Having recently purchased my first newer blued S&W revolver, I was struck by the following: The blue finish is not really blue as much as a black finish. Furthermore, it doesn't seem as durable as my older blued S&Ws were. After a day of shooting at the range I already have scratches, which makes me question whether I would be better served sticking to stainless when purchasing a newer gun. Aren't these newer guns meant to be shot? Or are they to be collected and reside in the safe for future liquidation for monetary gain? As to the trigger and hammer, I understand from a manufacturing cost effectiveness the MIM process makes sense. However what's with those funky grooves and indentations on the back of the trigger (see enclosed photo please)? Also, is it not possible to retain the beautiful case colors of the past on these newer triggers and hammers? So these are the questions I ponder. Please don't construe this as a rant as to the efficacy of "MIM" parts. We've been down that road a million times, but rather why it can't be done with the more modern process, yet retaining the beauty and durability of the past parts?

I far as I can tell, bluing can vary from day to day and from polisher to polisher. I have Smiths that are about black and others from the same time period that are quite the amazing dark blue. Salt baths get "tired" and get changed, polishing wheels load up, humidity and temperature vary during a year's manufacturing. I'm sometimes surprised S&W still offered a blued steel option.

Chemically blackened stainless would seem to be an easier route, but it really is black or grey.

If it isn't stainless or nickle, I usually pass. Blue is just too fragile on a shooter (for me).

Ok, lots of good questions;

+1 on jaymoore's comments. I had a 36 where the blueing on the cylinder was noticeably different than that on the frame. I believe, but am not certain, that it (cyl or frame) was not re-blued at any time. So, yep, lots of variation.

+1 on Win's comments on the fragility of blueing; it wears, shows scratches etc. And you can't 'buff out' the blemishes like you can on the stainless guns.

MIM is MIM. I have a couple with MIM triggers and it does not bother me and I would say "...don't let it bother you...". It ain't going away and doesn't matter much. Heck, my Beretta 92 has a *&^*&^ PLASTIC trigger as does my MkIII. Is MIM better than plastic? Methinks so.

Yes, they were meant to be shot!

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But then, what do I know?

Theyre not the same. My old 82 581 has a better blue than the new 29 Classic I just bought. Just the facts, ma'am.

The 581 was a service revolver, the Classic, I suspected, would be similar in finish to the old guns. NOT! I'll stick with the old ones.

I don't see anything wrong with the blue on my 25-13 Mountain Gun. I'm not sure when it was made, but it has a lock, so it's fairly recent.



No, it's not the same as the old S&W's, but to me it's just different. Still, very nice.

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John 3:16 .