actually take on a purple, I mean plum hue, but not on the USP/Cs.
I know of no way to stop it, prevent it, or cure it short of refinishing which is just too much trouble IMO.
I say, wear your membership credentials to the Purple Extractor Club (PEC) proudly!
HK45
06-06-2008, 12:03 AM
Buy a stainless Slide ;-)

Won't do ya any good. The extractor is not stainless and is the same as the ones in the HE pistols.
Kost
06-06-2008, 12:23 AM
No way what so ever to avoid 'patina' changing colors, it adds 'character'...whats the worry anyway? It wont change performance or function.

The one on my USP .40 was a very bright orange color...until the slide/barrel/slide stop was hard chromed...hehehe :)
ajl2121
06-06-2008, 01:10 AM
So glocks, sigs, berettas, etc. don't do this?
Bentonville
06-06-2008, 01:16 AM
HK owners are the lucky ones. Anyway, I like the discolorification. Why mess with a good thing. Long live Purple Power.
madmardigan
06-06-2008, 01:39 AM
Maybe it's just me but I'm sick of people whining about their purple extractors or slides. Go buy a gold plated Desert Eagle if you want to look cool. I have a purple Colt 20" A1 and a purple P7. They are just as deadly as their black siblings.
BytorJr
06-06-2008, 01:50 AM
Well spoken madmardigan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kost
06-06-2008, 03:22 AM
Colt's have been doing for 97 yrs, seen some very old parkerized war pistols that turned patina to a very light gray and also green. This is a National Match...the patina on the slide is purple, frame remains blue. I think the purple slide on the H&K P7's looks amazing!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/twagger/guns/PurpleGCb.jpg
denslen
06-06-2008, 03:36 AM
From what I understand it is the heat treat on the steel. also the steel is a high carbon content type and with some heat treats and coatings can leave a plum-ish color.
at least that's what i've been told.
gun scrubbers/wd-40 will just remove/displace water and oil from the surface metal-this should bring back the normal color after a rub w/ a silicon cloth or oil.
the plum color is an indication of high quality metal as well.
cheers
Derek
madmardigan
06-06-2008, 06:53 AM
Colt's have been doing for 97 yrs, seen some very old parkerized war pistols that turned patina to a very light gray and also green. This is a National Match...the patina on the slide is purple, frame remains blue. I think the purple slide on the H&K P7's looks amazing!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/twagger/guns/PurpleGCb.jpg

Oh man, I can't believe someone put that idiot mark on that beautiful gun. It goes all the way to the trigger!:eek:
Kost
06-06-2008, 07:02 AM
[Idiot mark...sighsssss...]

I know!! None of my Colt 1911's carry that mark, I know how to assemble them correctly
TheCzechBoss
06-06-2008, 07:15 AM
juss send me the stripped slide and 95 bucks in i`ll durocoat it hk black again
Big Bore
06-06-2008, 09:39 AM
juss send me the stripped slide and 95 bucks in i`ll durocoat it hk black again

But then we will have to listen to people complain that their antlers, federal eagle, and serial number no longer stand out. We've heard that complaint quite a few times after someone has had their slide refinished. HK cannot win.


You want purple? I have a 30+ year old Ruger No.1 Varminter that over the years has gone from black to a purple that would make Barney proud. Only the receiver, the barrel is as black as ever.
dtheman
06-06-2008, 07:46 PM
+1... safe queens
SIGtrarian
06-07-2008, 08:23 AM
I would pay extra to get the 'plum' color. Fortunately, all of mine came that way. It's a non-issue.
ajl2121
06-07-2008, 09:29 PM
First off, thanks to those who provided helpful comments and suggestions!

The fact that some of you like the plum color is great...That is your opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own opinions. However, I'm interested in how I can prevent that from happening, because personally I like the way my USP's look now. If I wanted to know who likes purple, I suppose I should have started a thread titled, "how many of you prefer to have a purple pistol?"

Best wishes
SIGtrarian
06-07-2008, 11:49 PM
However, I'm interested in how I can prevent that from happening, because personally I like the way my USP's look now.

Best wishesIt can't be prevented. It can only be refinished.
nonameisgood
06-08-2008, 01:31 AM
I am just guessing, but if it small, uncarburized parts that are exposed to high temps during use, they have exceeded about 500 F to make it to plum. Completely different than chemical finished parts turning plum.
Kost
06-08-2008, 03:33 AM
...I like the way my USP's look now...The slide on your USP probably wont purple or any other color...I dont remember ever seeing a factory USP slide turn patina...I have seen plenty of purple, orange, and brown USP extractors tho. I have a new USPF .40sw that had an orange extractor, as others are saying it cant be stopped and is a 'non-issue' with them.

This is what the orange extractor looks like now...[click] ;)
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2670/40usp1af0.th.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=40usp1af0.jpg)
ajl2121
06-08-2008, 05:20 AM
The slide on your USP probably wont purple or any other color...I dont remember ever seeing a factory USP slide turn patina...I have seen plenty of purple, orange, and brown USP extractors tho. I have a new USPF .40sw that had an orange extractor, as others are saying it cant be stopped and is a 'non-issue' with them.

This is what the orange extractor looks like now...[click] ;)
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2670/40usp1af0.th.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=40usp1af0.jpg)


I can't see any orange, so I'm assuming it was orange but now it's stainless? How did you get the front serrations on the slide? it looks very nice