Hi:
Has anyone had a S&W refinished by Ford's ?
1. Opinions ?
2. Cost ?
3. Time ?


Thanks,
Jimmy

NOT a S&W but I had a 1952 Marlin 35 caliber waffle top blued. At that time they were ONLY taking walk ins as they were that busy. I found them honest, as they talked me out of the master re-blue, saving me money AND getting it back to me in 2 weeks. The work was top notch. I wouldn't expect that turn around time, maybe they took pity on me needing it fast for a handicapped hunt??? The drive there is worth the hour + it took me, just to look at some of the work in their display cases. Their prices & options are on their web site. I'd say to take the drive there with your gun & talk to them.

I had a Colt Diamondback polished nickel plated by Ford's a few years back, and Ford's nickel finish makes factory handgun nickel finishes look like amatuer hour.
We dropped the revolver off in person on our way up north (to visit my children/grandchildren), during mid-June.
The Diamondback returned home in mid-December of that same year, delivered directly to my residence in SWFL.

Always remember this; if a gun repair shop is super busy, it proves they are highly competent.

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It is....what it is!

Have only heard great things about Fords, no personal experience.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

They do more than refinish. IMO if you live within a 2 hour drive, it should be on your short list of places to see. The only downside of a visit is that you have to look at the display guns with your eyes, NOT your hands.

My nickel plated Desert Eagle which are all done by Fords is the best nickel finish I have ever seen .

Ford's refinished this tribute Pinto based on a 1956 S-prefixed 3-1/2 inch .357 Magnum.



It is flawless. The nickel is perfect. The blue, though a little lighter shade than what we're used to from the mothership, is deep and lustrous and very attractive.

The metal polishing has left the lettering deep, the edges sharp, and the screw holes flat. I couldn't ask for a nicer job.

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Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

I don't know how recently the work was done for the above posters, but there's been a couple of threads over on the Colt Forum, expressing MAJOR complaints about recent (last year or two) work done by Ford's. Apparently nowhere near the same company that it was a few years ago. Based on reports from posters there that I respect, I'd never use them.

Best regards,

Jimmy,

They're over in Crystal River. Maybe it would be worth the drive to go over and meet them for yourself, get an eyeball on the operation, look at examples of current work, etc.

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Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

The complaints on the Colt Forum were from several members who sent Pythons in to be refinished and a couple to have the roll stamps refreshed.

Ford's WERE famous for their "wet look" brilliant Colt Royal Blue level refinishes.
What these people got back were absolutely ruined Pythons.
The polishing looked like it had been done with sand paper, and the roll stamp refresh job looked like a kid cut it with a cold chisel and an electric marker.
No BS, the stamping refresh was just inexcusable.

The info was that Ford's had hired a new worker and he was an out and out gun butcher.
Since then, we haven't read reviews from anyone else, so until we do, we don't recommend Ford's.
Possibly it was a one-time thing, but I wouldn't risk a valuable gun without some current reviews from people who know the difference between a hack job, and an expert job.

Companies who are recommended for a old style S&W mirror polish are Glenrock and possibly Ron's.

Glenrock Blue

Ron's Gun Shop - New & Used Gun Sales & Service. Concealed Carry

Master blue on a 19-3 a couple of years ago; took about 3 months, nice job. Expensive, about $275 or so as I recall. But that was then; things can change...

I used them last year for a couple of projects. Their work is quality and will do what you ask, they cannot always perform miracles though. I had a deluxe bluing job and a master bluing job. Was very satisfied with both projects.

bwade

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

I had my Model 57 go from a blemished blue finish to an absolute pristine nickle finish last year from Ford’s.

I am an absolute perfectionist and I can tell you, it is spotless. You could not ask for a better job.

I spoke with the mom, the daughter and son during the process, and they were all very nice and patient with me. I was antsy to get it back but the hurricane came through and understandably delayed things a few more weeks.

I don’t know what happened to the Python guys but I would not hesitate to send anything to them. Matter of fact, I’d do it quick while such a good operation still exists if it were me.

In the second photo, it is the revolver on the top. The nickle finish they did looks better than the factory one below it on my 29-3, although I bought it used so who knows what it had been through.

I heartily recommend them - and I’m way above being picky!

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UPDATE:

I purchased a 1980 6 1/2” nickle P&R Model 29-2 Saturday. My favorite iteration of a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum.

The finish is perfect except for some cloudy streaks here and there that look like it was stored with some sort of solvent still left on it - black powder solvent, maybe. Three hours going over the whole gun, side plate off and back on again, Simichrome, REN wax, the whole works. It will not come off sadly..

So I’m going to shoot it until November, then clean it, pull the stocks off and send it to Ford’s to be renickled. It will come back looking like new again, just as my .41 did, 3-4 months later, and I can resight it back in if it needs in come Spring. It will give me something o look forward to.

So I’m standing behind my earlier statement. You can rely on them to do a good job.