Has anyone had S&W do this? Have pics of the finished product?

I've done a lot of work in the past with attempting to strip and reanodize. I was always able to tell the difference just by looking at the surface finishes, and when we got particular about control of dimensions, they tended to shift around as well. Outside dimensions got smaller (rails), inside dimensions got bigger (holes for pins and shafts). Overall, fits would generally be looser by enough that it could make a difference in subtleties of operation of a pistol.

I know the cost is higher than would generally be warranted, given the value of a really nice third gen. The same is true even with nicer revolvers, but a lot of people over on that side of the world still send them home to get refreshed, to make an old gun look nice for sentimental reasons, etc.

I don't have an answer - but, I am very curious about this too. I have a 4013TST that shows just too much wear to suit me. Someone said, here on SWF, some time back that the mothership would not refinish the frame if it has the riveted-on rail - which mine has. I sure hope that isn't right!!

I am surprised that the will at all but per their website S&W will anodize 3rd gen and newer only. Frames only - currently $150

Precision Gunsmithing - Smith & Wesson

The reason you had issues with a strip and re-anodize is that Anodizing is NOT a plating or coating. It is a conversion process that converts the surface material (Aluminum) to a different Material (varying forms of Aluminum Oxide) and goes into the surface as much at it builds outward. Stripping the Anodize always results in a loss of material. leaving, as you said, outside surfaces smaller and inside surfaces ( holes etc ) larger.

__________________
Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

Fully understand this. I'm an engineer, and the experiences relayed above are part of my professional experience, not just my hobbies. I actually spoke with S&W CS about it earlier this week and was told dimensional change is not an issue. I don't really believe that, so I thought I'd put out a feeler here and check the "voice of the customer".

I know that this might be heresy, but has anyone considered asking a gun smith to Cerakote a 3rd Gen frame? I don't mean one of those gaudy finishes, but something close to the original factory color. A subdued silver if it's a "stainless" gun, and a blue/black color if it's a blue/black gun.

Just a thought, as I don't have a gun that needs any sort of finish work.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Doing anything but a fresh bead blast on a stainless frame would be pointless, IMO. The fact that the stainless can always be touched up at low cost and without completely destroying the surface that's there and starting over is one of the biggest things in their favor.

My perception of the market is that people buy third-gens because they are relatively inexpensive, so they don't want to dump a bunch of money in them. The difference in price between a really nice one, at least of not-super-rare models, and one that's pretty rough doesn't really cover the cost of any kind of professional refinishing.

You kind of have to be committed, careful, thoughtful, and do a lot of digging to even figure out what they are these days, unless you just happen to stumble over one. It's a different crowd than Glock Talk where people pay whatever the latest one costs and then throw a bunch of money at upgrades.

You raise valid points. All of my 3rd Gens are potential carry firearms. I have holsters for each of them and expect that they are suitable for carry whenever I feel the need.

As I posted in a thread in the forum, for a gun company that uses the word "Perfection" in their advertising, there seem to be an awful lot of aftermarket parts to improve performance. Other than grips and one gun with night sights, I've never felt the need to improve any of my 3rd Gen guns.

A little wear is just the sign of a gun that's used for it's intended purpose.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Oh, I've thought about it occasionally... ... and rejected it every time. Even to "save" a hard-to-find model in a difficult marketplace like ours, I'll never be a "painted handgun" kind of guy.

I would put it a little bit differently. Yes, many 3rd Gens are very good bargains in today's marketplace... but that has little to do with why you don't see a lot of them being refinished. Rather, I attribute it to the cost of a high quality refinishing job vs. the (generally smaller) added cost of simply finding a better condition gun.

And then, after that, the refinished gun will probably never be worth what the nice condition "all-original" gun is anyway. In other words, unless the subject gun is totally unique, your far better economic option is to simply buy a different, much better condition gun. That was the conclusion I reached anyway.

Your other points about prepping and re-anodizing 3rd Gen anodized aluminum frames are all true. It's an option I investigated and rejected for exactly the reasons you point out. And again, in the end you're still dealing value-wise with a re-finished gun.

I've had two worn, chipped and scratched alloy frames 3Gs Cerakoated.... a 6904 ex-police gun and a 915 former Security guard gun.... LOL both guns were far from collectible and represent guns that TTSH wouldn't even look at twice or consider buying................


both were done in what I would call a matt stainless/aluminum look...... to get reverse two-tone guns.

Now would I dump a lot of money into it? No..... each Cerakoted frame cost me $70. Don't think I've got $350 total in either gun......

They are now my "truck"/"rough use".... 3G guns.......both have held up well over one and two years......... course both are still carried in a good holster and generally under a cover garment.

IMHO it was a worthwhile experiment...................and both guns look a lot better than they did....... and I'm not losing any value given their original condition

Oh Bam! You make it sound like poor, humble old TTSH is only interested in the most valuable and collectible 3rd Gens out there when the truth is that eight out of his last dozen 3rd Gen acquisitions were inexpensive "value line" guns. You can't get more modest and unpretentious than that! My last 3rd Gen, another "value line" gun, was the least expensive one I've ever bought. Dirt poverty demands it.

