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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 11-14-2020, 09:37 PM
J. R. WEEMS J. R. WEEMS is offline
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Question RE FINISH OR NOT??

Have had this K .22 for some years. It came to me broken, plastic white stocks finish worn, but have a box. Was always going to send it off to Fords to have nickeled but never have. It really has no collector value, but I dont care much about such things. She is tight, shoots just fine but as I said a bit worn and not original. Ipulled her out last night and went over her once again and install the only grip adapert I had and a pair of ivories I had laying around. I have always said function was more important than than looks, to a point. So, I picked her up for $85.00 because as I said she was broke (trigger return spring) . What might be the vote here? Re finish, or not?? Just curious as to what anyone else might thing?? Thanks for looking.


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Old 11-14-2020, 09:44 PM
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It looks good to me as is. Before sending it off for a refinish, try giving is a good coat of Ren Wax, that can make a startling improvement.

I'm not a fan of nickel.
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Old 11-14-2020, 09:54 PM
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That revolver is not that bad. Try a bit of TLC and see if it doesn’t grow on you. If not, I am sure a classified ad will draw some response!

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Old 11-14-2020, 09:54 PM
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She's a beaut just as she is. Nothing wrong with a little honest wear on a good shooter.
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Old 11-14-2020, 10:05 PM
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I much prefer it just as it is!

But if I wanted a nickel gun I'd try to find one and then sell this one. You wouldn't be out of pocket any money. They're going for $600 to $800. If you paid $400 to get it nickeled, It wouldn't sell for much more if that.

The K22 didn't come nickeled from the factory but if you get it nickel plated, don't let them nickel plate the hammer, trigger and extractor star. That's the factory protocol for their nickeled guns so that those parts function properly.
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Old 11-14-2020, 10:07 PM
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No.

No modern bluing is quite right, and the good looking modern reblues will cost you 2 to 3 times what the gun is worth, and not increase the value at all.

I know I may make some enemies but this needs to be said; Ford's refinishes look like hell. They just don't keep the edges sharp and it looks like one of those terrible high polish, but melted looking, Colt blue jobs. Deep dishing on the sideplate seems to be common on many of the guns I've seen them refinish.

If you want to re-finish any S&W that belongs in this sub forum you would be way better served just selling this gun and buying an example with the finish level you want.

Ford's is just fine for reproducing a lot of Colt finishes or with modern guns, and if they don't have to polish they can do a great job putting nickel on a gun. Which is about the only time I'd say it's not a crime to send an old smith to them; if the gun just has no blue left and there's nothing to do but clean it and apply nickel.

By the way, I'm nowhere near alone in my opinion here, but there is a fear of saying this out loud in case feathers are ruffled. I've been around long enough though that I don't mind saying it for all the guys who won't.


To be fair, and this is important, I think Ford's is a good value. I do not want to be unfair to them at all in this, and I don't think I am. The reality is that the work that goes into a proper restoration (what a gun like your's deserves) is significant, and they charge for a re-finish. Not a restoration.

A re-finish is absolutely great for a gun that's already been refinished in the past, but for one that just has honest wear? No, just please don't.
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Old 11-14-2020, 10:07 PM
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For a shooter not a safe queen she looks fine. Spend your money on ammo.
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Old 11-14-2020, 10:10 PM
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I have the solution to your problems. you keep the ivories and i'll give you twice what you paid and i'll even pay the shipping and fees. Lee
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Old 11-14-2020, 10:23 PM
J. R. WEEMS J. R. WEEMS is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by majick47 View Post
For a shooter not a safe queen she looks fine. Spend your money on ammo.
Well, the votes are in from many whom I respect. I must agree and will keep here as is, unless I come upon a Tyler. I have used up my stash. THANKS ALL! I have all the ammo I need. She also has a target hammer.

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Old 11-15-2020, 06:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. R. WEEMS View Post
I must agree and will keep here as is
Good choice......Ben
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Old 11-15-2020, 06:44 AM
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blue is cool, ����, stainless is better,����, but that shiney blinding nickel finish is freaking �� cool even the Russian Zars son knew it when he ordered the revolvers in 44 Russian. Godbless America we’re still free.
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Old 11-15-2020, 09:12 AM
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Leave the gun alone... I've had 2 refinished at Fords and have regretted immediately... they dident look the same actions we all jacked up, improperly refinished dings. Half the cylinder was polished the other half not... I can't attest to their nickel jobs.... but after talking to them and having them refuse to redo the gun and tell me "thats how its supposed to be" I can't recommend them...

