Several years ago, I picked up a Model 65-3, that was advertised as a former guard gun. I took a chance and bought it, with the idea in mind of polishing the gun to improve its looks, Well to say that it had been badly abused, would be a gross understatement. It was totally trashed. Below is a pic in the ad and the other pic is what it looked like when I received it. It apparently was carried a lot, shot little and horribly abused. These two pics don't really do the condition justice.
Centerfire Systems 686 rescue - update 2: RANGE TIME
- Thread starter PatriotX
- Start date
Here are a few more pics of the restoration. The first three show the worst damage to the frame, before, during and after. The final pic shows this area upon completion. Lord only knows how this damage occurred, but suffice it to say the entire gun showed signs of abuse/neglect. I wish I could post all the pics of the different areas of the gun, but alas it would take up way too much space. I originally purchased the gun in 2011 and it took over a year to complete. Mainly because I would work on it for a few days, then put it aside, then work on it some more. Sometimes a month or two would pass. In the end I decided to restore the original finish and am glad I did. I still have the gun and it is one of my prized possessions!
Attachments
OP
Nice save, and I'm sure you're proud of the outcome !
dirty & hairy
Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2016
- Messages
- 443
- Reaction score
- 1,184
Bravo!!!
Well done.
Well done.
Last edited:
Fisherman
Member
Beautiful gun.
I have taken apart many semi-autos but I have great admiration for any one who do that to a revolver and then put back all the parts.
I have taken apart many semi-autos but I have great admiration for any one who do that to a revolver and then put back all the parts.
Boy, looks like it is totally worn out. You should send it to me for proper disposal.LOL
Very nice!
It is always nice to see how a diamond comes out of a rock
It is always nice to see how a diamond comes out of a rock
Piwo
Member
I didnt think it was possible to get a gun THAT clean !
dmthomp32
Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2016
- Messages
- 905
- Reaction score
- 1,309
I have send to feel that way but honestly it's not nearly as bad as it seems. Do it once and you'll be fine, lots of YouTube videos to help you if need be.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Did you add the metal to the damaged area? You did a nice job adding it then reshaping it. It is one thing to know what to do it another to be able to do it! Really nice work.
raygixxer89
Member
Dang, OP. You did a great job! I almost bought that one when I received that email. Dangit!
You made that little beauty shine!
You made that little beauty shine!
No metal added, just a sufficient amount removed. Here's two more areas that received the TLC treatment.
Attachments
OP
Update:
Original combats were refinished by Curt Harlow [44magget] from the forum and look great. They were beyond my ken, so thankfully turned them over to the experienced hand.
Original combats were refinished by Curt Harlow [44magget] from the forum and look great. They were beyond my ken, so thankfully turned them over to the experienced hand.
OP
It took a bit of time, but Mother Nature finally smiled long enough to take this one to the range.
It shot a bit low-and-right at first, a couple of turns with the SAT and it shot to POA.
This one came out all-right.
It shot a bit low-and-right at first, a couple of turns with the SAT and it shot to POA.
This one came out all-right.
I really love the clear pictures and it's fantastic to see the before and after.
I do have one nit pick and I send this in good faith, I say it to open discussion on it, for the good of the revolver -- and if I am off base, or WAY off base, I'm certain that plenty will correct me.
I cringe when I see pictures of a fully snugged tight mainspring AND the side plate removed. I say this only because of the hammer stud, it's supposed to be supported on both sides, and the side plate bears that support when it is in place.
When the mainspring is tightened up, is this not stressing the hammer stud, which is now supported only on the left side?
That stud is really the one piece of a classic S&W revolver that you don't want to break. It's not a simple part to source and fit.
Again, maybe I'm just being too conservative. I won't remove a side plate with the mainspring tightened, and I will not tighten the strain screw with the side plate off.
Thoughts?
I do have one nit pick and I send this in good faith, I say it to open discussion on it, for the good of the revolver -- and if I am off base, or WAY off base, I'm certain that plenty will correct me.
I cringe when I see pictures of a fully snugged tight mainspring AND the side plate removed. I say this only because of the hammer stud, it's supposed to be supported on both sides, and the side plate bears that support when it is in place.
When the mainspring is tightened up, is this not stressing the hammer stud, which is now supported only on the left side?
That stud is really the one piece of a classic S&W revolver that you don't want to break. It's not a simple part to source and fit.
Again, maybe I'm just being too conservative. I won't remove a side plate with the mainspring tightened, and I will not tighten the strain screw with the side plate off.
Thoughts?
OP
I'm happy to learn and improve my procedures.
My Kuhnhausen manual showed side plate removal, then strain screw removal, followed by mainspring.
Reassembly in reverse order.
My Kuhnhausen manual showed side plate removal, then strain screw removal, followed by mainspring.
Reassembly in reverse order.
Wow! What a transformation. Nice score!
Protocall_Design
Vendor
To me, it's better to remove strain screw tension first. But you're probably still OK as long as you don't cycle the action with the sideplate off.
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
