I have searched;

Looking at two high dollar revovlers, both have-allegedly-been mirror polished at Smith; how practical is this for a cc gun (lined holster) will fine scratches eventually show and if so how noticeable will this be?

The guns are magnificent to look at....

stainless of course

Highly polished guns are adored for looks by some, BUT they show every little mark, fingerprint and blemish.
A matte finish is more practical for holster use. ANY gun carried in a holster will eventually show it.

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Science plus Art

Well, you don't say what model the revolvers are, and I have to admit, I'd be a bit leery of someone telling me they'd been mirror-polished at the factory. But anyway, fine scratches and tiny marks are easily polished out of a stainless revolver, no matter if it's been mirror-polished or not. If it's a gun (or guns) I truly wanted, I wouldn't let the polish deter me from buying it. It is, after all, your money.

There probably isn't a week goes by that someone doesn't say that exact same thing on one gun forum or another. I'm not saying it isn't true...but I'm waiting on someone to show me a blued revolver or pistol (matte finish or otherwise) that won't show fingerprints, scratches, marks, whatever.

That blued gun doesn't exist, unless it lives in a sealed display case or something and is only handled with cotton gloves.

The OP specified he was looking at stainless, but yes, if anything, a highly polished blued gun is worse. I have a friend with a pristine collection of highly polished blued pythons he does not shoot, and he only handles them with cotton gloves. If you wanted to put one in a holster, he would probably faint.

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Science plus Art

If you keep them coated with wax and away from heavy abrasion, I doubt you'll have to worry much about the polished finish going bad.

However, if you are paying a premium for "factory" work, there are many more aftermarket than original high polish finishes out there, so for me a careful examination for rounded edges, blurred stampings and a history letter would be key to paying more.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

OP, If the guns are magnificent to look at, please post some photos.

Maintaining/touching up a polished surface on bare metal (stainless/whatever) is child's play------------------IF!!!! If you use the EXACT SAME grit abrasive that was used to create the original polished finish. If you use ANYTHING else (either courser or finer) you will have no trouble whatsoever in spotting your touch-up---now known as a major boo-boo---------which can (also) be repaired--------------IF!!!!

Piece of cake, right?!! Right--------what's the original grit?

That's a good question---let me know when you find the answer---and I won't hold my breath.

Of course, such major boo-boos can easily be overcome by polishing the entire piece with a grit of your choice---which is probably not what you had in mind.

Measure twice, cut once!!

Ralph Tremaine

As an aside, a matte finish on bare metal can also be easily maintained/touched up-----IF. If you use the EXACT SAME media (glass beads/whatever), the EXACT SAME line pressure, and the EXACT SAME angle of attack.

There are two well known---and old---and pithy sayings at work here: "There ain't no free lunch." and "You pay for your thrills."

To me, buying a shiny new gun is kind of like marrying a 22-year-old beauty queen -- 30 years and 3 kids later, she may show a few grey hairs and some wrinkles, but that doesn't mean she's not still a great performer!

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Pisgah

I wasn't particularly talking about a highly polished blued gun. I meant any blued gun.

But yes, I also know folks who are totally obsessive about the finish on their guns, fretting over any real or perceived "damage" to the finish.

I like to keep my guns in good shape...mechanically and finish-wise, but the fact is, if you use a gun, it's gonna show use and wear marks.

Above is a direct "copy paste" of the O/P's post. I don't see the word stainless anywhere in it. Have I missed Something?

I just did, and boy is my face red. Thank you

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Always Stay Strong!

Look at post #2.
What models are these guns?
Pictures would be nice to see!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Appreciate the replies, both are model 60's and both indeed were polished at the Factory, the current pricing for buffing is $275.

Not able to provide pictures but saying that the finish has been mirror polished is very-very accurate and it certainly appears that parts were removed prior to the work being done.

I'll continue to nose around to try and find out if its a dumb idea for a carry gun, though my 64 which was carried daily for many years shows remarkably little contact wear-shoulder holster.

tnks

these pics pretty much sum things up

Polishing Stainless Steel Gun to Mirror Finish

link should be fixed

This guys does nice work also..

Why would it be a dumb idea?

If you want to carry it, carry it. If you're looking for a carry gun but think one of these is too expensive and too pretty to carry, don't buy it.

I bought a Model 40 once. Wish I hadn't. It was unfired. NIB. I'd been looking for a carry piece. The gun was so pretty, so pristine, I couldn't bear the thought of carrying the thing in any fashion...pocket, holster, whatever. There used to be photos of it on this forum...last year, I think.

I'm not a collector, really. So I basically wasted my time and money buying it. I sold it about a month or so later.

Yes, in post 2 .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If you like the polished look, there is no reason you shouldn't buy or carry it. The black tacticool folks may disagree .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I love my high-polish guns, but I shoot them and they show it. I'd have liked them to always be the perfect mirror they were when new, but the honest wear is fine with me.

bigwheelzip; a newly polished gun in a non formed lined holster; what would the typical contact wear look like, how soon would wear begin to show. I imagine the barrel tip and cylinder would be affected the most; would any sort of automotive product add protection?

Sincerely appreciate all the info.

My high-polish are range queens and don't get conceal carried, only transported to the range in the foam-lined factory boxes. The get enjoyed at the range by myself and most of my guests, then cleaned and put in the safe.

Somehow, they develop that very faintly scratched patina, that I think resembles whats seen in a new car paint finish, when you wash and dry it a few times.

I'd guess that it could re-polished fairly easily, if I were so inclined. My husband is more bothered about the finish than I am, and wishes I'd buy matte or bead-blast finish instead.

I'll add that even with a less than perfect finish, the polished guns always get admired by fellow shooters that see them at the range, sometimes getting double-takes, like mini-skirts at a NYC construction site.

This is a plain ordinary Model 60 that I have had for years. It has been shot and cleaned so often the major portion was already showing shiny wear, so I just took Mothers Mag polish and finished up the job. About an hour to hand rub out what was left not shiny. It comes close to resembling a nickel finish. It does seem to draw from a belt holster a little smoother.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I used Mother's Mag on my 640 Pro (about 4 hours -- I'm slow) and it looked like a mirror. It's with me all day, every day, and, yes, it starts to "go back to its roots" after a few weeks -- especially noticeable on the flat surfaces. Time at the range, cleaning, and a little time with the Mother's and it's back to its blingy self. I would not pay somebody to do that for me.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

This model 60 had a lot of tiny scratches when I found it,but the price was right.A few hours with mothers mag polish cleaned it up nicely.

THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE APPROACH TO GUN OWNERSHIP, WATCHDOG. BECOMING OBSESSED WITH KEEPING A GUN COMPLETELY FREE OF ANY TINY MARKS, WILL SOON TAKE THE JOY OUT OF SHOOTING IT.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Patriot is not Smith and Wesson. Did Smith polish them, or did someone else?

The guns were polished at Smith-the Patriot link was posted for anyone who has not seen a professional mirror finish.

gsn,

Thanks for the link to Patriot. The gallery photos are mystifying as to how they can get anything that polished and yet the roll marks remain crisp. Not sure I will ever use the service but I did bookmark it. Having wrote that, my mind not being exactly right, I can see having a beater stainless Model 64 laser engraved then having Patriot polish it. Costly - yes, makes sense - not even. Welcome to my world. regards, hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

HC, my thoughts also on the markings and finish-it would seem that one -should- preclude the other.

I have emailed the Company to see what they charge-my factory fired only 64, circa '75, most probably will be taking a trip out west-I'll post what info I get back.