Gun Library find: Model 59 nickel

[olivehead1]

I generally have little interest in nickel guns and never owned one, but seeing this gun that was part of a collection the GL bought and which hadn't yet gone out for sale (they showed me the list), I decided to roll the dice. (It was just listed as "59" and turned out to be nickel.) Part of it was that it's the only nickel gun I've even had a passing interest in that didn't have flaking somewhere on the finish. Part of it was that I do like me some vingtage S&W DA semi-autos.

Seems I asked this before when I was considering a nickel gun, but I'm still not quite sure: What's the best way to keep the nickel finish clean, not damage it, and keep the fingerprints to a minimum? Does RenWax or similar work on nickel, i.e., not damage it?

Any thoughts appreciated.

p.s. Tough to get a decent picture with all the reflections. It's pretty dang shiny.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. Yes, RW works fine on nickel. Enjoy!

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

…but seeing this gun that was part of a collection the GL bought and which hadn't yet gone out for sale…

First, congrats on a sweet looking pistola!!!

And B, can you explain what "the GL" means?

Sam

 

[ken158]

First, congrats on a sweet looking pistola!!!

And B, can you explain what "the GL" means?

Sam

Cabalas Gun Library I suspect

 

[jimbo728]

Sweetpistop!
Let us know how she shoots!
Jim

 

[Bald1]

I've had good luck a time or two in GL…… Prices seem to be very high or suspiciously low. Never a normal price.

 

[olivehead1]

Cabalas Gun Library I suspect

Yes, "GL" for short.

 

[murphydog]

Bass Pro uses the same term, unsurprisingly.

 

[olivehead1]

I've had good luck a time or two in GL…… Prices seem to be very high or suspiciously low. Never a normal price.

In the last few years, mostly since Bass Pro bought them, I agree with you. Mostly on the high side, unfortunately. The few guns in the last 3-4 years that were at least reasonably priced, I've ended up buying. Some are quite outrageously priced. The half dozen from this particular collection that I looked at were on the reasonable side. This 59 was $425, on par with the $400 I paid for a blued 59 4-5 years ago from a LGS. Go figure.

 

[olivehead1]

Bass Pro uses the same term, unsurprisingly.

For a number of years some of Cabela's guys told me that Bass Pro was going to start having a GL in those stores, then others would say no way. Finally in the last couple months, the local Bass Pro started carrying used guns labled "Gun Library," but there's no room set aside just for the GL as you'd find in Cabela's.

 

[stansdds]

Sweet looking Model 59 you got! As for keeping it clean and preserving the finish, you can clean residue from S&W factory nickel plated firearms with common solvents, Hoppes No. 9 is fine. Other nickel finishes may have a layer of copper between the steel and nickel, for those you avoid solvents that contain ammonia, but S&W applied their nickel directly to the firearm, so no copper to dissolve and cause bubbling and flaking. Once cleaned, yes, Renaissance Wax works great at protecting the nickel from oxidation.

 

[olivehead1]

Once cleaned, yes, Renaissance Wax works great at protecting the nickel from oxidation.

Good deal. Love that stuff. And my kids love the smell. They always want to take a whiff went I get the can out.

 

[audiec01]

Looks brand new...