I just picked up my new SW 686P yesterday. It's polished stainless steel and just looks terrific except for the hammer and trigger. I don't know why Smith & Wesson didn't polish these parts too. Anyway, I was wondering if you can safely polish the trigger yourself without damaging the metal? I was on YouTube and I saw this video where this fella used Mother's Wheel Polish to polish the trigger of his 686 and it looked pretty good. But I don't know, it's an expensive gun and I don't want to damage it. Any advice.

Ox

I have one and the trigger and hammer are case-hardened which accounts for the way the metal looks. I actually don't find it objectionable. Also don't want to alter the firearm from factory spec.

I polished my 686 trigger with Mother's and Flitz by simply using a cleaning patch on my finger. It came out smoother and shiny. No problem.

You can polish them if you want. I believe Magnaport will polish or jewel the trigger and hammer for customers. Some will frown on altering the finish of the gun, I say do what makes you happy, it's your gun.

Doesn't after market polishes like Flitz or Meguir's Mag cleaner have an abrasive that can scratch or leave swirls in the stainless finish. SW recommends only light gun oil so I dunno. A bit apprehensive, I just wanna make sure I don't damage the finish. Any products that I should stay away from?

Ox

I removed the hammer and trigger from mine and polished with Flitz. I like the look on a stainless gun. Most of my stainless frames have been hand polished with Flitz or Mothers Mag Wheel polish.

Yes the polishes are abrasive, that is how the metal is polished. You will not compromise the integrity of any of the parts by hand polishing, people run into trouble when they break out the power tools. Just be patient and it will turn out great.