Can I bake this gun?

[olivehead1]

Stupid question regardless of the answer, but here goes: I'm thinking of refinishing the barrel shroud of my R8 with some spray-on finish or even a spray-and-bake. Haven't decided which yet, but if I go spray-and-bake (say 30 min. at about 300 degrees), is there any harm to putting the whole thing (minus grips and yoke, cylinder, sights) into the oven to bake it? I mean, is there anything internally or externally that would make this not a good idea? I assume there's no plastic anywhere in the lockwork.
Thanks for any info.

[armorer951]

You could....but doing so will most certainly effect the overall value of your very expensive gun, in a negative way. There are also springs in the gun that could be negatively affected (damaged) by prolonged exposure to those temperatures.

If the shroud has to be refinished, I would send it to S&W, or have the shroud only coated (Cerakote) by a professional. If the factory does the work, the value of your revolver would be preserved, and the internals would not be a factor.

[steelslaver]

Spring tempering does not happen until over 700f. 300f will not even effect fully harden steel right from the quench. Has to get over 350 to 400 to begin to drop. Tempering is time dependent for full tempering, but that means to get a good temper a piece must be held at the target ttemp for 2 hrs and for 2 cycles. Good springs would even notice 300 if held at that for days.

Check out the Heat Treaters Guide and the Fundamentals of Metallurgy.

With most high carbon steels after the quench I temper for 2 2 hour cycles at 425f to take to 58-61 Rockwell C depending on the steel. A file migth get a couple 300f cycles just to remove the stress fro temper.

[steelslaver]

PS, I think some of the current J frames have a nylon guide on the mainspring. It or sight inserts and the red stuff the put on the yoke screw would not like the heat

[Hondo44]

I agree with steelslaver on both of his posts. Those are the two issues I'd mention; not a problem for springs and there could be some plastic parts depending on the model.

Also if you have a white outline rear sight blade, it will turn brown.

[chief38]

Only if you use Frosting on top - - LOL!!

I would fully disassemble BEFORE baking - leave nothing to chance. After baking, I'd clean and re-lubricate the inside as it would have all dried up. ALSO you might check if the R-8 was assembled with any sort of "Locktite" holding the barrel and insert together - might loosen with heat. I am not familiar with newer Smith Revolvers as my newest one was made in 1994.

[Muss Muggins]

Just don't . . .