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Old 08-28-2020, 12:17 PM
hassiman hassiman is offline
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Question Question on best honing stones for smoothing 629 Action

Hello,
I was wondering what make a grade of whetstones are needed to polish up the action on my 629-4.

Also can a good gun oil like Lucas Extreme duty Be used during the polishing process?

What brand and grade of stones are needed and where is the best place to buy them?

Thanks,

Rich
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Old 08-28-2020, 12:23 PM
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Rich,

Caution, opinion follows:

I use a combination of Norton India stones (medium and fine) and ceramic. 6"X1/2"X1/2". This is purely personal preference. The medium Norton stones are (were) used at the armorer's school, and were included in the tool kit. The 6" stone is required when repairing push off. (sharpening the trigger bevel)
Wet/dry ultra-fine paper or crocus cloth is also an option for polishing. I lay it on a piece of glass, or plexiglass, and rub the part over the paper.

I consider myself a bit heavy handed, so I don't use Arkansas stones, as they are too soft. Again, personal opinion. Don't throw me under the bus.

With the small amounts of material being relieved and polished, oil usually isn't necessary, although light oil will speed the process, and protect the stones from getting embedded with metal particles. I would favor mineral oil over gun oil. Again, just personal preference, partly because I am a cheapskate, and also, "gun oil" is needlessly expensive. I use light oil to clean the India stones, and soap/water, Lava soap, or toothpaste to clean up the ceramics.

Where to get them? Brownells, or Brownells.

And, the mandatory PSA.....please do your homework before attempting to use stones to modify your revolver(s). Failure to do so will cause harm.....harm that may or may not be repairable. The name Jerry Kuhnhausen comes to mind.

Carter
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Old 08-28-2020, 01:58 PM
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I have used kerosene as a honing lube for many years and have been very happy with it
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Old 08-28-2020, 02:12 PM
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I use, " norton arkansas file set , part # 86839 "

It's a 4 stone set. They run about a hundred bucks.
I don't use any oil with them. You are smoothing
metal so use a light touch.

Do your homework, you might get them for less

Here's a link to a peddler:

DGI Supply - Norton 61463686839, 4-Piece Hard Translucent Arkansas File Set, 61463686839, 61463686839, NOR86839

These guys want about 85.00 for theirs.
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Old 08-28-2020, 03:03 PM
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Just remember, buying a set of stones does not a gunsmith make... be sure you know exactly what you are doing and where you are doing it or you may end up buying costly replacement parts...
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Old 08-28-2020, 03:36 PM
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A few decades back I started with the pro gunsmith set from Boride:
BORIDE Pro Pistolsmithing Kit - BORIDE Engineered Abrasives

Over the many years that followd, I have probably added another dozen stones of different grit and shape from various other manufacturers

Yes there are several stones in that original kit that are unused since I purchased it, but I still think it is a nice place to start

I use no oil with these stones.

Remember to always take off less metal than you think is necessary and check the fit and function often before removing more metal
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Old 08-28-2020, 04:06 PM
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I recently bought a S&W 27 , 5" barrel . I wanted the action smoothed out . It went to an old time gunsmith . I said that I didn't want a " hair trigger " nor a light action . That I used CCI primers . He did a wonderful job removing the " grittiness " . I cost me $50 . Am I going to try and do what he did and for $50 ? NO way ! I've seen too many " bubba " trigger jobs that needed professional repair . Regards Paul
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Old 08-29-2020, 05:11 AM
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For general polishing, where a stone isn't mandatory, I just use a new sheet of wet & dry sandpaper (600 or 1200 grit) laid flat on a small pane of glass.

I like to save a "used" sheet for use on the final part's polishing, which has less "bite" in it.

.
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Old 08-29-2020, 10:39 AM
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I only use Arkansas Stones. Mainly because they give the smoothest finish and cut slower than any other stones. I take my time and never want to have an "ooopps" by taking too much off. To smooth out an action "properly" takes some skill to do just enough as to not shorten the life of the gun or make it dangerous.

Unless it's being done professionally where time is money and a pro knows when to stop, action jobs are not to be rushed.

Just my opinion and YMMV.
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