686-4 Silhouette - Polished

[45Wheelgun]

I was able to procure this 686-4 6" Silhouette model. Sadly it was a bit finish challenged under the grips. Both on the side plate and the left side there was pitting from corrosion. Even worse someone in the past had remediated the damage with a Dremel Tool.

I took it to the range and it shot like a dream. It seems like it will take an entire day at the range in order to configure the front sight. Anyone have any experience configuring the Silhouette sight?

Since the finish was already messed up, I took it upon myself to polish it up. It may not look "factory" but it looks better than it did when it arrived here.

Fortunately I was able to leave the top alone as it had not been damaged.

 

[75Vette]

That's one helluva polish job. Cleaned up real nice. Buffing wheel or by hand?

 

[klind45]

holy cow

 

[SLT223]

Nice! It's always impressive to me to see how much luster stainless can produce.

On another note, I think Dremel Tools should be made to short out the moment they make contact with a firearm.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Normally not a fan, but this one looks great, and your photography is excellent. Can you tell us about your technique and say what you use for a camera and lighting? It takes some serous neglect to get a stainless steel side plate to corrode so bad it pits. Did you do anything to the top strap, it looks so pristine, like it's been re-blasted.

 

[g8rb8]

The nicely polished surface contrasts beautifully with the black grips, the black front & rear sights, and the case hardening of the trigger and hammer. That thing really pops. Like Kernel Crittenden I am normally not a fan of polishing a brushed stainless finish but this looks outstanding - better than the original in my opinion.
John

 

[45Wheelgun]

That's one helluva polish job. Cleaned up real nice. Buffing wheel or by hand?

All done by hand, watching TV. Hand sanding using 800 grit wet/dry to start, smoothing out the dremel damage as well as the remaining pitting. Hand sanded through the 1000/1500/2000 progression. Finished with finger applied Flitz, and a coat of RenWax.

I found a set of factory K-frame finger groove round butt combats in the wood pile. They might end up on it.

The camera was a Nikon D3300 with flash unit turned off. I was using natural light from a northern facing window, which was over the shoulder of the camera lens. Camera on a tripod and I was using the macro programing mode as I was in a hurry. I sure there were much better configurations and methods to be used, but I am a hack as photographer.

I left the top of the gun untouched. In the very rear right corner it is a little "shiny" where the dremel with the buffing wheel attachment came up over the side. So faint you can't see it in the photo.

 

[deadi9mm]

nice 686 & polish job!

 

[asianfed]

That is BEAUTIFUL!!! Well done, sir.

 

[Helderberg]

Beautiful gun, workmanship and photography. Thank you for your post.
I hope you have many years of enjoyment with that beautiful firearm.
Frank.

 

[75Vette]

I think a set of Kuracs are in order Dave. A great gun and hours of polishing deserve some exotic wood.

 

[NealC]

You need to hang out your shingle with work like that. Very nicely done!

 

[MDMarauder]

Wow very nice, good job..

 

[Jamesatrange]

Job well done, it looks stunning.

 

[one eye joe]

YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB, .45Wheelgun ! ! ! PERSONALLY, I LIKE POLISHED STAINLESS GUNS. I WOULDN'T TOUCH A BEAD BLAST FINISH --LIKE ON A CS-1 (OTHER THAN IF IT NEEDED RESCUE , LIKE THIS ONE) BUT I POLISH ALL OF MY STAINLESS GUNS, NOT TO A HIGH DEGREE, JUST TO CLEAN THEM UP. NOTHING THAT I OWN IS RARE, AND I SHOOT AND DIRTY THEM ALL.……...

 

[SLT223]

I found a set of factory K-frame finger groove round butt combats in the wood pile. They might end up on it.

Might? Sir, please be reasonable and install those combats and share some pictures That will be a very impressive looking gun with a nice set of combats.

 

[45Wheelgun]

Here are some pictures with combats. I'm not sure I like the way they feel in my hand, and the quality of the wood leaves something to be desired.

 

[theoneff]

Never thought I hear myself say this, but in this case Im likin the black. Although some cocobolo could be in order. Or a black stained maple from ahrends. Nicest polish Ive ever seen on a smith. Good job, Theo

 

[45Wheelgun]

Never thought I hear myself say this, but in this case Im likin the black.

I have to say I agree. I really like the "black and white" look to it as well as the rubbers just feel better in my hand. It is back in the configuration that S&W intended it to be.

 

[SLT223]

I think it looks pretty impressive either way. There is a bit more going on when introduce the color of the combats. Thanks for taking the time to snap the shots and share. I appreciated it