Can anyone advise me if the S&W factory does re-bluing? And how do I go about having it done. I now have my Dad's NYPD 38 special model 10. He became a police officer in 1949. And it needs some TLC. Thanks for any help.
Factory re-bluing?
- Thread starter itslucky
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Cdog
Member
Depending on the age of the revolver, S&W may refuse any work on it.
There are many top notch alternatives to S&W for a reblue. A search here will yield several threads with suggestions.
Worth knowing that re-finishes, even from the factory, tend to reduce the value of the revolver.
Some of us find wear to have great character on the right revolver.
There are many top notch alternatives to S&W for a reblue. A search here will yield several threads with suggestions.
Worth knowing that re-finishes, even from the factory, tend to reduce the value of the revolver.
Some of us find wear to have great character on the right revolver.
I don't understand why anyone would remove the history of a firearm simply to have something shiny. The lack of bluing is from your dad's years of service. Every rub and scratch is a testament to your dad's life. Once reblued it is nothing but another shiny gun. The world if full of guns that have never been out of the gun safe. Yours sounds like it has the " been there, done that, and got the scars to prove it" look. Is shiny guns are your thing, buy a new one with the money you are planning on spending "dressing up" this old war horse. How about some photos for us that appreciate well used guns?
cmort666
Member
cmort666
Member
When Smith damaged the barrel on my 4" 29-2, they eventually refinished it, since there were no new barrels, and I couldn't find a used one that wasn't finish worn.
I don't know if they did the actual finishing or if they sent it out to somebody like Ford's, but they did an excellent job, no matter who did it.
As noted, the gun's pretty much worthless now, but VERY pretty. Since I couldn't tolerate it in the condition to which it had been reduced, and could NEVER have afforded to replace it, rebluing was the ONLY solution.
It sounds to me like you're more concerned with appearance than value. If that's the case, then you ought to at least consider having it reblued, at least if you can afford it.
As I pointed out, there AREN'T any new no-lock M&Ps, so telling you to get a "new" gun is, as the Brits say, "a nonsense".
Take your time, think about what you really want to do, then do it.
I don't know if they did the actual finishing or if they sent it out to somebody like Ford's, but they did an excellent job, no matter who did it.
As noted, the gun's pretty much worthless now, but VERY pretty. Since I couldn't tolerate it in the condition to which it had been reduced, and could NEVER have afforded to replace it, rebluing was the ONLY solution.
It sounds to me like you're more concerned with appearance than value. If that's the case, then you ought to at least consider having it reblued, at least if you can afford it.
As I pointed out, there AREN'T any new no-lock M&Ps, so telling you to get a "new" gun is, as the Brits say, "a nonsense".
Take your time, think about what you really want to do, then do it.
Last edited:
While you are correct that none are being produced, there are many out there in new condition. Our little local gun shop gets them a couple times a year. They presently have a 1965 vintage model 36 new in the box. A mint 1973 model 10 and a mint model 15 2" have also arrived (and left) the shop this year. Being an avid early Winchester fan, I am amazed at the number of new in the box guns still, out in the world. Of course I could put a kid through college for the sum they are asking. New in the box Smith's seem to come up far more often and are only slightly over priced.
cmort666
Member
Before this thread started, I was looking at S&W revolver prices on the auction sites. I could NEVER afford to replace that 29-2 of mine at today's prices. So today, my choice would be a mutilated 29-2, or no 29-2 AT ALL.
As far as stores go, most of the ones around here have little in the way of interesting used guns, and those at premium prices. A used Glock 17 isn't a substitute for a Model 10.
Other than pure, dumb LUCK at a gunshow, I wouldn't expect to find an M&P or Model 10 of the appearance which he's going to get after having his gun refinished, and CERTAINLY not at any reasonable price.
cmort666
Member
I've got an M&P that I bought from R.M. Vivas before they stopped general sales. It's in EXCELLENT mechanical condition, and accurate, but is literally MISSING large sections of finish.
It's a nice gun, and were I to have the money, I would probably have it reblued.
It's a nice gun, and were I to have the money, I would probably have it reblued.
Hillbilly77
Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2012
- Messages
- 6,183
- Reaction score
- 18,475
If you do decide to have it done, they do a nice job.
I had my 586 re-blued a couple years ago and they did a nice job.
A picture of when I first got it back:
It's the blue one obviously.
I don't have the 686 anymore.
This picture isn't the best:
A close-up after Ren-Wax:
I had my 586 re-blued a couple years ago and they did a nice job.
A picture of when I first got it back:
It's the blue one obviously.
I don't have the 686 anymore.
This picture isn't the best:
A close-up after Ren-Wax:
Last edited:
george minze
Member
About four years ago a like new, what I thought was a model 10 heavy barrel came into local gun shop...looked standard but it was a NYSP model in 357 mag...nothing fancy regular sights looked like all the heavy barrel model 10 I had been seeing most of my career...I was told by somebody on this forum that they were ordered for NYSP but not all delivered and no more than 100 were actually made, as NYSP decided to go to combat Masterpiece....I personally don't know the history but I would like to kick myself in the butt for not trying harder to buy it ...gun shop owner held on to it until he went bankrupt...I guess it went with the total inventory sale..O' well just another one that got away...The M&P's served the police service with reliability and good service for so many years...To have a no frills regular service sights in 357 would have been a keeper at least I think it would certainly be unique as it was stamped NYSP...
Back in the 80's I had quite a few guns I sent to the factory for re blue. Although the blueing was nice, I couldn't get them to do a decent high polish before the blueing.( even after paying for it to be done ) Today if I were to send one out it would be to Ford's.Smith & Wesson should be embarassed at the level of finish Ford's can achieve.
I ran into a non-gun guy some years ago who told me that he had the beat-up .45 Automatic his Dad carried throughout World War II, and how he'd "fixed it up" by having it nickel-plated. I wanted to scream.
That M&P is part of your family's history. While you can certainly do with it whatever you wish, I would respectfully suggest you leave it as is...
zzzippper
Member
Does anyone have a link for Fords? I can't find one.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
I had a very good friend who was a very dedicated German Militaria collector, especially Lugers, P-38's and Walthers. He related to me over the years about many very rare and collectible examples RUINED by a refinish or worse yet....NICKLE.
But...one of his 8" Artillery models was a very good reblue, with only the damaged areas refinished. They left alone the small parts so it still had the straw coloring where appropriate. Had it not been a reblue...he could have never afforded it and I never would have experienced shooting such a neat piece of History.
OP....As an ex LEO who has three of his ex duty guns.....Leave it alone. All of that wear tells a story.
