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01-10-2014, 12:26 AM
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Mirror Polished Stainless
At the local gun show last weekend I came across this M60 that was SERIOUSLY shiny. I asked the guy behind the table "Is this nickle plated?" He said no, and proceeded to tell me how he had hand polished it using 1000, then 2000, then 2500 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper - like what you use when wet-sanding automotive paint.
SO, did this guy de-value of the gun by "refinishing" the stainless?
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01-10-2014, 12:33 AM
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Not really, that's what so great about stainless. you can take any polished gun back to a brushed factory look. some guys (and gals) just like the shiny look.
vinny
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01-10-2014, 05:51 AM
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From a purely collector's standpoint, yes, the Model 60 was devalued by any change to the factory finish.
From a shooter's standpoint, it was neither devalued nor improved.
From the standpoint of someone who likes or prefers a mirror polish, or simply can't abide finish wear, value might be slightly increased.
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01-10-2014, 08:10 AM
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I would pay extra for the shiny finish
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01-10-2014, 09:42 AM
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I don't buy the polished ones. Why would someone altering a stock gun be a MORE VALUABLE thing?
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01-10-2014, 09:47 AM
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The original M60s were mirror polished. DC7 should be along shortly with his photo of his beautiful original stainless gem.
I had my (May '79) 60 mirror polished by S&W's P.C. prior to having it engraved by Wayne D'Angelo.
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Last edited by DRYHEAT; 01-10-2014 at 11:31 AM.
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bassoneer, Black_Sheep, Collects, deanodog, Frank46, G.T. Smith, geneboy, hardcase60, hsmith9491, j38, klind45, KLYDE, lscocoa, MAJPATT, Maximumbob54, nocents, Ranger514, snowman.45, TAROMAN |
01-10-2014, 10:05 AM
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When they get polished like that it makes me wonder what else they did to it. De-valued for sure. If you want the shine then buy nickel...
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01-10-2014, 10:13 AM
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Not to hijack this thread, but I have a Taurus model 445 (.44spe.) that is a stainless, mirror finish. What's the best way to obtain what I would call a satin finish?
Bead blast, steel wool, etc. etc?
Do not like shiney guns, but could not find any blued revolvers in .44 special of any brand (Charter As does not count).
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01-10-2014, 10:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Electraclyde
Not to hijack this thread, but I have a Taurus model 445 (.44spe.) that is a stainless, mirror finish. What's the best way to obtain what I would call a satin finish?
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Best do-it-yourself approach I've seen are Norton sanding pads -- green, red, gray and white -- and these two threads:
How to polish stainless WITHOUT losing matte finish?
How to remove and stop cylinder galling on ss guns.
PM me if you have questions.
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01-10-2014, 12:56 PM
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I have to go with the "devalued" votes. If it's what floats your boat that's your business but I wouldn't consider a polished stainless gun.
Only circumstance in which I might consider one was if it was cheep enough I could afford to have it bead blasted back to a mat finish.
YMMV,
Dave
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01-10-2014, 01:02 PM
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I don't mirror polish my stainless guns but I do like to polish them some. I find it makes them even easier to clean up. I do it by hand though and avoid power tools. I've seen guns were power tools were used and all the sharp edges are now round. That I would say would devalue any gun.
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01-10-2014, 01:02 PM
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I don't really think it devalues the gun. Polished stainless has it's own beauty, and as stated it's easy to have it bead blasted or brushed again. Also old model 60's are all over the place. They aren't too hard to find for those wanting a collectors gun.
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01-10-2014, 01:03 PM
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It definitely detracts from the value IMO. I've personally learned that the hard way. I have seen some that were done quite nice, and I kind of liked them myself, but any change from original finish can hurt resale value.
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01-10-2014, 01:05 PM
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I have polished away matte finish on new guns since I do not like the finish. I never had any problem selling them afterwards. Matte finish is not as durable and shows scratches more. They are hard to touch up. I don't polish to a mirror bright but to me they look better. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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01-10-2014, 01:24 PM
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Making them shiny tends to remind of the movie The Fugitive, "Get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol..."
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01-10-2014, 01:44 PM
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Not my cup of tea, but selling prices for polished stainless S & W revolvers seem to show some people are willing to pay a premium. I call it the "anti-tactical look"  .
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01-10-2014, 01:57 PM
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I don't believe the gun was "devalued" at all. The value of the particular gun, at least to me, is what shape it's in and how bad do I want it. I have a model 60 that I polished to some degree (not mirror) and I think it looks good. To me, some of the bead blasting and "melting" are some of the worst things that can be done to a gun. And don't get me started on cerakote. I buy the guns I like, I maintain them well and will never part with any of them. After I die they may come up for grabs but until then.........
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01-10-2014, 02:17 PM
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Tell me, is nickel as durable a finish as stainless steel? From what I've seen, the answer is a definite no. I don't own any nickel handguns, but I do own a factory polished Ruger Vaquero that has a mirror finish. I like it that way, since it reminds me of the cowboy heroes of my boyhood. HI HO SILVER! AWAY!
