Mirror Polished Stainless

BC38

BC38

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At the local gun show last weekend I came across this M60 that was SERIOUSLY shiny. I asked the guy behind the table "Is this nickle plated?" He said no, and proceeded to tell me how he had hand polished it using 1000, then 2000, then 2500 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper - like what you use when wet-sanding automotive paint.

SO, did this guy de-value of the gun by "refinishing" the stainless?
 
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Not really, that's what so great about stainless. you can take any polished gun back to a brushed factory look. some guys (and gals) just like the shiny look.

vinny
RVN 67-68
 
From a purely collector's standpoint, yes, the Model 60 was devalued by any change to the factory finish.

From a shooter's standpoint, it was neither devalued nor improved.

From the standpoint of someone who likes or prefers a mirror polish, or simply can't abide finish wear, value might be slightly increased.
 
I don't buy the polished ones. Why would someone altering a stock gun be a MORE VALUABLE thing?
 
The original M60s were mirror polished. DC7 should be along shortly with his photo of his beautiful original stainless gem.

I had my (May '79) 60 mirror polished by S&W's P.C. prior to having it engraved by Wayne D'Angelo.
04wv.jpg
 
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When they get polished like that it makes me wonder what else they did to it. De-valued for sure. If you want the shine then buy nickel...
 
Not to hijack this thread, but I have a Taurus model 445 (.44spe.) that is a stainless, mirror finish. What's the best way to obtain what I would call a satin finish?
Bead blast, steel wool, etc. etc?
Do not like shiney guns, but could not find any blued revolvers in .44 special of any brand (Charter As does not count).
 
Electraclyde said:
Not to hijack this thread, but I have a Taurus model 445 (.44spe.) that is a stainless, mirror finish. What's the best way to obtain what I would call a satin finish?
Click to expand...
Best do-it-yourself approach I've seen are Norton sanding pads -- green, red, gray and white -- and these two threads:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-sm...sh-stainless-without-losing-matte-finish.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/217398-how-remove-stop-cylinder-galling-ss-guns.html

PM me if you have questions.
 
I have to go with the "devalued" votes. If it's what floats your boat that's your business but I wouldn't consider a polished stainless gun.

Only circumstance in which I might consider one was if it was cheep enough I could afford to have it bead blasted back to a mat finish.

YMMV,
Dave
 
I don't mirror polish my stainless guns but I do like to polish them some. I find it makes them even easier to clean up. I do it by hand though and avoid power tools. I've seen guns were power tools were used and all the sharp edges are now round. That I would say would devalue any gun.
 
I don't really think it devalues the gun. Polished stainless has it's own beauty, and as stated it's easy to have it bead blasted or brushed again. Also old model 60's are all over the place. They aren't too hard to find for those wanting a collectors gun.
 
It definitely detracts from the value IMO. I've personally learned that the hard way. I have seen some that were done quite nice, and I kind of liked them myself, but any change from original finish can hurt resale value.
 
I have polished away matte finish on new guns since I do not like the finish. I never had any problem selling them afterwards. Matte finish is not as durable and shows scratches more. They are hard to touch up. I don't polish to a mirror bright but to me they look better. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
Making them shiny tends to remind of the movie The Fugitive, "Get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol..."
 
Not my cup of tea, but selling prices for polished stainless S & W revolvers seem to show some people are willing to pay a premium. I call it the "anti-tactical look" :).
 
I don't believe the gun was "devalued" at all. The value of the particular gun, at least to me, is what shape it's in and how bad do I want it. I have a model 60 that I polished to some degree (not mirror) and I think it looks good. To me, some of the bead blasting and "melting" are some of the worst things that can be done to a gun. And don't get me started on cerakote. I buy the guns I like, I maintain them well and will never part with any of them. After I die they may come up for grabs but until then.........
 
Tell me, is nickel as durable a finish as stainless steel? From what I've seen, the answer is a definite no. I don't own any nickel handguns, but I do own a factory polished Ruger Vaquero that has a mirror finish. I like it that way, since it reminds me of the cowboy heroes of my boyhood. HI HO SILVER! AWAY!

I recently used a little Simichrome and elbow grease on my 66-3 snubbie, and was pleasantly surprised at how it restored the dull finish to what I remember it being when I bought the gun new 24 years ago. It's not a mirror finish, and I doubt I ruined its value. Regardless, I don't intend to sell it, so I don't really care.
 
Not Smith...but...

I've owned a Taurus 357mag for years, polished. Recently was looking at all the matte guns and told a dealer how I dis-like the matte. He had a personal 44mag that came factory polished, I offered, we made a deal. Now I have two just the way I like them: polished and beautiful! Nickel is ok, but polished stainless is just way superior.



DR
 
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