Hi,

I was thinking of having my 629-6's stainless changed to a bead blasted matte finish. Anyone ever had this done?

Good or bad isea?

Anytime I buy a stainless revolver that needs a little attention and bead blasting isnt going to hurt that value, I do it. Bead blasting removes and hides blemishes. Some older guns and some that were only in small runs will hold their value better with blemishes than they would by changing the finish, but I wouldnt imagine the value of a current production gun would be affected.
I do my own blasting, so its not such a hard decision for me. Here are some before and after pics of my more recent ones

I say don't do it. Just not a fan..and I have a bead blast cabinet! To me, the blast finish is always looking for someone to make it shiny again.It's kind of like cars in primer..I see it as unfinished..

__________________
My Daddy was a pistol..

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I have custody of a stainless S&W revolver that belongs to a friend of mine. It has so many scratches it looks like he cleaned it with sandpaper. If it were mine, I would have it bead blasted in a minute. I assume you totally disassemble it before you blast it?

Yes, everything comes off. All internals, sights, pins. EVERYTHING

qballwill - impressive result and nice photos! I like the fact that blasting gets rid of the "grain" in the finish. I really like the fact that I can't see a turn-ring on your blasted 640 ... I have the same 640 - if there was someone around here who could do that - I'd have it done in a New York minute!

If I ever end up with permanent custody if my buddy's revolver I will definitely have it bead blasted.

Is it harder to clean off the blast and powder residue from bead blasted stainless?

Yes. I found it to be a real pain. In fact, the last revolver I glass beaded I actually ended up polishing it up mostly to make it easier to clean.

I hate the look of the bead blast. i.e. "matte" finish.

I've got a brand new satin revolver 625. And I had been looking at getting a brand new K/L frame .357, but all the ones I'm interested in that is on Smiths website are all that bead blast finish. So decided to not bother with it for now.

Qballwill, that is beautiful work, the revolvers look great after bead blasting.

Bead blasted finish looks great, but scratches easy. ymmv

It does not make it ugly. It is a terrific finish. Just do it!