629-3 Refinish Question

[rimfireshooter]

Hello,

When I first got into shooting, I bought a used 629-3 on GB. It came with some very annoying scratches on it. In retrospect it looks like someone else tried to polish it because the laser marks (the logo and "629 classic" are kind of light). Also the screws used to come loose and after trying to tighten them several times a bit of blue Loctite finally did the trick.

I have toyed with the idea of selling it locally and buying a 29 but the trigger is perfect. I can hold the 9 ring on the B8 target at 25 yds pretty reliably and I am happy with that.

I was wondering if I sent it to Smith for a refinish what would happen to the laser marks (the S&W logo and the "629 classic"). Would they reapply them? Has anyone sent a gun like this back to Smith?

Thanks,
Russ

 

[rct269]

Hello,

When I first got into shooting, I bought a used 629-3 on GB. It came with some very annoying scratches on it. In retrospect it looks like someone else tried to polish it because the laser marks (the logo and "629 classic" are kind of light). Also the screws used to come loose and after trying to tighten them several times a bit of blue Loctite finally did the trick.

I have toyed with the idea of selling it locally and buying a 29 but the trigger is perfect. I can hold the 9 ring on the B8 target at 25 yds pretty reliably and I am happy with that.

I was wondering if I sent it to Smith for a refinish what would happen to the laser marks (the S&W logo and the "629 classic"). Would they reapply them? Has anyone sent a gun like this back to Smith?

Thanks,
Russ

The first wonder is to be certain S&W will refinish the gun. There was a time, in my time, when they would refinish any, or damn near any gun they ever made. Those times are looooooooong gone!

Job 1 is to determine that first wonder. If it's a go, then that's your best bet. Whether or not it's a good bet remains to be seen. I've had two guns refinished by the factory---1960 and the 1990's. Both were absolutely flawless---indistinguishable from an original finish. That was then, and now is now. Now we are barraged by fussing and fuming about poor service---and poor service work. Were I to be considering factory service work, that would scare the pants off me.

Were I to be wanting to improve the appearance of any given later gun, I'd be inclined to buy a better gun----and then sell the beater.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[shawn mccarver]

They will refinish the 629-3. They always do an excellent job on finishing. I prefer the "matte" over the original "satin" on stainless, but that's just me. I would not worry about the laser markings, but if it bothers you, call them up and ask if they will either preserve or re-apply the markings. I think they will.

 

[M29since14]

If you do inquire, please let us know the response. It’s an interesting question. An authoritative answer, from the service department, would be good to have.

 

[BDC5109]

Hi Russ,

you want to cling to the laser engraving or etched text logo's, but, if you consider to loose that and just want your gun to be shiny and fresh, than consider beadblasting.
There are several versions of it, so do get informed.
The old school beadblasting will defenitly rip your logo's of but there is also a way where they use water filled with glass beats.
This method does not take of material, downside, you still will see the scratches. It takes real thorough preparation befor to makes this last way succesfull (get it scratch free by sanding with 800 or so befor blasting), but afterwards it will be like new.
Done it twice, awesome!
Doesn't cost a fortune, and you still have your beloved trigger.
...and buy that fresh gun anyhow ;-)

best regards,

Hans Peter

 

[Bald1]

I second bead blasting. Assuming a factory job is as expensive as I think it’ll be

 

[cerescorubi]

Refinish

My wife and I each have a 629-4 5" Classic. We carried them when hiking fishing etc. in Big Bear country. They became a little worn and she wanted hers refininished. We had the the factory do this and other work to it maybe 20 years ago. None the less we had them bright polish her gun. Then instead of redoing the lazer markings they put on a S & W side plate with original imprint marking and remarked the barrel with the older roll markings. I have never put a picture on this forum before but it made a striking looking revolver. Especially compared to mine.