I hope im on the right forum to ask this. I just picked up a J frame model 36 today at the local pawn shop. Its in ruff shape on one slide. The bluing is bad. The other looks fairly good. The metal is slick with no rust pits anywhere. The guy told me that it had sat in a foam box for several years and caused this. I figured for $280, it would be a good project gun to try the Duracoat paint on. My question is, the serial number is J6106XX. Is there any reason I shouldn't refinish this and what year was it made? Thanks for your help. Im kinda new to this stuff. Ill try to post a pic soon.

Made in 77 or 78

Thanks for your help.

Sounds like an ideal project gun. I ran across a Mod 19-4 a few years ago in a similar situation. Literally new gun, but left in a soft zip case after getting wet in a house fire (didn't get near the fire). It had pretty sever rust and finish damage, but the pitting wasn't too deep. Tore it down and the inside was fine, so sent it to Metaloy in Berryville Arkansas with instructions to leave the entire top rib black. I think it turned out pretty decent.


The price I paid and the cost of the re-finish total less than what it would have cost to buy a like new 19-4.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244