I found a model 29-2 at our local pawn shop I put it on layaway for 541.00. The finish is about 87% , so I'm thinking about having it refinished. The prices for bluing services at the factory look reasonable. But I'm curious about the turn around time. Has anyone used their services, were you happy with the results ?

We had a discussion about turn around time relative to warranty and non warranty service the other day. Seeing as how this is not a warranty issue, my guess would be 3 to 6 months, but I could be wrong. Nice price point. Got any pics?. Unless it really bothered me, at 87%( and no rust) I would just say I got a good shooter and shoot it
Wish I could find deals like that around here

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

A 29-2 for $541?? Jackpot! Pictures when you finally bring it home would be great, just to see the finish.

I'd agree that if there's no rust, I'd think real hard about getting it refinished. If there's rust that's more than a little freckling, that's a different equation.

I see this is your first post, so Welcome to the Forum! There's a world of S&W knowledge here. I joined 7 years ago and it's been great.

I would think long and hard concerning a reblue myself. Would it be the same high gloss bluing of years back? Heard different chemicals used today. Wasn't the older rust blue or carbona bluing the best?

To my mind, 87% original blueing on a 29-2 is far nicer than a 100% current reblue from the mothership. It’s not as pretty, not as durable and more sensitive to cleaning products. If you’re going to use it as intended, you’ll be glad you left it original.

Yes I'm a long time lurker. I'm really thinking of leaving in alone. No rust at all just freckling on one side of the cylinder, and left side of the frame. It will need a new elevation screw but they are cheap. When I get it out of layaway I will post pics.

If the finish loss does not have any associated metal damage I'd be tempted to leave it alone. That said, I had a model 29-2 that had bad bluing and pitting and there was no point (to me) to leave it that way. The factory did a really nice job and I suspect it was related to the original polishing work on the metal.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Call S&W they will tell you the estimated turnaround time. Mine was returned a few weeks early.

You should do what makes you happy. If you have it done, be aware the bluing is different now than when your gun was built.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Be aware that Smith can’t reproduce the original finish of a M29-2: they use an entirely different system now, in no way comparable to the original.

I’d suggest you look to Ford’s in Florida for a reblue. It will take longer, but be much closer to the original finish than anything Smith can do.

Yeah that is what I thought. Usually "changes" are not for best these days. Think we have all seen this lately.

S&W changed to the liquid blue process in 1980. The bright blue finish results from the high polish of the metal and not from the type of process used. I have had a couple of pre-model 29s finished in the last ten years and the results have been fine. The blue is a little darker than the original, but that is all.

Bill

I sent my M19 in for a repair and re bluing. Got it back in about 3-4 months. The blue job was darker than the original.

Dear ezrider9,
I was just researching having my model 19 refin8shed at the factory and saw your post on a thread: ‘I sent my M19 in for a repair and re bluing. Got it back in about 3-4 months. The blue job was darker than the original.’
I would be grateful if you would share with me the process of getting this done, the cost and turn-around time, as well as any other thoughts you may have about this experience. This was my first handgun and it just came back into my possession after about 30 years. I am delighted to have it, for sentimental reasons, and hope to pass it on through my family.
Thank you for allowing me to contact you, via this site.
Sincerely,
R. Miner, Troy, NY area

Everything went with out a hitch. Very easy to deal with. I contacted SW through their website. They intern contacted me with instructions. The refinish looks black instead of blue. Wish I didn't need to refinish. Different process I guess. I couldn't find the invoice, but the cost of repair and refinish was about $350. I used a small foam cooler packed with bubble wrap to ship the gun.