586 back from factory refinish

[MacheteSteve]

Well, after about two months of waiting, I finally got my 586-3 back from Smith&Wesson. I sent it in for the standard rebluing, as it looked like it had been dragged through a parking lot several times and left out in the the rain for a bit (I bought it really cheap as a project gun). Let me say, it turned out really nice. This poor phone picture doesn't do it justice, but it's all I can do for now.

The grips were in pretty bad shape, but I cleaned them up and refinished them while the gun was away and although they aren't fully done, I think they'll turn out pretty nice, yet with plenty of "character". The only problem is that the don't fit the frame very well. The wood seems to have shrunk and warped a bit. Has anyone tried glass/epoxy bedding grips to get them to fit tightly? I know it'd be a lot easier to just get some new ones, but I like the idea of keeping the originals, and already have a fair amount of work into them. Any tips?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Hillbilly77]

That is a nice looking re-blue. It gives me something to look forward to, I just sent my no-dash in a couple weeks ago for the same thing.

 

[DeeBee]

Looks great!

 

[Imaposer]

NICE!

I did bed a pair of Eagle Secret Service grips to a Ruger SP101 once. It was quite a few years ago so I can't remember any specific worthy of giving any "tips". But, it was pretty straight forward and makes the grip panels fit like they grew there.

 

[sceva]

Looks Good.

I have used two part epoxy like JB Weld to bed stocks to a frame and eliminate movement. All it takes is a little bit in the right areas.

DO NOT FORGET TO WAX THE FRAME or use a mold release.

 

[Imshootin]

What do they charge for a standard re-blue?
I've got K-22 & K-38 Masterpieces that were my Dad's that I've considered getting re-finished a few times.
From your picture, the standard re-blue looks pretty nice.

 

[MacheteSteve]

The standard rebluing cost me $220 plus $14 shipping. I sent it in around the middle of August, got an estimate a little more than a month after that, and just got it back yesterday. The markings on the barrel are noticeably shallower now, since the barrel was really scratched up, but the markings on the side look almost new. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it, and don't know what the "high polish blue" would get you. I don't think I'd want a gun any shinier than this.

To those who epoxy bedded the grips, what did you use as a release agent? Something special, or would wax or silicone spray be good enough?

Steve

 

[autocar56]

I look forward for the day I can send mine in, sure came out nice.

Steven M.