refinishing a S&W

Brian P. Kenny · #1 08-09-2010, 04:40 PM

I thought I would ask you folks, I have a real "beater" Mod. 29-2 that needs to be refinished. The blue is well worn, and there are some scrackes and ding marks (light) that are not bad, but bug me.

This is my bear gun a3 incher and is with me in bear country. I don't know if I want to reblue the gun or try one of the bake on type finishes.

Thanks for the info.

Brian Kenny
SWCA # 908

truckemup97 · #2 08-09-2010, 04:49 PM

If I was going to carry it in the woods, I'd leave it as-is. But then, I like a gun with a little character.

H Richard · #3 08-09-2010, 08:03 PM

Brian: I've seen some of the "bake on" finish's, and I'm not impressed I've never seen a S&W so bad that I would want to put a bake on finish on it. A properly applied metaloy type finish can enhance the looks plus be a nearly impervious to wear protection. This is a Mod. 19 I had done a couple years ago.

Missed you at the Masters.
Dick

Gary · #4 08-10-2010, 11:14 AM

S&W will reblue it for you if you send it to them. The cost is reasonable and they do a decent job.

chief38 · #5 08-10-2010, 03:25 PM

There are basically four options here..........

1) have the gun refinished (electroless nickel is pretty durable). I personally never liked the bake-on finishes.

2) sell it and replace it with a stainless version of the same gun. Never worry again.

3) leave it as is and just call it character.

4) The last option (the most expensive one) would be to have S&W restore it to its original blued finish, and go for a stainless model too! Next time you wander into the woods, carry the stainless version, and admire the blued one when you get home form the hunt.

chief38

SASABERANGER · #6 08-10-2010, 04:03 PM

The new ceramic coatings can be had in numerous colors. And when done correctly (by a pro) look really good.
The 29-2 is plentiful enough that you are not going to destroy a classic or decrease the value any more than has already happened.
I had one (29-2) a few years back that had been parkerized and looked pretty good and functioned well. It had been lost in Alaska for a couple of weeks in the wet summer. The before and after looks were amazing.
The bottom line is what you are comfortable with and not what we think of the project. I personally do not like Stainless in a gun or any chrome/nickle finish that is silver colored.
Good luck with the project and let us see the end result.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474