S&W Bead Blasted Finish on PC Guns?

SAWMAN · Mar 18, 2013

Ok, maybe I've been out of the loop for a little while... I've been buying pre-locks for a while now. Well this weekend I picked up a current production 686 PC gun and the entire thing top to bottom and cylinder are bead blasted..

I remember when I use to complain about the 'wire brush' look of their revolvers, but once I found out about Mothers polish, those scratches polish right out to a beautiful finish...

It's misleading looking at their website, but the closer I started looking at Gunbroker of current stainless PC guns, plus when I received my 686 it looks like the majority are bead blasted now...

While at first I thought the finish looked nice, but then I started thinking, how the heck do you clean these guns? Looks to me like any cleaning what-so-ever will start to polish the bead blasted look off? Plus they would have to scuff really easily.

Thoughts....

mesinge2 · Mar 18, 2013

I personally like the looks of this finish and its quite tough. I've cleaned mine quite a few times and I don't see any wear to speak of either.

stc1 · Mar 18, 2013

I like the bead blast look it has a satin finish and can be touched up with a small investment in tools. On some metals it makes the surface harder (so I've been told). Its not the same as sand blasting which removes metal and can be damaging if done excessively.

SAWMAN · Mar 18, 2013

I dont necessarily mind bead blasted look, but I like my cylinders polished so i can keep them clean... Maybe my definition of clean isnt within the realm of normal because I'm extremely OCD and methodical about all my firearms. Any time I shoot them they get a thorough cleaning back to factory shine (or in this case factory matte).

I really have my doubts that cleaning all the residue off the front of they cylinder, top strap, forcing cone area (any heavy fouling areas) will not result in shining the bead blasted finish. Plus on regular revolvers if the turn line every becomes excessively noticeable, easy to polish it down, the turn line on this looks permanent since it is polishing the finish.

stc1 · Mar 18, 2013

I have a 642 ct and haven't any problem cleaning the residue off. I suppose if you use abrasives that would be a problem for the bead blast finish, in fact its why I invested in the bead blast equipment ( I tried polishing the turn line out) Its a matter of personal preference but for me bead blasting the cylinder brings it back to new and I was impressed how easy it was to accomplish. By the way I haven't bead blasted the aluminum, just the stainless.

Redlegvzv · Mar 18, 2013

I find that the PC gun cleans up beautifully after use:

SAWMAN · Mar 18, 2013

Thanks for the input guys... Very nice looking 627s also! I think I know what's next on my list now..
I'm glad to hear the finish is more durable than I thought.
If you don't mind me asking, what do you use for cleaning the cylinder face, etc (heavy fouling areas).... I don't think my usual approach with Mothers will work for this finish.

mesinge2 · Mar 18, 2013

Nice loaders Redlegvzv!

mesinge2 · Mar 18, 2013

SAWMAN said:
Thanks for the input guys... Very nice looking 627s also! I think I know what's next on my list now..
I'm glad to hear the finish is more durable than I thought.
If you don't mind me asking, what do you use for cleaning the cylinder face, etc (heavy fouling areas).... I don't think my usual approach with Mothers will work for this finish.

I use flitz and a microfiber cloth. That's it. Here she is just cleaned up from the range:

Redlegvzv · Mar 19, 2013

I clean my cylinder face first by drenching it with Hoppes #9. I then brush it with a brass brush. Then a lead-away cloth for whatever is left. The brass brush seems to "loosen" the crud and the lead-away cloth gets everything.

S&W Bead Blasted Finish on PC Guns?

SAWMAN

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