Cleaning - scratches

[skwchock]

Any suggestions on how to clean up the scratches on a blued revolver? I have normal wear scratches on the barrel and frame and would like to try and get rid of them. Any ideas?

 

[dfariswheel]

Two choices with a third option...

1. A total refinish.
High cost and is never as good as the original finish. Lowers the value because the gun is no longer original.

2. Cold blue.
This is a very temporary cosmetic fix. It wears off fast, doesn't match the factory bluing, and tends to turn brown after a short time.
Most cold blues will leave stains around the area where it's applied that are permanent.

Option... live with the wear marks. All guns that are used or even handled get signs of wear.

 

[mauser9]

Agree with above! The "Gunfather" could help you out but might have to remortgage.

 

[stansdds]

Dfariswheel nailed it.

 

[chief38]

There isn't a whole lot that can be done on blued revolver's, that's why I won't buy one I can not live with as-is. IMHO, cold bluing doesn't make it look better and can sometimes make it look worse. My suggestion is to just live with it the way it is. These days it is so expensive to bring them back by refinishing them and the cost and hassle of shipping has gotten out of control.

My mind set & practice has always been buy less of a quantity of guns, but buy them in pristine condition. Buy once - cry once. The very few guns I own in less than pristine condition are a few of the ones I inherited. If they were not heirlooms and sentimental to me I would not keep them. Well, they are - and so I do.

Whenever I have been told I overpaid for a gun, I laugh 5 years down the road when what I paid originally becomes a bargain! I will not grossly over pay but to get what I like, they ain't cheap! I have caught some asleep at the switch once in a long while, but those were the exceptions.