Beater guns?

My Stained Stainless 2206 when I got it took quite a bit of cleanup work on both the frame and slide to make it look presentable, although it still has some faint blemishes. In the then picture you can even see stained on fingerprints on the trigger guard. In the now picture the blems are toward the front of the frame. Not sure of the source of the stains but... they are what they are.
It is a great shooter and I have already made it plain as day that this will be my holdout last gun in my collection as it is my favorite. It has a few upgrades now.
Then
cOsnIuCl.jpg

Now
POupXFFl.jpg

MrlBzjsl.jpg
Beautiful restoration/reconditioning job!
 
When I was saving up for, & seeking a decent S&W 1917 (or Brazil 1937) - I happened to see This Nickel plated S&W K frame .38 spl. At my Friends Pawnshop. IT set back my savings - but I had to have it.
About 50 years ago I knew an elderly detective who was on desk duty. He had one exactly like this one in a chamois leather shoulder holster, that he kept locked in his desk all day. I'm always noticing shiny things - so he finally let me examine it.
It was NOT your common duty pistol. He seemed pleased that I was impressed with it. l eventually learned that HE had quite a reputation, & a colorful career - So mild you'd never have guessed it of him -
Fast Forward - Maybe you can Imagine my surprise when I came across this survivor - IT is just like the revolver I lusted for all those years ago, I couldn't put it down. The Finish on this one is older, & the bore is dark with minor pitting, the SA action is buttery smooth, & the SA trigger is perfect. I came away with IT that day + a LNIB Taurus Snub Nose .357 - for $300. I had to start saving-up all over again. NO complaints, The old K frame is accurate & enjoyable. I love both purchases made that day, & even eventually found an affordable S&W 1937 (Brazil Contract) .45 DA Revolver - that was delivered to Brazil the month & year of my Birth (1946).
The majority of my handguns were used, any money spent was dear to me. Some might be called Beaters - but none are junk. All are Shooters - & not too shabby. The ones I've kept are like old friends & family.
See my Pix of the actual Characters of this true story.
What's in the flask?
 
Wear on a gun hopefully indicates honest use. That tells stories. I appreciate a safe queen too, but I prefer a well maintained user.
That's the kind I like, too....Here are a couple of S&W's I worked on, and the Colt WW1 1911 I mentioned in an earlier reply. The S&W's (Model 13-2 and 639) just need a little clean-up, and I do still have the original 639 wood grips, but the 1911 I just cleaned up and did some spring/trigger replacement for function/safety. 1000007492.webp1000005314.webp1000000973.webp
 
Stainless steel S&Ws are the easiest to bring back from the dead. They can start out looking uglier than original sin. But, some light filing and careful sanding to address exterior scratches and dents, then steel surface brushing for revolvers and sandblasting for autos; et voila, looks new.
IMG_9588.webpIMG_9592.webp

Gave the 3906 a trigger guard nose job, too, while I was re-doing the pistol anyway:
IMG_9567.webp
 
Last edited:
There are beaters, and then there is honest wear. My definition of a beater is one that probably requires repair to be functional, or there is wear/damage that compromises function.

Honest wear is just that. It all works, the outside just clearly indicates "this was a working man's gun." This insides indicate said working man cared enough to maintain it in working order.

I'm interested in both. :)

(And I've always wondered why those ribbed tank undershirts were called "wife beaters." I just know that's what they have been called all my life.)
 
Smith & Wesson will repair/refinish any S&W gun, if it has a model # on it. They will not renew nickel finishes. I believe they have 2 levels of repair, Normal and Show Quality. I sent 2 model 10s to them some time back, it took several months, but I sent them 2 awfully beat up guns from AIM Surplus, and they basically sent back 2 new revolvers. One didn't even index properly when the trigger was pulled, ergo the cylinder didn't rotate and match to the barrel on double action. What I got back was 2 very nice, shiny and functional revolvers. It took $220/each and about 6 months of waiting. Call the Performance Center number, they'll send you a FedEx label, box the gun up and take it to your FedEx location, tell 'em it's a gun, they're cool with it. I'm not a refinisher. If I attempted something like that, it'd be a disaster. They're very nice on the phone too!
 
Last edited:
With a good holster, cover garment and proper gun handling even an EDC gun.............. never needs to become a "beater"...... blued guns can show some honest wear at the muzzle and high spots, and stainless may get some shiny spots; but they are not "beater's"
 
This is what I ended up with for my search for a beater to build a fitz. It already had the trigger guard cut, so I don't have to hear the about all the opinions on that. I haven't started on my plan as of yet, to include shortening the barrel, as I sent for a letter. Again, if it's a mob gun or has history, then the search for a beater will start again. LOL...
 

Attachments

  • 20250722_133122.webp
    20250722_133122.webp
    542.1 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250722_133146.webp
    20250722_133146.webp
    584 KB · Views: 0

Latest posts

Back
Top