629 help/slight disappointment

[Bigeclipse]

I ordered a "new" 629-6 classic with 5" barrel from gunbroker. first revolver for me and first time using gun broker. well it came in yesterday and I have to say I was slightly disappointed. at first I thought it was used because the trigger and hammer seemed blackened and dirty. upon further inspection we decided it was indeed new. the forcing cone, cylinder, barrel and everything looked new. my ffl then explained to me the trigger and hammer were hardened which can cause the discoloration. is there anything I can do to maybe polish them to make them look more like the frame? I cannot pick the gun up from my ffl until my pistol amendment comes back. I can take pictures then but for now I hope my discription will be enough. any thoughts?

 

[OKFC05]

is there anything I can do to maybe polish them to make them look more like the frame?

Sure, it is your gun, and you can do what you want. If you want to polish it bright, stay away from the working surfaces so the function remains. Get it gold plated if that turns you on.
We more experienced S&W fans know what the color is and appreciate a factory gun in original condition, so don't expect much sympathy from us, if that matters to you.

My advice to all beginners with their first whatever gun is to learn to shoot and appreciate it first before redesigning it. After that, you may have a different opinion.

 

[littlebass]

The case hardened steel is generally thought of as more desirable than the shiny polished MIM parts that come on most of the newer guns. Not necessarily from a cosmetic perspective but from a quality of material perspective. The case hardened parts are more expensive for the factory to produce which is likely the main reason for their disappearance and switch to MIM parts years ago. I personally prefer the look of the case hardened trigger and hammer and didn't realize they could still be had on a new production gun.

 

[Silvergoose]

BigEclipse, Your gun, your rights. As my father told me years ago, learn about, before you talk about and ask before you do.

Good Luck

 

[Bigeclipse]

Sure, it is your gun, and you can do what you want. If you want to polish it bright, stay away from the working surfaces so the function remains. Get it gold plated if that turns you on.
We more experienced S&W fans know what the color is and appreciate a factory gun in original condition, so don't expect much sympathy from us, if that matters to you.

My advice to all beginners with their first whatever gun is to learn to shoot and appreciate it first before redesigning it. After that, you may have a different opinion.

I appreciate the answers...but would like to make a few comments. this may be my first revolver...but it is not my first pistol
I have been shooting for years. thousands of rounds through my m&p, xd, and beretta fs. I reload to shoot cheaper...so I have been around the block. I have researched about the mim parts and trigger hardening since seeing my ffl. and I do get that some desire that more. my issue is the blackening is quite dark compared to the finish AND it is not even. some parts of the trigger are darker than others. almost looks dirty or has grease on it. maybe I can order new trigger and hammer for asthetics. keep old trigger and hammer to maintain value of the gun if I ever choose to sell it.
also...if this is true hardening and they got rid of that years ago...how is this a new gun? maybe its a factory left over.

 

[11e40]

true color case hardening colors are light & dark colors & different colors also. I would prefer case hardened hammers & triggers over mim any day. hth.

 

[stackofhay]

+1 on liking the multi-color look of case hardened parts!

 

[Bigeclipse]

true color case hardening colors are light & dark colors & different colors also. I would prefer case hardened hammers & triggers over mim any day. hth.

I have to say I dissagree...but again I am new to revolvers maybe it will grow on me

 

[OKFC05]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, truly.
Here's some of the "dark and uneven" old-fashioned custom case hardening available:
Case Hardening

 

[qballwill]

Keep in mind that if you order a new trigger and hammer, they may have to be fitted by a gunsmith. MIM parts have made the parts more uniform and require less if any hand fitting, but they still may not be the drop in parts that people are used to with todays plastic guns. Its your gun, so do with it as you please, but the case coloring is perfectly acceptable and preferred by many members of the board.

Congrats

Ohhhh Yeah, we need pics when you get your gun!

 

[blackpowder30]

Sounds like your 629-6 is like mine. Although there are no case hardened items that are just alike, you can take a look at mine. If yours looks something like whats in this photo, you got the real item. I have autos too and none of the triggers are case hardened. Pictures are a thousand words.

 

[buck460XVR]

Many of the P.C. 629s have polished triggers/hammers, and may be a easy fix. Probably not a cheap one tho. I'd contact S&W and maybe see if they could replace them while doing a trigger job and kill two birds with one stone.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

But isn't the coloring of the MIM trigger and hammer done intentionally just for the appearance of looking similar to the old truly case hardened parts??

 

[Bigeclipse]

Sounds like your 629-6 is like mine. Although there are no case hardened items that are just alike, you can take a look at mine. If yours looks something like whats in this photo, you got the real item. I have autos too and none of the triggers are case hardened. Pictures are a thousand words.

it doesn't look quite as obvious as that...it is more a gun metal gray with a couple darker spots. your version does highlight what I am talking about though

 

[TAROMAN]

This is the look that S&W tries to emulate on the new MIM parts:

Usually falls far short.
A better choice might be to have the T&H hard chromed like S&W used to do:

 

[MattJames]

What are the differences between case hardened and chrome hardened? Are they case hardened first and then hard chromed over it, or...something else?

 

[blackpowder30]

You might want to consider buck460XVRs comment on PC services. I thought the double action of my 629 too difficult to maintain good trigger control. So I sent it to the PC for an action job and an 80% mainspring installation. They also installed a lighter rebound spring. My bill was $104.00. The action is awesome. I expect I'll get my PC money back if I ever sell it. Be aware, you could be without your new gun for a month of two.

 

[TAROMAN]

What are the differences between case hardened and chrome hardened? Are they case hardened first and then hard chromed over it, or...something else?

The older guns had hard chrome over forged, hardened steel
Hard chrome would just as well plate MIM parts.
Was probably dropped as a cost-cutting measure.

As it was hard chromed previously:

As its not done now:

There are plenty of hard chrome shops that can plate your parts.
If it were mine, I would have them hard chromed rather than buffing them bright.

 

[Badquaker]

The multi-colored look is correct.

If you want a different look, pay to replace/plate what you have.

 

[Gyrene6891]

I really do not mind the differentcolor, I look at the gun when I pick it up to holster it. look at it when I clean it. Don't pay attention to it when I draw or shoot ...