This might be a stupid ? but I have a 20 year old 29 44 mag stainless that has gotten some rust over the years since it has been everywhere with me. I have a couple 629 stainless revolvers already and was thinking of doing somthing different. If not I will prouble go with bead blast, but would much prefer it blued. Can you have a stainless blued?
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Blueing a stainless gun?
- Thread starter mattt
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HAWKEYE10
Member
S&W does have have some blued SS guns. I think it's the model 686. I have seen some for sale on GB. I have no idea how they do it. Don
Engine49guy
Member
I believe those guns although called "Blue" have some sort of paint on finish.
Marshall 357
Member
I think some guns look better blued than stainless,it looks more classic to me.
Dan Cash
Member
Winchester used to blue stainless barrels by first plating the barrel with iron then bluing the iron. I would really think about it before launching this project.
stiab
US Veteran
My gunsmith offers complete bluing service with several shades available, and tells me he can blue stainless steel. I have not seen a SS item he has blued, but it tempts me on a 5946 I have.
scooter123
Member
I think that you may want to check the crane for the model number before doing anything else. The model 29 was never a stainless gun, it was either nickle plated or blued steel. Since your reporting a rust issue, I suspect that you may have a nickle plated model 29. If that is the case, the nickle plating can be removed and the gun then blued because the nickle plated frames are simple mild steel, not stainless. All that work won't be cheap, but if your willing to spend the money, it can be done.
As for blueing a stainless steel model 629, stainless steel will turn blue when exposed to heat and oxygen, but the resulting blueing is extremely thin and will wear at the lightest touch. So, it's not a good idea. A much better choice would be to use one of the paint products that are now available and fairly durable. IMO, a better option to restore the finish on a stainless gun is simply to wet sand the effected areas with a 1200 grit sandpaper and then use the appropriate grade of scotchbrite to duplicate the factory finish marks, of just give the gun a full polish.
As for blueing a stainless steel model 629, stainless steel will turn blue when exposed to heat and oxygen, but the resulting blueing is extremely thin and will wear at the lightest touch. So, it's not a good idea. A much better choice would be to use one of the paint products that are now available and fairly durable. IMO, a better option to restore the finish on a stainless gun is simply to wet sand the effected areas with a 1200 grit sandpaper and then use the appropriate grade of scotchbrite to duplicate the factory finish marks, of just give the gun a full polish.
keith44spl
Member
Matt,
Yes you can...
Below is a .44spl conversion of mine. I used a 624-3 barrel in stainless.
I use several stainless firearms that have been 'blued'
Su Amigo,
Dave
ColdBlueSteel
Member
Don't think I have ever seen a blued SS gun. I like the look.
Gearhead Jim
Member
I believe the cylinder on a 340 M&P is stainless, but it's finished in a very durable black color. S&W probably won't do your 629 that way, but someone else probably will. The big trick is finding someone who will use the proper process.
I have never heard of Winchester using blued SS, but Remington certainly did on their very early model 700's. Especially those in .17 Rem., and 7mm Rem mag. They thought that the SS would hold up better to the high velocity small bore concept better than blued carbon steel, but dropped SS after about 6-8 years of production once they realized that it wasn't necessary, and was a cost producing measure that wasn't needed.
This man in FLA has a very good reputation rivaling Ford's, and he does do bluing on SS guns. Here is a link to his site. Check out the middle row/ middle button-
Firearm Refinish and Restoration
This man in FLA has a very good reputation rivaling Ford's, and he does do bluing on SS guns. Here is a link to his site. Check out the middle row/ middle button
-Firearm Refinish and Restoration
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surfdog76
Member
You mean like this one?
Sold for $480: Smith & Wesson BLACK STAINLESS 686 One of 2500 NR : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
Description: This Revolver is One of a Special Run by S&W with Only 2500 Made in 1988 Only. The Finish is a Black Coating and Not Very Durable. The Original Finish is Black, with the Condition of this * 22 Year Old * Revolver being of Collector Quality and Very Ugly!
Model39
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I had a stainless Model 645 customized for me with the black finish. It holds up very well. The gun was made for me by one great gunsmith, and the black finish was done by Chad [email protected]
