Anyone have their revolver reblued at the S&W factory lately?

[CH4]

Black nitride is an extremely durable option that looks great, at least to my eye. It’s not a paint or plating, it actually treats the metal, making it harder and extremely corrosion resistant. It’s done by placing the parts in a 1100 degree salt bath for 30-60 minutes. I’ve done a couple Smiths. Turn around is usually less than a week.

H&M Blacknitride+™ | The New Standard in Steel Hardening

 

[Keysmia]

I had my old duty redone when I retired. Judge for yourself, and it only took them 7 months to get it back to me.
View attachment 756578
View attachment 756579

What did they refinish it with? Cerakote? Looks like a Melonite finish or something.

 

[Keysmia]

I had this Model 19 refinished by them last year. I’m happy with it. It was rough with a lot of wear. Should have done a before and after.

 

[dmn57]

Do not use Hoppes #9 or any ammonia product on guns blued with the new S&W process. It will turn plum color.

What's the best non-ammonia product to use in this situation?

 

[kbm6893]

5 months is ridiculous for a re-blue. How long can the process take once they begin? Couple of days maybe. I’m sure they’re busy but 5 months? Come on.

 

[rwsmith]

5 months is ridiculous for a re-blue. How long can the process take once they begin? Couple of days maybe. I’m sure they’re busy but 5 months? Come on.

If it's warranty work S&W works quickly. If it's not lead times extend for months. I'm not sure if they have a big backlog of service/custom work or whether they just aren't geared for it.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... making it my “truck” gun,

So why bother bluing it?

 

[oneeyedpete]

Because its still a S&W revolver and all S&W revolvers deserve it!

 

[lightstar_actual]

What did they refinish it with? Cerakote? Looks like a Melonite finish or something.

Beadblast and blue, entire pistol.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Here is a link to a Mark Novak (Anvil Gunsmithing) YouTube regarding rust bluing. It’s worth a watch, and if interested, he has many more going into the details. Worth the time to watch, and not hard, should you want to try it yourself.

 

[rwsmith]

What's the best non-ammonia product to use in this situation?

CLP, but SOME have ammonia. Ballistol is good. Others I would try are Wipeout Foaming Bore and SC-14.

 

[Drem]

I sent S&W my 15-4 back in March before I found out they changed their bluing process. When I received the letter with the cost I decided to go with the bright polish in hopes that I will be happy with the end result.

I called last week and it is supposedly being processed. Waiting each day now to see the charge come through my bank.

 

[b737lvr]

I sent S&W my 15-4 back in March before I found out they changed their bluing process. When I received the letter with the cost I decided to go with the bright polish in hopes that I will be happy with the end result.

I called last week and it is supposedly being processed. Waiting each day now to see the charge come through my bank.

It’s going to be a while, have patience and just wait.

 

[dmn57]

CLP, but SOME have ammonia. Ballistol is good. Others I would try are Wipeout Foaming Bore and SC-14.

Thanks. Got to poking around in the junk box and found a can of MC-7 that says 'ammonia free' right on the label...duh.

 

[Jcon72]

Do not use Hoppes #9 or any ammonia product on guns blued with the new S&W process. It will turn plum color.

IMO this should be completely unacceptable! Both products are commonly used for gun cleaning, and they need to find a consumer-friendly solution for the bluing process. Don't 3rd party gunsmiths do (better) bluing jobs all the time without the limitation of not being able to use Hoppe's #9 or ammonia?

 

[kbm6893]

IMO this should be completely unacceptable! Both products are commonly used for gun cleaning, and they need to find a consumer-friendly solution for the bluing process. Don't 3rd party gunsmiths do (better) bluing jobs all the time without the limitation of not being able to use Hoppe's #9 or ammonia?

I agree. A gun that can't be cleaned using Hoppes #9 is not acceptable. Not to mention most people don't even know that Hoppes has ammonia. Most start up gun cleaning kits in the sporting goods stores have Hoppes #9. The cleaning kit that I was issued in the police academy was a Hoppes #9 kit.

 

[Malkovich]

S&W has a 19-3 and I'm waiting for my number to come up. It's really an experiment on my part to see how they do. They will give me their evaluation and the cost of the work for my approval. Stay tuned and I will report. They have two basic options, standard blue or high polish.

Did you ever get a price from S&W?

 

[Malkovich]

View attachment 756682
I had this Model 19 refinished by them last year. I’m happy with it. It was rough with a lot of wear. Should have done a before and after.

That’s bad to the bone !

 

[Drem]

I sent my 15-3 in earlier this year. While it was still waiting its turn I learned here that they changed their process. Not sure how the standard polish and bluing would look I decided to upgrade to the high polish in hopes I would be happy.

I got it back last month and to me I can see that it is "blacker" than my 586 but with the high polish I am quite happy.

Yeah I wish it had the same look as the day I bought it NIB. But as awful as it looked after the police recovered it I'm glad she is nice and shiny again.

 

[CamW]

My gunsmith has sent several firearms to Hot Flash Refinishing, they do an excellent job.

HOME - Hot Flash Refinishing