OK, so I am told I am getting my Pre-Model 20 Heavy Duty back from David Chicoine this week. I have no idea what condition it is now in. When I sent it (over 4 years ago) the bluing was about 40% and it had some mechanical issues with end shake and a bubba accurizing job that did not go well, but very fixable So who is now recommended to do this type of work? I would like to get the project done. I have looked into Cylinder and Slide and Ford's Custom refinishing. Any other options for a top notch restoration of this revolver?

Thx

krf

www.apwcogan.com

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Turnbull is the best there is in my experience-----for a TRUE restoration. Their prices will cause severe nosebleeds to any and all with a common attachment to their money----not so bad if you consider money as a renewable resource.

Fords turns out beautiful work, and I don't really understand how (or why) they do it for their price. Getting back to TRUE restorations, their top of line blue finish has too high a polish----as in higher than S&W "Bright Blue". That said, I reckon they could (and probably would) match/come closer to the S&W finish if you require it---and request it.

That's it. I know about factory work, Turnbull and Ford----period. The thought of having such work performed by anyone else is terrifying simply because of my ignorance. Were I to become educated----(hands on/eyes on) the work of others, I expect I'd find more than a few who could duplicate the quality----if they were willing to spend the time.

Ralph Tremaine

Welcome to the forum.

You're first decision is whether you want it refinished or restored, two very different services; refinish is just a new finish, restoration is a polish that matches the grit number originally done at the factory at the time your gun was made, polish strokes in the same directions, contours unchanged, stampings re-done like factory if needed, final lustre just as the factory original was, same shade of blue, color case hardening on the correct parts, etc., etc., etc.

You can't go wrong with either of those, but specify re-finish or restoration to compare price and lead-time, and to get what you want. If you want to pay a little more and wait longer there's Bowen Classic Arms or Turnbull.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

To the best of my knowledge, Turnbull doesn't work on S&Ws. I've known Doug for 30 years and received a batch of Color Case Hardening last month, also Charcoal bluing that doesn't match S&W. They would probably CCH hammers and triggers though.
If you look at the link you won't see S&W on "The List".
Turnbull Restoration & Manufacturing is #1 in Vintage Firearm Restoration & Metal Finishes

As with past experiences for referrals from this site, I'd highly recommend personal experience~
Happy New Year
Low Wall 17HMR: Action Charcoal blued, hammer, block and trigger CCH by Turnbull

I know Turnbull does color case on S&W hammers and triggers for Hamilton Bowen. Don't know if Doug does walk in jobs for retail customers.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Purely to get it back into proper operating condition, there are many who could do that. For an average but adequate re-bluing job, likewise. Most any medium to large city will have at least several capable gunsmiths who can do those jobs. If you want it to look like it just left the factory, not so many, and they won't be cheap. My personal feeling is that a Turnbull-type full restoration is not and cannot be warranted for almost all guns, unless of some very special interest, and even then, only for those who have very deep pockets. In most cases, you'd be money ahead in finding and buying the same gun in a more satisfactory original condition, or buying a new gun.

Turnbull doesn't do S&W's-----------------------???

My only first hand experience with Turnbull started with a phone call-----"Can you refinish a cylinder to match the rest of the gun?" (The gun in question was a S&W .44HE 4th Target.) The response: "Yes." So far, so good! Chapter Next: I went to Turnbull's during a subsequent visit to Watkins Glen-------with gun in hand. The answer this time, came from the man in charge of bluing (by whatever more proper title he may have used). His answer was no------and he went on to explain why----chapter and verse. He did (to put this into the proper/current context) offer to re-do the whole gun. Given the options of Turnbull or the factory (and the resultant difference in cost), I opted for the factory. The results were flat gorgeous!!!------and dirt cheap!!!!

That was the better part of ten years ago----perhaps a little more.


The moral of this story is time passes----and things change----usually for the worse-----more's the pity.

Ralph Tremaine

Turnbull told me they do not do S&W's. I had called them on a related project with a Marlin 1894. I agree that they are a bit salty but man, do they do nice work. I am already out about $1k with the previous experience, I have no problem spending more to get it done. I have worked with Hamilton Bowen before, I can give him a call. I found a few more places to call as well.

Thx,

krf

Not that I have anything to offer in this thread. But is it not a shame that in the entire USA there are no craftsmen that can repair these pieces of beauty? It's just a shame.

There are plenty of people than Can work on Smiths. I can, Toy Man can and I know half a dozen other guys that Can. There are simply better ways to make a living.
Look at the list of guns Turnbull does work on, folks are willing to pay better across the board for Winchester, Colt, Marlin, L.C. Smith restoration, and by and large they are easier to work on and parts more available.
A Colt collector friend recently told me he doesn't collect S&W because, "There are too many models, where do I start?" Similar situation with repair and restoration.

FWIW, I had a slightly tired M19-3 which S&W spruced right up, and then sent it down to Ford's for the master blue. It took 8 months and $270, but I am VERY pleased with the results.

I've had excellent results with S&W's repair work, but of course that was all on model-numbered newer revolvers.

That's how this mess got started....First place I called was S&W. The told me they would not work on guns made before 1958 and recommended I contact Mr. C. We all know how that worked out. I have a few companies on my short list. If anyone can talk me into or out of any, you input is welcome. They are..

Run-N-Iron
RGS Restorations
Accurate Plating & Weaponry
Fords
Cylinder & Slide
Bose's Gun Repair

Thx,

krf

krf,

You're first decision is whether you want it refinished or restored, two very different services.

You're kind of like asking for a good restuarant recommendation without telling us if you want steak, seafood, Chinese, or Italian food.

I've never heard of Run N Iron or heard any feedback about them on this or any other forum in the past 7 years.

RGS Restorations only limited feedback but nothing bad.

Accurate Plating & Weaponry's website says nothing about doing authentic restorations and sounds like they specialize in new High Tech finishes: have heard no feedback at all. So I would not even consider them if you want more then a refinish.

Fords gets nothing but rave reviews about their price, workmanship and getting exactly what you ask for; refinish or restoration. Especially good with S&Ws.

Cylinder & Slide does premium work at premium prices. They have reproduced entire vintage guns from scratch like the Colt 1911, that are so accurately and authentically machined and finished only the C&S name on them gives them away.

Bose's Gun Repair; I've never heard any feedback about them on this or any other forum in the past 7 years.

Hope that helps,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I would suggest you first see if there is anyone in your locality who has a good reputation and can perform the services you need, and check them out, looking at the quality of their workmanship. Any of the national reputation gunsmiths will probably put you on a long waiting list and will charge more.