Did I make a mistake sending a revolver to S&W for re-blue?

[aterry33]

I had a 1950s Model 15 that needed a reblue. I sent it to S&W for a factory high polish re-blue. A few folks have criticized this decision, saying I should have sent it to a specialized shop that does the "old style" deep bluing, and that the new S&W bluing has more of a "black" look to it.

But at the same time, I swear I've heard a number of forum members here rave about S&W's factory reblue work lately.

Does anyone have any recent S&W rebluing experiences? I haven't gotten the 15 back yet.

 

[Firehouse]

I've never had this done, but I talked to an S&W rep. on the phone one day. I asked him about re-bluing a Model 37 flat latch I have, and he said it would have the black look to it. The reason was is because they supposedly changed their bluing process because of environmental reasons or something along that line. This change in bluing technique gives it that black appearance. So, I'd have to say based off of what he told me that I would have someone else do it.

 

[feralmerril]

It`s kinda late to worry about it now! I dont know if its better or worse. At least S&W done it, that should give it a leg up, if not at least as good as most bumper shops.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

The quality of the polish job is what makes the end results good or bad and nobody does it better than the factory. The few shops that can still do the old heat treat or carbonia blue would probably charge more than the value of a model 15. You made a good choice and it will look like new when it returns. Since it has no collector value, the fact that it will be refinished with the later hot dip blue method means nothing as long as you like the way it looks.

 

[fat tom]

I think that you will be pleased with the way it looks when you get it back. It's not like it's a highly collectible model and you have devastated the potential value of it,so enjoy it. They are great shooters. You had a shooter before but now you'll have a GOOD LOOKIN' one!
f.t.

 

[cjw3]

I got back a M&P from Ford's a few weeks ago that was done in their DeLuxe finish blue. I was surprised that it was as black as it was, and the photos on their website bear out that they will be darker than the original finish regardless of the polish. I like it nonetheless, and it is a vast improvement over what it was.

I bet ohiobuckeye has hit it on the head with his comments about the old style bluing. I would guess you could find someone to do it, but I would think it would be cost prohibitive. You did fine sending it back to the factory.

 

[W.E.G.]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Not one wink.

Its YOUR gun, and you wanted it refinished, so that's what ya done.

When you get it back, you can start puttin' yer own scratches on it,... and don't give two hoots about whether somebody says you weren't a proper "caretaker" of somebody's idea of a museum piece, or that you didn't remake it exactly like what it was on the day it first come from the factory.

Fix up yer guns the way you like 'em, and enjoy shootin'.

 

[GKC]

If you don't mind saying, what did it cost?

 

[cmort666]

A few years ago, I sent them a 4" 29-2 to have the forcing cone recut and the barrel set back. In the process, they put a couple of cuts in the outside of the barrel. They had no replacement barrels. The only serviceable replacement I could find had finish wear, so they ended up having to reblue the whole gun, which I was trying desperately to avoid. Not what I wanted, but it was that or accept the original damage or the worn barrel. They did a much better reblue job than I expected.

I couldn't live with the damaged appearance and the only reasonable solution was reblueing. It's pretty much worthless now, but it looks very good.

 

[feralmerril]

Just a old thought here, and its not original either. CARS! On old classic cars, every last one of them is restored. Lets say you have one anywhere from the 1920s to late 1950s. If you had the original paint on it, it would look awfull!

 

[sw282]

si------------

 

[MR. IHC]

i should get my model 28-2 back anyday from the factory, when i do i will post some pictures. i had them reblue it and put a 6 inch barrel on it as i hated the way the 4 inch looked. an i really don't care that the 4 inch was worth more or that the rust made it worth more i wanted what i wanted and thats what counts! i'm the one who has to live with it!

 

[jbcap]

I have seen a number of guns re-blued by S&W, I thought they looked fine. It is your gun to do what you want with. If you are happy with the results, that is all that matters. I enjoy the looks of a shiny blued gun, but also love the worn look of a carry piece. What ever makes you happy - Joe

 

[Gary]

I have never understood the bias that some have towards refinishing a gun. I have had a couple of S&Ws refinished in the past and was pleased with the result. They were shooters that were pretty ratty when I bought them and the refinish gave me a greater pride of ownership over the years as I continued to use them. My decision would have likely been different if the gun had historical significance or was a family heirloom.

 

[mod34]

I had a Model 19 done recently by Smith. They did the bead blasted finish. The gun looked a lot better than when I bought it. They also replaced the front site and did an action job. Now I have about $700 in a $400 gun. Makes no diffrence tho. The yungen saw it and it went to live with her. What are daddies for? I liked the Blasted finish. They did fail to put the grip stud back into the frame tho. It had to go back to Smith. The Cylinder was also hard to open. They fixed those troubles on their dime

About 6wks ago, I sent a M36 back to them for a bunch of "stuff" one being a bead blasted re-blue. I paid nearly nothing for it, will have more in it than its worth, but I look forward to the results. Will post before and afters when its back.

 

[n4zov]

The biggest reason I know for sending the gun to S&W for refinishing is that they know what they are doing! You can be assured that the gun won't come back with rounded corners where they should be sharp, dished screw holes, buffed out markings or any one of a dozen other problems that many refinishers cause. That isn't to imply that they are the only people on the planet who know how to refinish, but their prices are quite reasonable, their turn around is short, and they can correct any mechanical problems your gun might have while it is in for refinishing.

 

[DrMark]

aterry33,

Plaese post pics when you get it back!

 

[Blkcat]

.... It's pretty much worthless now, but it looks very good.

You need to rid your safe of junk. I will be happy to take that worthless piece off your hands - just send it to me. I'll even pay the postage.

 

[cmort666]

You need to rid your safe of junk. I will be happy to take that worthless piece off your hands - just send it to me. I'll even pay the postage.

Nah, I keep it around for shooting home invaders, seriously. That's certainly its only value now.

 

[Faulkner]

I've been collecting M1 carbines for 25 years or so and I've sent a couple off to be reparkerized. Some of my collection "buddies" just go off the deep end about having a "piece of history" ruined in such a manner. Frankly, that's what I like about being an American, I can pretty much do with my private property as I see fit, and to quote Dean of Dean's Gun Refinishing, who did a super job with the last one I sent him, "life is too short to own a ugly gun."