To re-blue or not to re-blue 10-5 3"

Fox4506 · Dec 26, 2021

Rgbonej said:
I picked this model 10-5 up cheap for $300 with the intention of building a PPC style revolver. I have a slab sided bull barrel and aristocrat rib for the build, but after buying this gun, i think i like it the way it is. I will try to find a more common barrel length to pull apart for the build. Now to this one.
The finish is pretty rough. I plan to use this for a range gun, maybe occasional carry. Should I have this one re=blued, or leave it as is? I have a quote to get it re-blue for $150. This is from a guy that has done some work for me in the past and i have always been more than happy with the results. Thoughts?

Very nice, and you got it for a great price too. I would definitely leave it as a 3 inch...too many 4 inch revolvers out there that you could turn into a PPC revolver.

Since you're on the fence between re-blue and just using it as is for range and carry, you could always touch it up with some cold blue. That might be just enough improvement to make it look a little better, but not so pristine that you worry about messing it up. I cold blued an old police trade in that I bought from Bud's and it turned out decent.

No matter what you do you won't be wrong.

ColbyBruce · Dec 26, 2021

Is a 3" 10-5 a common gun from it's time? My 10-5 is a RB, 4" standard barrel. These do not turn up for sale very often in my area.

kbm6893 · Dec 26, 2021

STCM(SW) said:
Bud's guns had some that came back from New Zealand about 6 years ago.
Sold out in about 2 or 3 hours. I did get one.

They came from Australia. At least mine did. The square butt kind of threw me off and I stupidly sold it.

rogerwnuss · Dec 26, 2021

kraynky said:
I'd take it as it is and leave it be. I like a gun that I don't have to worry about putting the first scratch on.

Hope to run across one of those myself one day.

I learned that lesson with the first Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top I had, parents bought me for my birthday in 1969. Babied that thing and worried, and when it finally got scratched I about had a stroke at 16......
Although, the argument about getting it
reblued , if done well, is valid. Only have 450 in it and you'd know it isn't factory finish so you could be relaxed about it possibly getting the odd scratch...and it would look nicer. Hmm.... maybe I'm convincing myself ......

sikacz · Dec 26, 2021

Your gun so only your opinion matters in the end. I'd shoot it a bit, see how you like it and perhaps you'll decide to keep it as is. If you choose to re-blue, I'd opt for a factory re-blue myself. Keeps it's history on record sort of. Good luck and enjoy that revolver.

Fessor · Dec 26, 2021

I would leave it as is. If you reblue it you would need to get nicer grips (stocks) for a commensurate appearance and then you're getting more money into it and you have a reblue.

DGNY · Dec 26, 2021

Very handsome configuration of that revolver. I'll echo a prior comment suggesting a set of Ken's Stags for it.

Either magna style or service style would suit. Possibly also clean up any light rust with bit of touchup, if you like. (Years ago I lucked into a decent 2" pre-10, touched it up and found a set of old service Stags. Great film noir look!) Then just call it "done" for a long, happy career as a treasured side arm for you and your descendants.

pmosley · Dec 26, 2021

kbm6893 said:
They came from Australia. At least mine did. The square butt kind of threw me off and I stupidly sold it.

I still have my 3" 10-5 square butt from Australia via Buds......I keep it shined up with Renaissance when necessary. It is a very cool piece -

I have a 3" 13-3 with round butt and truly the 10-5 looks more proportional to my eyes.

Sent from my BV4900Pro using Tapatalk

Grayfox · Dec 26, 2021

I have a quote to get it re-blue for $150. This is from a guy that has done some work for me in the past and i have always been more than happy with the results.

Have you ever seen a revolver done by this guy? Many of these re-blue guys just throw the whole gun in the tank without taking it apart. You end up with blued hammers and triggers that way.
That not only looks bad, but hurts value big time.
I would definitely ask about that before trusting a desirable gun to a $150 blue job.

bananaman · Dec 26, 2021

As you ashamed to be seen with it? Many people here would like to own 1 themself. Refinishing won't make the gun shoot better. Just make you a little prouder.! Bob

326MOD10 · Dec 26, 2021

Great find at a great price!

Please yourself in what you chose to do and you can't go wrong.

A couple photos are attached that show a local bead blast blue on a 3" RB. No refinish on a 3" SB and last is a bead blast factory refinish that comes with Action Package from S&W.

I think sometimes about sending RB in for a regular refinish from S&W but I do just have it to shoot.

Good luck with whatever you chose.

ladder13 · Dec 26, 2021

Leave as is or hard chrome.

epj · Dec 26, 2021

Just noticed that the stocks have no medallions. Assume they are replacements of some sort.

Rgbonej · Dec 26, 2021

Well after shooting it today, i really like the gun. I love the balance of the 3 inch barrel. I dropped it off today after the range to get the bluing done. My friend who is doing the work has been at this for years, and has done great work on multiple Smith revolvers for me. He is backed up at the moment, so he will have it untill february. I will post some pics when its finished, if i get it back from him. He liked it and kept trying to buy it before i could leave!

luvsmiths · Dec 27, 2021

Rgbonej said:
Well after shooting it today, i really like the gun. I love the balance of the 3 inch barrel. I dropped it off today after the range to get the bluing done. My friend who is doing the work has been at this for years, and has done great work on multiple Smith revolvers for me. He is backed up at the moment, so he will have it untill february. I will post some pics when its finished, if i get it back from him. He liked it and kept trying to buy it before i could leave!

You'll be happy with that I'm sure. Carrying a new, pretty revolver, instead if a "beater" and at a great price., Who cares about resale on that particular gun. In Fact, Id entire to say I would pay more after job for it. It's a carry gun. And it'll be a PRETTIER carry gunner! And who cares if it get scraped up!!? At that price, its cheaper than a Glock that'll get worn also.

People here make it sound as if you were re bluing a one off collectible Smith.

Congrats!

Great gun and good luck! Happy New Year!

CH4 · Dec 27, 2021

It's a work horse, leave it be. I can't see any scenario that would make it worthwhile to refinish that gun. Carry/shoot it with pride and without worry or guilt.

SmithNut · Dec 27, 2021

Consider this......

I like Baxter6551's suggestion to bead blast and reblue it.
Here's a pic of a 3" M10 (in this case RB and HB), but look at the finish, this was a factory gun that I had in my 3" collection and one of the best looking Model 10's that I had.

jjmIII_Ruger · Dec 27, 2021

SmithNut said:
Here's a pic of a 3" M10...

I really like that! That was done at S&W??

Rgbonej: might as well round-butt it first

Seriously

peterdeb · Dec 27, 2021

I really like a high polish blued revolver and appreciate its beauty. I think you did the right thing to get it reblued, at a reasonable price. Not a fan of a bead blast, pistol looks dead and lifeless. JMHO. Sorry.

jimmyj · Dec 27, 2021

I have a S&W Model 10-5 5" that was rough when I purchased it. However it was a "Tack Driver". I took it to "Fords" in Crystal River, Florida for a refinish. The refinish was expensive but I am very glad I did. "Fords" refinish is much better than the Factory's.

To re-blue or not to re-blue 10-5 3"

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Attachments

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

Similar threads