Bead Blast finish
 

Does anyone no what media is used to bead blast stainless ? I like the look of the Smith Pro series guns and was curious if a 686 could be blasted to look simular. Any pics of blast jobs you guys have done?

I think aluminum oxide is the blasting medium used to achieve a matte grey finish on stainless, but the gunsmith will know what to use... I've had an entire stainless rifle blasted to dull grey, and the topstraps of a couple 640's, the result is a sort of "frosted" matte (not "satin") finish.

Sorry, don't know the answer to your question... but there are lots of pics here of 686 CS-1's here with bead-blasted finishes.
Also, you might ask S&W (they charge $145 to bead-blast revolvers): Precision Gunsmithing - Smith & Wesson

Glass beads. The desired finish texture determines the size of the beads used.

Read here :)
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smi...-blasting.html