Shoot It or Scrap It ??

[Rikkn]

I believe it is a .44 Hand Ejector, Third Model ( Model 1926 ). Came to me yesterday. Had K frame grips on it.....

This baby has been through the wringer cosmetically !!! Mechanicals are nice and tight though, functions fine. Need some opinions on a path for it,,,,, clean it up ? just shoot it ? parts gun ?????

 

[Rikkn]

More pics...

 

[NYlakesider]

I believe it is a .44 Hand Ejector, Third Model ( Model 1926 ). Came to me yesterday. Had K frame grips on it.....

This baby has been through the wringer cosmetically !!! Mechanicals are nice and tight though, functions fine. Need some opinions on a path for it,,,,, clean it up ? just shoot it ? parts gun ?????

Well why do something like selling parts. You yourself says it shoots fine. If its safe which sounds like it is hang on to it. They are not made anymore. Me I would safely clean it up as well as I could without being abusive!

 

[delta-419]

Project Gun !

I love a project gun and would love to find one in my favorite 44 caliber . I try to do a couple a year, parts are the challenge. If you have the time and the patience these old artifacts of a time gone by are as rewarding a hobby as collecting NIB ones, all by themselves. Let us know what you decide!

 

[mtgianni]

As you get into it it will let you know what it's best use is. For me if it's a rebarrel and cylinder replacement it's probably best for parts. Short of that it could be a very functional shooter.

 

[teletech]

It's gotta be worse than that before I'd give up!
That said, it's uglier a gun than I prefer to bee seen with.
I'd replace any bad parts (how's the bore?) and then how about a nice defensive pistol? A quick media-blast and parkerize would look pretty period, cover a multitude of sins, and not cost much. You could do a powder/ceramic coat on it but I personally don't like the modern look however practical it might be.

 

[jimmyj]

1. FORDS in Crystal River, Florida
2. SHOOT IT
3. Lobogun leather for a holster

 

[Truckman]

It's gotta be worse than that before I'd give up!
That said, it's uglier a gun than I prefer to bee seen with.

We've all dated ugly girls at some point...Dress it in a full flap holster, and take it to the range after dark...(Apologies to any lady shooters here for my inexcusable humor, the devil made me do it!)......Ben

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1ZJiBHh-Yw[/ame]

 

[Old_Cop]

Harder than woodpecker lips but if it works, work it.

 

[SS336]

I'm pretty sure you can't hurt it's collector value , so shoot it.
I would…..but maybe from a safe distance…..with a string.
Seriously, why not if it checks out safe to shoot, shoot it. Personally I do not think it is worth restoring.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would think to rebuild the front sight, maybe a "half target" setup, and have the gun Parkerized. Looking at the various 1911 and 1917 Army refurbs, there are a lot of flaws under the phosphate.

 

[GSP Fan]

I'm new here and don't claim to be overly knowledgeable about S&W handguns but I'm learning. I do however have a lot of experience with older American SXS shotguns namely Parker and Fox as well as pre64 M70's. My theory is that they aren't going to make any more of them. If you can restore it and don't mind the cost you have preserved a bit of history and somewhere down the road another S&W fan will be thankful you did.

 

[AJ]

Ensure it shoots fairly well, clean and Parkerize it and use it for a truck gun.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It has already been refinished at least once. Has no collector value. I concur with a bead blast and phosphate coat but I would cut the barrel to 3-3.5" and put a target front sight or maybe a ramp on it first.

 

[AlHunt]

If it's safe to shoot, clean it up as best you can and hand it down to your descendants. In a hundred years it'll be a valuable survivor.

 

[dmthomp32]

Normally I'm not a refinish person, however in this situation I'd clean it up, run some test fires, and it if shoots and functions properly I'd go with a parkerized finish as others have suggested. It would give you a nice vintage look as well as cover some of the flaws that may not clean up without serious abuse. Cool project for sure!

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[gmborkovic]

No blast, no cut. Oil, clean and rub. Then shoot.
Why do people have to blast and cut? Just leave it on the bench .

 

[steelslaver]

A refinish would destroy its collector value.

that is meant in jest. If it checks out just shoot it

 

[damienph]

OP, don't listen to anyone else. That relic is not even safe to be left on your work bench. I'll send you an address by PM for proper disposal

 

[Rikkn]

Like I said, mechanically it is fine. Bore is not bad at all. Biggest issue is the front sight, and the appearance of the rest of it !! Kind of interested in a possibility of cutting it down putting a site on, but, I do have a lot of other project guns laying around. Maybe I'll just do something with the front sight, and leave it alone.