Is there a Smith and Wesson Hell?

Gunsmithattheguncloset

Gunsmithattheguncloset

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Esteemed Collegues,

I am the proud owner of a S&W model 19-2 (4 inch bbl) whose finish has seen better days. Function is 110% A+++ but the finish is about 40-45%. It does wear nice target stocks without the cut out. (you know the thumb rest that looks like a football). Any ole way, My question is: "Would I be consigned to Smith and Wesson Hell if, I glass bead blast this revolver and parkerize it? Thoughts?

Thanks,
Trey
 
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model 19

i have parkerized many guns that the finish was very bad and would not warrant the cost of rebluing. it is a great finish.
 
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Would it cost more to reblue it than to Parkerize it? Smith offers reblueing packages in the $250 range. Other refinishers like Fords are competitive, I think. A good reblueing job will last many years if you take care of the gun.
 
Speaking only for myself, I love my handguns to be in good shape mechanically and finish-wise. But in my book there's entirely too much hand-wringing goes on over the "should I or shouldn't I refinish" questions. There's a difference in someone with OCD wanting to pay 2 or 3 C notes to have a run-of-the-mill model refinished when the cost will exceed the gun's worth and there can be better specimens purchased cheaper, and someone who wants to preserve dad's old gun or pretty up their 'grail gun' or restore an older model that will never be worth 'big bucks' anyway. In those cases - if it makes you happy go for it.

In your case, why not ? The costs are minimal, the results are for your approval and use, and the only way I'd say 'don't bother' is if you planned the refinish to try to make the gun more likely to sell on the open market. Since I'm personally not a fan of parkerized revolvers I would just as soon buy a beater with only a partial finish, but that's just me. If it floats your boat, go for it . . . .

Post script - besides, in Smith & Wesson Hell you can only have RG's and Rossi's . . . .
 
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Park on a K frame? Sure, if that's what you want.
S&W hell is reserved for for guys like the one who had a camo paint job on a pre-war N frame I saw on gunbroker awhile back.
 
I would think that a factory re-blued S&W would be worth more @ resale than the same gun parkerized, and would be more visually pleasing to you during the years that you own it......
 
wait I thought S&W hell was where you are eternally in a room full of registered magnums and your wallet is missing along with your ATM card and your bank is closed forever and you can't touch them or get out.....
 
NFrameFred said:
In your case, why not ? The costs are minimal, the results are for your approval and use, and the only way I'd say 'don't bother' is if you planned the refinish to try to make the gun more likely to sell on the open market. Since I'm personally not a fan of parkerized revolvers I would just as soon buy a beater with only a partial finish, but that's just me. If it floats your boat, go for it . . . .

Post script - besides, in Smith & Wesson Hell you can only have RG's and Rossi's . . . .
Click to expand...

.....I thank you for your reponse. I have very little money in this m-19, I am going to use it in 3 gun and as a carry piece. I also have no intention of selling this gem.....remember the old addage if it is a straight and true shooter....don't sell it. The cost for me to park it in my shop would be minimal....especially when I am parking several others at the same time. RG's and Rossi's ACK.....Cough......gasp......gag!
 
You're gun- do as you like. I've got a 19-5 with 2 1/2" barrel that I'd be charitable calling the finish 40 to 45% but it shoots good. It's got the best DA trigger of any of my S&W's. I couldn't justify a $250 reblue job- the gun wouldn't be worth $250 more when I got done- and I don't want to sell it anyway. For now I shoot the crap out of it and enjoy it. There's a certain freedom to having a gun that the finish is already in poor condition. If it gets a little banged up- so what. Maybe one day I'll parkerize it or something similar. For now I let my buddies laugh when I pull it out and cry when I out shoot them with it.

My S&W hell- no more primers or powder and my babies can't eat!!!
 
My other 19

My other m-19-4 is a 2 1/2 incher like yours Andy with the exception that it is pristine with a tyler-t grip. The other main exception is that mine shoots about 6'' low no matter what grain bullet you feed it...

Oh dear, i think i have hijacked my own thread..
Trey
 
I would send it to Ford's or Smith & Wesson for a refinish. There IS a special room on Hell for those who deface our favorite brand of firearm.
 
It's your gun to do with as you please. But since you asked what the reaction would be to what you suggest, my reaction to any nice gun with an aftermarket finish like hard chrome, parkerizing, etc. is always the same: I recoil in abject horror.
 
I hope you like it real hot, because Parkerizing a fine model 19 will consign you to the 9th level. If you going to shoot it and carry it, keep it well waxed and leave the finish alone. If you want to make it pretty again, have it properly re-blued by someone who cares enough to do a first class job.
 
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