Remember the 3" 686 I found on Gone-broker?

Smith 686-1 3" NICE Not CS1 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com


Well, after a trip to the range and a bit of torture testing with 38 lead,
and 357 jacketed loads it passed with flying colors.
It shoots like a house-a-fire.
No issues whatsoever.

So, it was time to finish it. I called my local gunsmith,
" The Gunocologist" inc. " and we set up a time to bead blast it .
in Pembroke Park, Fl..
Here are the before and after pictures.
The ' velvet hone' finish as it is called is very smooth despite its appearance.
Remember , bead blasting actually closes the surface of the steel and
strengthens it somewhat.
As opposed to sand blasting which opens up the surface in preparation
for some type of proprietary coating or finish.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Before.






In the past 25 years the frame had taken a few bumps and had been 'cleaned'
in ways it shouldn't have.






Note the B/C gap. a nominal .0002" I thought I would have a problem with this
but during the firing/testing there was no trouble.

I guess it goes to show how a revolver when professionally set up can have very
close tolerances and still function reliably. ,, A.F.




,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,During.
















and ,,,,,,,Finished. With the combat stocks also reduced to a matte finish.



The bead blast work cost me $60. and I did all the disassembly and re-assembly.







Looks just like a CS-1 doesn't it??













In its De Santis Gunhide in-the-pants scabbard,






Here's to a prosperous New Year for you and yours.

Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

I rekon folks in South Florida do have a bit of taste. Looks good! Do you know if that was glass bead or aluminum oxide?

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NRA Benefactor

Nikko 'the gunocologist' uses glass bead media. Not aluminum oxide.

Don't forget. We Floridians can use deadly force.


,>If you try to rob them.<


Oh, for heavens' sake!

Allen Frame

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Best photos ... best collection ... best projects ... bar none.

Thanks Allen!

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I'm with the banned ...

Looks great Allen! You did a fine job on that baby. The grips look way more functional without the high, but slippery gloss finish.

Love that road sign BTW. Wish every state had one!

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V/R
Roger / SG

That turned out awesome !!!!

I think that looks great...I picked up a 3" CS-1 with a lot of scratches and no "M" modification. I sent it back to Springfield and asked for a bead-blast while it was there. S&W did a very nice job, but I don't think its any nicer then yours, and it cost (I think) around $125. I recently picked up a 4" CS-1 that someone had partially polished. Needless to say, the results aren't real pretty, but its been modified, so no free ride to the factory. Your results might inspire me to check with the local gun shop for an estimate.

Very nice job, Allen. I did that to the 681 PC, if you recall. It still looks great.

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Dave Frost

looks great! I have a -1 6in that I might want to get bead blasted after seeing how yours looks!I hope the S&W bead blast will look like that!That is who I will have do it.Your pistol made my mind up for me thanks!

Hmmm, I have a bead blaster and a new to me M60-4 with cosmetic issues. And I like yours alot.



Look like a good candidate?

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NRA Benefactor

It looks very nice indeed.

Great job on the 686!

I love that highway billboard. Seeing a sign like that makes me want to go there!

On a related note, New Hampshire is considering warning THEIR residents that they are about to enter Massachusetts.

"Warning: Massachusetts border 500 feet"

In other words, travel 500 more feet and kiss your freedom goodbye.

I'd have rented a bill board besides the Brady one saying "So listen up thugs, robbers, murders.... Florida says go away and leave us honest folks alone."

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Deaf

Nicely done sir! My father did the same thing to his 4" 686 no dash that I eventually inherited, it now resides with my older son.

My favorite appearance for stainless.

Here is a 686 no dash CS1 3".

Allen, that's impressive, looks like a new revolver.

STILL one of my favorites.

That's the beauty of stainless steel and a bead-blast finish!
You don't have to baby it.
If it gets that worn and scratched up look after a few years you just do what Allen did and it can look like new again.
Nicely done!

Tyrod , use a good quality media. Disassemble it to nuts. And have at it.

I have the same 60-4 but do not need to do anything about the finish.





Regards
Allen

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Good Job, your gun looks great.

I hate shiney stainless too.

I bought a little portable blaster from Harbor Freight and did my 686 and a 66 and it came out really well.
I don't even have a cabinet, I use a full hood and rubber gloves and go out back and let it fly!

Allen, man I love your posts, you are the master.

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Sure you did

Hello folks,
I stumbled upon this site by chance and I'm impressed with amount of information available!
I recently aquired a mod. 36-1 from a friend, it has a nice finish except on the side plate, there is significant discoloration and slight rust pitting that need attention (holster moisture?). Any opinions about surface prep. and home rebluing products (Flitz for polishing and ? for bluing)? Thanks for any advice that can be shared.
Poppa Jax