I don't think we do "truck guns" here in the People's Republic of Taxachusetts. I've got a ratty, rusty old Chevy work truck... but I've never once put a gun in it or even transported a gun in it. At least I can't remember ever doing so.

I'll have to ask GaryS. He would know.

But if I were ever so inclined to do a "truck gun", it wouldn't be one of my beloved 3rd Gens. Again, it sounds like a perfect application for cheap, disposable plastic!

NO you are widely recognized as a man of distinction and fine taste .... Mr. .......... well except for wine....... ...........



To paraphrase ...

" I don't always carry a Truck gun.... but when I do.....it a Smith & Wesson"

Remember...... "Carry the best..... or be carried by Six!!!"

I'll admit it. It's entirely possible that I *do* need a "truck gun" and just don't know it?

But I still think corrosion-free plastic might make more sense.

Attached Images

	Truck Gun 1.jpg (69.9 KB, 100 views)
	Truck Gun 2.jpg (33.8 KB, 86 views)

LOL......once they; steel or plastic, rust up like that ....... the plastic fantastic only makes a better looking paperweight....... cus the insides of both are a solid block of iron-oxide .................




PS: that Taurus.... was a Amazon River "canoe gun"............

I never have been accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer – that said – am I to assume that out of all of these esteemed respondents, and observers, that not a single person has sent an alloy frame 3G back to the mothership for refinishing?? Maybe someone out there has at least seen one that someone else sent back? I'm still going to send my 4013 back later this year but words of assurance would be nice…

think should refinished this or leave it

Sent from my C6530N using Tapatalk

No truck guns as commonly used in other parts of the country. In most states it's fine to leave a handgun under a seat, in a console, or in the glove box. Do that in the PRM, and you're looking at a felony.

Actually, even if it were legal, I wouldn't do that. I have a friend in a southerns state who used to have a truck gun, but it mysteriously disappeared around the same time he had it in an auto shop for work.

A plumber I knew down south kept a cheap gun in his tool box. Until it disappeared one day.

If I did have a handgun for that kind of thing, like you, it wouldn't be a 3rd Gen. I'd go with something with a plastic frame and stainless upper. I don't follow S&W pre M&P squirt pistols, but one of those would fit the bill.

Overall, I'd be more inclined to have a long gun as a "truck gun" than a handgun. Easier to carry a handgun and leave the long gun behind for "Oh S---" situations.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Like see these Tupperware guns 50 yrs from now verus alloy...

Sent from my C6530N using Tapatalk

If they do, expect an extra charge for removal and reattachment.

Other than a forum-posted report of same, which I have not yet seen, how the heck would anyone know? I doubt a dealer selling an aluminum-framed 3rd Gen that had been factory refinished would admit to it. I mean, what would be the point? He might not even know himself depending on how he acquired the gun?

I once saw an aluminum-framed, square trigger guard 3rd Gen at a show wherein the finish on the aluminum frame was not like anything I had ever seen come out of the factory then or since (and I own a fair number of them). Never did figure out what that finish was. It looked nice enough... but very, very different. I suspected Cerakote so it was a no-go for me.

My "truck gun" is a bit different than the traditional definition of the 30-30 in the rack in the back widow.

My general carry gun is a 3913/14/NL.......in a 7+1 configuration.....if I'm headed to the cabin for a weekend or a week at the Outer Banks or a NE Ohio Bunch gathering... I might add a hi-cap and a couple or three mags. to my "bag of stuff".

Or out riding/doing chores with the RZR or 4-wheeler..... rather than wear/open carry a gun it might ride in a holster in the glove box or rear seat/bag on the Honda.




TTSH my cerakote 3G frames have a bit of a "bead blasted" look..... vs the smooth factory finish...

Pics of some these guns be nice,compare finish

Sent from my C6530N using Tapatalk

Now, wait just a minute there Bam. I thought a "truck gun" was: a) Supposed to have the total "used & abused" look... and... b) my understanding is that it's supposed to LIVE permanently in said truck.

No offense but it sounds like you are cheating here!

I wonder what happened to that black finished Model 1006 that I found in West Springfield recently. It had a sort of flat look to it. Someone must have liked that look enough to buy it.

That gun show 3rd Gen I found with the non-factory looking frame has a real soft-cornered "plastic-like" look to it... as if it were a thick plastic coating (which I'm 100% sure it wasn't). Folks here on the forum have described the normal look of a 3rd Gen bright aluminum frame as plastic looking... but this was mucho different. I really do suspect that it was a paint job of some sort... although it was certainly not what anyone would call a "bead-blasted" look.

There are few topics on which I'd quote James Yeager, but I'm pretty much on board with this one: "A criminal's favorite gun is the one you leave unattended in your vehicle."

I've come out of a restaurant after eating lunch and found the vehicle parked next to the one I was getting into, the same one that was there and intact when we pulled up and parked, with a broken window and the center console standing open. I have assumed the reason was a greater-than-guessing belief that the thief would find something noisy in the console.

