Lethal Weapon - Riggs' Beretta

[Matsuo]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Looks like they re branded a Beretta with Taurus trades. Good for you.. Bad for someone looking for a proper Taurus with frame mounted safety... It all worked out in the end for you I'd say though.

Problem with any solvent to remove the white it's going to take off some of the black.

M

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Problem with any solvent to remove the white it's going to take off some of the black.
M

So best bet is just to paint over?

As you know, we're talking the side surfaces of the slide, which can be masked of and isolated, so I don't have to re-paint the entire gun. I have my technique for painting simulated gun metal (we all do...) and am pretty confident I can get it to turn out well. I believe it is in this area that Beretta engraved the metal, and I'll have to forego that aspect. But not too worried; painting over the Taurus markings will make the biggest difference.

Talking about simulating gun-metal, I still recall - Matt - being awe-struck by your beautiful casting of the Aliens Vasquez pistol where even the grain of the steel was captured in your cast!

 

[Matsuo]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Thanks!

Here's the way I see it, if you've resolved that you might have to repaint the piece, use a stronger solvent first, you might get lucky. Try nail polish remover, mineral spirits, and save lacquer thinner for a last ditch. If it's a bust, then repaint.

M

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Thanks!

Here's the way I see it, if you've resolved that you might have to repaint the piece, use a stronger solvent first, you might get lucky. Try nail polish remover, mineral spirits, and save lacquer thinner for a last ditch. If it's a bust, then repaint.

M

Good idea - forgot about nail-polish remover...

 

[Matsuo]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Yeah it's usually stronger than alcohol but not as strong as lacquer.

M

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Well, no dice on that either. White print stayed pretty much there, and cloth was beginning to blacken.

Matt, silly question - but on the air soft version of these guns, is it pretty simple for the slide to be removed and re-installed? Or if I try will the whole damn gun fall apart in my rookie hands, never to be reassembled again!?

If I can get the slide off, it would be much easier to paint.

 

[JoeG]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Most decent airsofts break down like the real steel. On the Beretta I believe the lever just forward of the slide release has to be disengaged and then you can remove the slide. Remove the mag first, of course.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Is the white lettering raised? Try a razor blade. Also, pure citric acid (seasonings section) mixed with a little water will take certain paints that thinners will not. Was the NPR you used acetone based? If not, try that. The skin friendly npr isn't as strong.

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Most decent airsofts break down like the real steel. On the Beretta I believe the lever just forward of the slide release has to be disengaged and then you can remove the slide. Remove the mag first, of course.

Cool - thanks; I'll take a closer look...

- - - Updated - - -

Is the white lettering raised? Try a razor blade. Also, pure citric acid (seasonings section) mixed with a little water will take certain paints that thinners will not. Was the NPR you used acetone based? If not, try that. The skin friendly npr isn't as strong.

Not raised - no...

Not sure on the acetone. It's my daughters (young; 11) so may be "friendly" type. Threw me there a minute - National Public Radio...!?

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

By the way here's a quick and dirty picture with the Beretta grips:

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Most decent airsofts break down like the real steel. On the Beretta I believe the lever just forward of the slide release has to be disengaged and then you can remove the slide. Remove the mag first, of course.

Yup, that was easy... Got the slide off, but wouldn't really aid too much in painting... Oh well; no big deal.

 

[Matsuo]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Is the slide metal? You might be dealing with etch. In any event re painting is the only option.

M

 

[robstyle]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

the white lettering may be screen printed or at worst, etched on as Matt said. A light sanding and repaint will do the trick. Been there 100 times. If its etched bondo applied with a razor blade will do the trick.

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Is the slide metal? You might be dealing with etch. In any event re painting is the only option.

M

It is indeed metal. Certainly doesn't feel etched - no discernible raised relief. But I'm sure there are etching processes that have this result...

You guys are even more familiar with the structure of the overall body, and can attest to how simple it would be to mask off the area in question and repaint.

I use a "Wrought Iron Black" (ever so slight metallic element, I believe) which I wet-sand down to 2000 - 2500 grit, after which I hit it with a semi-gloss clear. Gives a nice blued illusion (ever see my Blade Runner blaster, or the Ithaca shot gun I got from you, Matt - same process). If I go this route, I may need to include the portion(s) that curve inward towards the barrel/muzzle so it is uniform.

This may result in a finish closer to what I want anyway. My mind's eye sees the gun he is polishing in the near-suicide scene. The sides of the slide/body of that gun at that time appear to shine a bit more than the Taurus finish.

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

And lookie here:

View attachment 266727

As Ray48 said above, the Allen screw was used to prevent an empty magazine from being removed/exchanged (or possibly inserted). The paint/sticker was placed on the non-firing prop as a prominent indicator, and nobody thought to remove it for shooting. (Sorry, I can't get great detail off my DVDs and I'm not set up to grab Blu-ray.)

What were we talking about again?

It looks like a yellow smiley face sticker on the grip in that photo from Dixie's house.

You know - I think it could have been a sticker of some sort.

You can clearly make out the elements of the Beretta logo in the near-suicide scene. But the detail on the logo is SO soft, and you have to use layers of house paint to get that. Seems almost more like a thin sticker slapped on.

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

So...

How best to replicate? Sticker? Paint? Leave the logo black?

If I paint it silver, could always go back and redo it in black if I want.

And if I'm truly going for the suicide gun, should I add the mag release modification...?

Hmmm...

 

[Noeland]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Owners choice I'd say. What does your gut say?

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Got paint on the slide (and lots of it!).

The lettering was most definitely etched - finely etched, but clearly so.

So much paint I may wait until Sunday for it to cure before sanding. And I may have to add an additional coat.

 

[MFP 2020]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

So...

How best to replicate? Sticker? Paint? Leave the logo black?

If I paint it silver, could always go back and redo it in black if I want.

And if I'm truly going for the suicide gun, should I add the mag release modification...?

Hmmm...

At least in the Dixie scene, I figured it was a yellow Avery dot on the grip. These are .75". Amazon.com: Avery Color Coding Label Pad, 0.75 Inch Diameter, Assorted, Pack of 480 (45472): Office Products How big is the logo?

In the suicide scene...a white one over the yellow? Just a white one? The adhesive left behind after peeling off the yellow?

About the mag release mod, I'm torn. On the one hand, it's what we see in the scene. On the other, it's real life intruding into the movie's world.

 

[PHArchivist]

Re: Beretta 92 Experts - Need help...

Owners choice I'd say. What does your gut say?

I like the idea of painting it silver. Sticker or not, it distinguishes it as the gun from that scene - Riggs' gun.

- - - Updated - - -

At least in the Dixie scene, I figured it was a yellow Avery dot on the grip. These are .75". Amazon.com: Avery Color Coding Label Pad, 0.75 Inch Diameter, Assorted, Pack of 480 (45472): Office Products How big is the logo?

In the suicide scene...a white one over the yellow? Just a white one? The adhesive left behind after peeling off the yellow?

About the mag release mod, I'm torn. On the one hand, it's what we see in the scene. On the other, it's real life intruding into the movie's world.

Quite possibly, and good assessment. The more I think about it, the more I think it was in fact a sticker. and IMFDB says it was "gold" which may actually be the yellow you refer to.

From IMFDB: "An identifying feature of this particular 92F was the gold finish on the Beretta logos on the grips." And, "Note the gold finish on the Beretta logo on the grips, as well as the Allen bolt replacing the magazine release button."

The overall disc on my grip is 7/8"...