Has anybody refinshed a 3rd Gen?

mlk18 · #1 03-04-2010, 02:46 AM

I am thinking about refinishing or coating a couple of my 3rd Gen Smith & Wesson's and am curious if anyone else has done this. I am specifically thinking about the stainless parts, slide, etc. If so what finish did you use? How well has it worn? And of course pics would be nice. Thanks.

jerseyshoreshot · #2 03-04-2010, 08:42 AM

I have had three pistols, all stainless satin or matte finish, bead blast refinished by the respective manufacturer, either Smith & Wesson or Sig Sauer. In each instance, I have been extremely happy with the result. This pistol looked new, and there was no damage to the grips or sights. Write a letter to the Gunsmith and tell him exactly what you want done or what area of the pistol has a scratch or blemish of concern, and within reason they can uniformly refinish it. One pistol had what seemed to be a bad casting mark on the dust cover and it came out.

Good Luck,

JSS

5906fan · #3 03-04-2010, 09:18 AM

I've done strip-downs and glass beading 2 5906, a 5903 (came out looking as new but no gouges were present just scuffmarks)
and spray&bake after abrasive blasting and cleaning with Norells on 910 and 5904. actually did 2-tone, looked fine. the 2 toned got lots of favorable comments. Moly Resin so far has held up great even on slide to frame surfaces.

calynn · #4 03-04-2010, 10:51 AM

This may help...

My take on the S&W CS45

Big Cholla · #5 03-04-2010, 11:24 AM

mlk18: Just as an experiment to see what "Duracoat" was all about, I painted (gun blue) the slide on my everyday-carry 3913 about two years ago. It is holding up well and I really like the two tone look. .... Big Cholla

mlk18 · #6 03-04-2010, 10:42 PM

What I am looking to do is make a couple of my 3rd Gens into two tone guns. I have a 5943 that is just begging for a satin black slide and polished barrel. I may even make my 4506-1 into a 5" CQB(ish). Sounds like most finishes will cover stainless steel just fine.

Jgordito · #7 03-05-2010, 04:26 PM

I have a 4567 that is already 2 tone. I am going to send it back to S&W to re finish the slide. I'll post before and after pics when I get it back

vulcan762 · #8 03-05-2010, 06:24 PM

plenty of posts....NO pictures. *sigh*

redleg10 · #9 03-06-2010, 09:02 AM

Here is a 1076 LE trade in that I bead blasted. You can do your own for around $100.

vulcan762 · #10 03-06-2010, 11:35 AM

Very nice. Im surprised that the laser etched "Caution: refer to instruction manual" message held up so well on the side of the slide. How did you blast yours for $100? I know its not a difficult process but you would still need a compressor, and media. Just curious as to what and how others are doing theirs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redleg10

Here is a 1076 LE trade in that I bead blasted. You can do your own for around $100.

Ed333 · #11 03-06-2010, 12:07 PM

I purchased my 3906 from an owner who had sent it to Walt Birdsong for the Black T finish, mags included. I have fired it a bunch, the finish is holding up well, looks great.

bad_man_ one · #12 03-06-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulcan762

Very nice. Im surprised that the laser etched "Caution: refer to instruction manual" message held up so well on the side of the slide. How did you blast yours for $100? I know its not a difficult process but you would still need a compressor, and media. Just curious as to what and how others are doing theirs.

I use a 3.5 hp / 150 psi max oil-less Black Max / Coleman Powermate air compressor with about a 50 Gallon tank.
I purchased a small glass bead blaster tank form Harbor Freight Tools.
If anybody needs a "touch up" on a Stainless component, pm me if your local to central CT.
Regards,
BM1

Ogandydancer · #13 03-06-2010, 09:46 PM

Not to hi-jack the thread butd, has anyone had a 5903 TSW re-done. Especially the matte stainless with the black wording (and I asswume this is either etched or some type of screen printing). If so who did it and how did it come out?

dacoontz · #14 03-06-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgordito

I have a 4567 that is already 2 tone. I am going to send it back to S&W to re finish the slide. I'll post before and after pics when I get it back

I have one also that needs some work on the slide. Let me know how this goes. Although, I would assume that this would decrease the value as it would be a refinish. Granted, these aren't really old guns som maybe it doesn't matter as much. Will the factory mark the slide with something to show that it had been refinished? Anyone have any input on this?

Daniel #2322

jr19703 · #15 03-07-2010, 03:27 PM

Stock verses Alumahyde 2 finish color is close. Both 4043. The refinished pistols is the one on the right and the second pic. Sorry for the dirty rag.

Jason

dbarale · #16 03-08-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5906fan

I've done strip-downs and glass beading 2 5906, a 5903 (came out looking as new but no gouges were present just scuffmarks)
and spray&bake after abrasive blasting and cleaning with Norells on 910 and 5904. actually did 2-tone, looked fine. the 2 toned got lots of favorable comments. Moly Resin so far has held up great even on slide to frame surfaces.

I would love to see that two tone job, do you have any pics?

JamesArthur60 · #17 03-08-2010, 04:08 PM

This has been posted before, but since you asked, here is a Cerakote refinish coating (with the flat side polished) on my 3913.

Jgordito · #18 03-08-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacoontz

I have one also that needs some work on the slide. Let me know how this goes. Although, I would assume that this would decrease the value as it would be a refinish. Granted, these aren't really old guns som maybe it doesn't matter as much. Will the factory mark the slide with something to show that it had been refinished? Anyone have any input on this?

Daniel #2322

I don't ever plan on selling the gun so it's not a huge deal to me, but that is why I want to send it to the factory so it's at least accurate to the original finish. I'll let you know