Your gun tells a story leave it alone... all just my opinion sir

Notice in the pictured how it almost looks like half the cylinder face has been polished.... thats how I got it, obviously this is a single 6 convertible and this is the .22mag this gun has been back 3 times to no avail.... ill just shoot it and leave it alone ...
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Old 11-15-2020, 09:38 AM
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No refinish, No way! that's a great looking shooter...I like a nice orig. shooter.....stocks, whatever!....try to wear it out....my opinion
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Old 11-15-2020, 11:23 AM
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Refinish? No! No! No! and No!
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Old 11-15-2020, 01:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SixgunStrumpet View Post
No.

No modern bluing is quite right, and the good looking modern reblues will cost you 2 to 3 times what the gun is worth, and not increase the value at all.

I know I may make some enemies but this needs to be said; Ford's refinishes look like hell. They just don't keep the edges sharp and it looks like one of those terrible high polish, but melted looking, Colt blue jobs. Deep dishing on the sideplate seems to be common on many of the guns I've seen them refinish.

If you want to re-finish any S&W that belongs in this sub forum you would be way better served just selling this gun and buying an example with the finish level you want.

Ford's is just fine for reproducing a lot of Colt finishes or with modern guns, and if they don't have to polish they can do a great job putting nickel on a gun. Which is about the only time I'd say it's not a crime to send an old smith to them; if the gun just has no blue left and there's nothing to do but clean it and apply nickel.

By the way, I'm nowhere near alone in my opinion here, but there is a fear of saying this out loud in case feathers are ruffled. I've been around long enough though that I don't mind saying it for all the guys who won't.


To be fair, and this is important, I think Ford's is a good value. I do not want to be unfair to them at all in this, and I don't think I am. The reality is that the work that goes into a proper restoration (what a gun like your's deserves) is significant, and they charge for a re-finish. Not a restoration.

A re-finish is absolutely great for a gun that's already been refinished in the past, but for one that just has honest wear? No, just please don't.
Well spoken honest opinion. I had Ford’s do a couple of old Colts a few years ago, and got about what I expected, no complaints except the cylinder release on the Lawman turned plum, which I’ve learned can happen with different metals.

I did not know that about their refinishing of Smiths, great info. But then, none of my Smiths would ever be refinished, except an old beat up nickel 12-2 that’s just not worth the cost they charge these days. In almost all cases I much prefer the look of honest wear.
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Old 11-15-2020, 03:16 PM
J. R. WEEMS J. R. WEEMS is offline
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Thumbs up HER HOME

We all seem to be in the same camp. So, here is her home. She will ride in this about period, Colorado Saddlery holster.

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Old 11-15-2020, 04:59 PM
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NO! NO! nickel plated with gold hammer and trigger and fake pearls.
Would make my uncle in New Orleans as an adult entertainment agent.
WINK!
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Old 11-15-2020, 05:09 PM
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I polish my nickel and stainless guns lightly with simi chrome polish on a very soft rag. Then I use the used simi chrome polish on my blued guns. It brings back the shine like new. Once the dullness is gone I use fritz but not often. I just wipe them down with G96 and wrap them in s&w parchment paper.

Carry handguns in the summertime can dull the finish from body sweat using a in the pants holster. The finish gets foggy.
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Old 11-15-2020, 05:10 PM
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There was a shop in my home town that did creative plating.
The blue with cylinder flutes and small parts gold plated was very snazzy.
Plating the cylinder flutes took a good job of masking.
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Old 11-15-2020, 08:09 PM
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OP - I know that you have already decided to stay pat , but here is another angle :
If you poured a pile of money into a nickel refinish you would burst the "Wow - I have a great shooting K22 and I barely paid anything for it!" bubble. That would be a shame.

Mr Watson ... "snazzy"? Man , you must be at least as old as me , Ha!
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Old 11-16-2020, 08:03 PM
J. R. WEEMS J. R. WEEMS is offline
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Thumbs up RANGE TIME

A short trip to the range proved fruitful. She is as right on as my only other K 22 from 1945--- She is sure a keeper as is. Thanks to all as usual for your expert input.
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