Ran into somebody with a 74' mod 15, 4" Target hammer and trigger, red insert front sight. profesional action job. She's sweet and tight but shows allot of holster wear. Price is only $225 but it needs refisnishing of some sort for me to fully love it. So I know a factory refinish is an option but I'm thinking something less costly. I have a fresh bottle of duracoat sittign around but wonder if the gun deserves better.
Thoughts?

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Dave

i guessing you will be baned for even saying it! its your gun do as you wish i would just have it reblued myself

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

I like holster wear myself, I would leave it be.

For $225 I'd just shoot the heck out of it and enjoy it. If it has to have a perfect finish for you to "fully love it". Then leave it for somebody else, you'll probably not be happy with the duracoat either.

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Andy

i get some s&w from time to time that are excellent except for the finish, and i agree factory refinishing on s&w guns adds to much to the price. i parkerize them and have seen them duracoated, but i like parkerizing better.

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I've seen duracoat chip off around the front edges of slides and cylinders. Then it looks like a ****** paint job. I'd leave it as is or try one of the better cold blues.

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S&W Accumulator

I like some holster wear, gives it character, to each their own though.

Duracoat a Older Model 15? No, you will not be banned--However you might have one less body part. (yes this is a tough bunch)

It would be pretty close to tearing pages out of a bible.

Blue it, nickel it, hard chrome it, leave it alone, but not even I would paint a 15... And I have done some odd stuff...

I painted an old Mossburg I took as a fee with BarBQue paint way back when -actually it worked out pretty good. Looked like flat black parkerizing. Sold it to an old boy who needed it more than I did.

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Forum consigliere

I have a feeling that these fella's would hunt you down, abduct you, then tar and feather you.

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Dyin ain't much of a livin

OK--OK I get it. xnay on the duracoat idea.
To be honest, I'm not wacky about the idea either. just looking for a reason to buy it. $225 + $200 to reblue isn't good reason when I already have a pristeen 68' mod 15 in the safe. That one is too nice to shoot.

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Dave

Buy it, shoot it and enjoy it.

Banned? No.

Shunned? Most definitely yes.

Just back away slowly from the duracoat and no one will get hurt.

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"I'm just a dog chasing cars."

Just slather it in Naval Jelly.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Makes sense. But he was asking about a Smith & Wesson.

I've seen a couple of 15's done in Duracoat, (done badly). They didn't even take the adjustable sights off the gun to coat it! I had nightmares about them.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks for asking. I, too, would nix the paint job. But I would not scorn a decent cold blue, if that appeals. Or find someone local whose blueing work you can inspect before jumping.

Good luck,

Dyson

MB and I are on the same page! Hard chrome or a re-blue. Duracoat barely looks good on a cheap imported semi-auto.

I would look at hard chrome,touch it up a bit or leave it be. I got a pre model 15 a couple years back that has honest holster wear. I used a bit of cold blue on her and she is not pristine but a great shooter. If I have issues using it in the woods I may have to chrome it but would likely have a different bigger revolver Done first out of the toy chest.

I also have a few other worn guns that I got for eventual projects,model 10's n 13's but after shootin them stock I don't think they will be modified or at least not most of em.

How about Ford's in their Black Chrome?

The key to resurfacing any metal or other substance is preparation, preparation, preparation, no matter which method you use. I have guns that were amateurishly reblued that looked like **** several years later that I took to a Lauer Weaponry certified shop. They take the gun completely apart (I mean Completely!) and prep it in ways the average guy in his garage will not do. The stuff is great on multi surface guns, like carbon steel, polymer, aluminum alloy, when done by professionals. I know it seems to be marketed as something you can use in your kitchen, but some things are best left to the pros.

I would not ban you from the forum, even if I had the authority, but a holster worn 15 with no rust or pitting, or other major finish defects might best be left alone.

My vote is do not buy the abused gun as it will bother you.
Rather shoot your pristine older one and enjoy it !

Take one look at the horror that this once beautiful 19-2 Combat Magnum has become.
They even topped it off with wrong style and wrong era grips and a black Tyler T...irritating my OCD on so many levels...




There is a special place in HELL dedicated to people that paint classic S&W's..... please do not go there...

I agree with a reblue or a nickel job.but not a duracoat.I would leave it as is.

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God save the SOUTH

I had a well used blue 3 inch Model 10 parkerized, and it looked good and carried well as a ranch gun. While duracote may offer the best finish, I think blue, parkerizing, nickel, or hard chrome looks better and is more appropriate to the gun.