I recently used a little Simichrome and elbow grease on my 66-3 snubbie, and was pleasantly surprised at how it restored the dull finish to what I remember it being when I bought the gun new 24 years ago. It's not a mirror finish, and I doubt I ruined its value. Regardless, I don't intend to sell it, so I don't really care.
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01-10-2014, 02:21 PM
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Not Smith...but...
I've owned a Taurus 357mag for years, polished. Recently was looking at all the matte guns and told a dealer how I dis-like the matte. He had a personal 44mag that came factory polished, I offered, we made a deal. Now I have two just the way I like them: polished and beautiful! Nickel is ok, but polished stainless is just way superior.
DR
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01-10-2014, 02:27 PM
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Don't rub steel wool on stainless it can make it rust. Gun value is equall to what the new buyer will pay.
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01-10-2014, 02:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger514
Tell me, is nickel as durable a finish as stainless steel? From what I've seen, the answer is a definite no...
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You would be correct. Nickel is softer, scratches easily. Because it is a plating over the base metal of the gun, it can flake or peel.
Stainless isn't a finish. It is the material that the gun is made from through and through - so no peeling or flaking. Natural stainless can be finished in different ways - everything from a very ant-reflective dull gray matte finish (accomplished by coarse sandblasting) to a shiny reflective mirror polish, and anything in between.
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01-10-2014, 09:29 PM
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One thing for sure, stainless is not rust proof! I have a model 60 Lady Smith that I was going to trade. I pulled the laser grips off that I used for a carry gun and almost died! It had brown stuff on the frame!  The frame is pitted! I could not trade this gun. I polished the pits down and now I have to buff it back to its original finish.
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01-10-2014, 09:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger514
Tell me, is nickel as durable a finish as stainless steel? From what I've seen, the answer is a definite no. I don't own any nickel handguns, but I do own a factory polished Ruger Vaquero that has a mirror finish. I like it that way, since it reminds me of the cowboy heroes of my boyhood. HI HO SILVER! AWAY!
I recently used a little Simichrome and elbow grease on my 66-3 snubbie, and was pleasantly surprised at how it restored the dull finish to what I remember it being when I bought the gun new 24 years ago. It's not a mirror finish, and I doubt I ruined its value. Regardless, I don't intend to sell it, so I don't really care.
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Mirror finished stainless steel is a scratch magnet, just like a watch is.Nickel although plated ,resists scratches much better.
My mirror finished Colt had to be touched up weekly, my nickel ones went years before they needed a polish.
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01-10-2014, 10:15 PM
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All of the Smiths I own are neither "mirror" or "matte", but, they do have a nice in between finish.
The hammer and trigger of this one are matte, probably chrome.
One time I polished the rear of a Ruger MKII pistol bolt. There had been a significant scratch.
I did the multi-grit polishing up to 2500. What I found was the surface was highly susceptible to fingerprints.
I quickly took it back to a directional Scotch-Brite finish, no more fingerprints! 
I doubt the Smith in the picture is a Scotch-Brite finish. 
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01-10-2014, 10:31 PM
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I'm one of those who believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you like a polished gun(which I do); then polish it! If you're more worried about resale then don't polish. As was stated earlier--"the value of the gun is what a potential buyer is willing to pay". I've never sold a gun to a dealer or anyone else who has questioned polishing.
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01-11-2014, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger514
Tell me, is nickel as durable a finish as stainless steel? From what I've seen, the answer is a definite no. I don't own any nickel handguns, but I do own a factory polished Ruger Vaquero that has a mirror finish. I like it that way, since it reminds me of the cowboy heroes of my boyhood. HI HO SILVER! AWAY!
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I once had a bright stainless Ruger Vaquero chambered in .40 S&W. Couldn't stand the looks or the cartridge. Now it is a bead blasted 10 mm and I really like it! Oh yes, I had J-Frame sights added to it as well.
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01-11-2014, 01:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gutterman
I'm one of those who believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you like a polished gun(which I do); then polish it! If you're more worried about resale then don't polish. As was stated earlier--"the value of the gun is what a potential buyer is willing to pay". I've never sold a gun to a dealer or anyone else who has questioned polishing.
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^^^^What he said^^^^.
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01-11-2014, 02:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlay
One thing for sure, stainless is not rust proof! I have a model 60 Lady Smith that I was going to trade. I pulled the laser grips off that I used for a carry gun and almost died! It had brown stuff on the frame! The frame is pitted! I could not trade this gun. I polished the pits down and now I have to buff it back to its original finish. |
If neglected YES, stainless can rust
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01-11-2014, 08:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BJoe
If neglected YES, stainless can rust
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Yep, as the name implies, it will stain, it just "stains-less".
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01-11-2014, 11:43 PM
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If you have a gun that is in good condition and is no longer manufactured, and never will be again, it's probably not a good idea to modify it. The value is whatever someone will pay. Most people will pay more for an original gun than one that has been tampered with. Having said this, people should do whatever they want with their property.
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