To get this a bit back on track --

I bought a 4566 from a forum member in 2011 that was a police trade-in that went to the PC for a re-sand blast refinish, as well as new night sights and grip.

This is a picture from the seller of the result.

Attached Images

4566a.jpg (64.8 KB, 149 views)

You just won S&W Forum for the evening.

Interesting, the frame looks like it got "clear" anodizing, so it looks basically aluminum colored like metal with a little surface dulling. At least in that photo, it doesn't look like the opaque, white/grey color they all are the first time around.

Maybe the photo isn't showing the color very well. But personally, if I sent it back to them to get refinished, they led me to believe it would be like the original finish, and it came back looking like clear ano, I would be more than a little pizzed.

I had my 4003 TSWs done by S&W some years ago. They did everything. They were police trade-ins and saw a lot of time in and out of a holster. They were ROUGH, but turned out very nice after their work.

I've since had other 3rd Gens done as well. They do a good job. It's like a heavy lacquer that is applied to the cleaned aluminium. They call is passivating. It's used in the aerospace industry as well.

Looks brand new, gtoppcopp!
Based on your pictures, I would say they can do the job.

BTW Is that an Ed Brown Competition Safety assembly on your 4003TSW?

John

...a pic of my 5943, 9mm full size, SS slide and aluminum alloy frame. It has a smooth finish, doesn't discolor looks just a little different from the stainless. I enjoy it. Light enough to carry and heavy enough to be a good shooter. I haven't had any problems with the frame, there is a 'datch' (a light dent scratch) on part that is hardly noticeable.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Well guess my Smith going to mother ship to get redone,,thought it over,, it's not worth much,but I be happy,,,these 3rd gens are the best,,

Sent from my C6530N using Tapatalk

Be careful now. You are looking at a stainless steel frame on the Model 4566... not an anodized aluminum frame. Big difference when it comes to the look and refinishing!

Oh No!! My worst fears have been confirmed ... Per gtoppcop's photo - the rail was removed and not replaced. Hopefully, that was done per his request. I really like the work they did on the slide - the laser-etching looks worn down on mine and it looks great/like new in the photo. Nice photo BTW ...

For TTSH - this is "how the heck I would know" how a 3G aluminum frame looks after refinishing ...

Yep! That's the first factory-refinished anodized aluminum frame I've ever seen, here or elsewhere! Looks damn good!

Interesting how the model number and serial number came out white. Too bad the replacement rivets are still black... but, for me, anything is better than the ugly black "mustache" rail.

I could bring that Taurus back from the dead...
it'd take a lotta work tho...
the other, no hope at all

__________________
Marlin & Calico Specialist

Sometimes, you have a gun that shoots so sweet,
that it Deserves some tender loving refinishing...
which is why I polished out my Hi-Standard Model B
The original finish was gone, got it for cheap at a gun show...
had only test-fired for function once, when my Wifey screamed
and ran into the house, "GO OUT THERE AND SHOOT THAT SNAKE!!"
So, being a good hubby, picked up the gun I was cleaning, loaded,
and went outside & nailed the sucker while it was working its
way along a tree limb...it dropped, finished it with another shot.
Deeply impressed with its ability to hit moving targets,
spent more time at the range with it...
it simply hits wherever I aim, no muss, no fuss, no hiccups.
So it deserved to be beautiful again

Attached Images

GEDC0049.jpg (146.6 KB, 43 views)

__________________
Marlin & Calico Specialist

Gents,

Yes the rail was removed at my request. Back when I had them (I've since let them go ;-\), I had two: One was a dedicated rail gun and the other was for a slick dustcover.

If you send them a TSW, they'll take off the rail and refinish the frame and re-install (via rivets) the rail.

JohnHL: Yes, it's a Brown Safety. I have three extras if anybody wants them. Simply PM me and I'll make it happen, just as long as whoever gets them pays it forward to somebody else on the forum...

Take Care!

gtoppcop - Good info and good news - Thanks! The refinished slide looks great - but I can't tell from your photos - do you think the lettering on the frame was diminished any by their refinishing? I wish they would offer just a refinish of the TSW slides ...

The areas around the junction of the mag button and the base of the trigger guard is a constant irritation for me, so all of my frames gets dehorned there. On my all-stainless guns (639, 4506) I bead blast the stainless frames. On my alloy frames (currently a 3954; had plenty of 3913s over the years), they were either hard electroless nickeled by Mahovsky's or Robars; or re-hardcoat anodized by Novak's (the 3954). Turned out just fine.

[...Hi People,
New kid on the block, with a Question.. Has anyone tried removing the anodized finish & polishing the raw aluminum frame, without adding any type of re-finish coating??FONT="Comic Sans MS"][/FONT]

Which would you most likely choose right now if you were ready to do one again?

It is difficult to find someone to do a proper hardcoat anodize, so I would probably go with Mahovsky:
Nickel

Quick turnaround, very reasonable price, been doing it for a long time.

I saw a 4013TSW listed for sale on another forum advertised as "Rare/One of a Kind" finished in Flat Dark Earth (FDE). From looking at it I would guess Cerakote or similar.

It looks nice, but I have to wonder what it might be hiding?

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.