Mirror Polished or Brushed Satin Finish???????

[SammyJoe]

Hello All,
I have my new to me Smith Model 66 with the local gunsmith currently for some modifications and also to get a clean bill of health.
I always have my gunsmith look them over inside and out to ensure it will work if I have to use it to preserve life or liberty.

He is giving me a good deal on refinishing the gun, $35 for a Brushed Satin Finish OR $45 for a High Polished Finish (mirror).

I need everyone's input on what finish would be best for me.
I plan on carrying this gun, and I want a good-looking as well as durable finish.
I have heard that Brushed Satin is great to reduce glare, but scratches are easier to see.
I LOVE the look of a mirror polish, but could see how the glare could be a negative. I do not plan on sneaking through the shadows with my piece, but who knows what situation may present itself....

What are everyone's personal experiences with these two types of finishes? Which is "best"?

Any knowledge or past lessons learned that you folks are willing to pass onto a young guy like myself would be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
-Sam

 

[JackM]

I appreciate as much as the next guy a well-finished gun, but, for a carry weapon, how about option #3: leave it as is. Down the road, if you have to, you can always clean it up yourself with Scotchbrite.

 

[djohns6]

Polish it yourself with Flitz or Semichrome . Unless it's really scarred up .
Brushed satin if you let him do it .

 

[JamesWP]

I'm worried about what a $45 polish job looks like? Rounded edges, faint markings, etc....

 

[Marshal Tom]

Have any serious dings removed and then have it bead blasted.

 

[SammyJoe]

I'm worried about what a $45 polish job looks like? Rounded edges, faint markings, etc....

He is a friend of the family, very high quality work

 

[bigwheelzip]

I love the looks of my polished stainless CZ75, but it doesn't stay looking good for long once you start handling it. Fingerprints really show clearly.

 

[tlawler]

Stick with the satin finish if you do anything. I think the high polish looks good on pimp guns and hurts the value on a desirable gun like a 66ND. My vote is to just give it a good cleaning and function test, then carry it.

 

[chief38]

Depending in just how bad the condition is, determines on how rough a grit you need to start with. I use progressively finer and finer grit wet/dry paper with oil and finish up with 2000 grit. That leaves a very fine satin finish. If you like it slightly duller, use a Scotchbrite pad for the final finish. Personally I don't care much for mirror finish guns.

Satin or shinny finishes are more personal choices than anything else and super bright mirror finishes show new scratches very quickly.

 

[Inland7-45]

I have a 1974 vintage Model 67 as well as an older Model 64. Both guns are great shooters but show some scuffing and dings. The 67 has been back to the factory for an action job. I will be doing the same thing with 64. I decided not to do anything with the finish on either gun. If I were to do anything with the finish I would keep it satin. Good luck with your 66.

 

[SammyJoe]

Stick with the satin finish if you do anything. I think the high polish looks good on pimp guns and hurts the value on a desirable gun like a 66ND. My vote is to just give it a good cleaning and function test, then carry it.

That sounds like great advice and a suitable plan of action.
Thanks for the input
-Sam

 

[SammyJoe]

I have a 1974 vintage Model 67 as well as an older Model 64. Both guns are great shooters but show some scuffing and dings. The 67 has been back to the factory for an action job. I will be doing the same thing with 64. I decided not to do anything with the finish on either gun. If I were to do anything with the finish I would keep it satin. Good luck with your 66.

I think I have decided on the brushed satin finish. That is what it has currently with fine shallow scratch marks in certain areas.
Thanks for the input
-Sam

 

[SammyJoe]

Depending in just how bad the condition is, determines on how rough a grit you need to start with. I use progressively finer and finer grit wet/dry paper with oil and finish up with 2000 grit. That leaves a very fine satin finish. If you like it slightly duller, use a Scotchbrite pad for the final finish. Personally I don't care much for mirror finish guns.

Satin or shinny finishes are more personal choices than anything else and super bright mirror finishes show new scratches very quickly.

It has the factory brushed satin finish on it right now. Think I will have the gunsmith give it a touching up with the satin finish.
Thanks for the input!
-Sam

 

[SammyJoe]

I appreciate as much as the next guy a well-finished gun, but, for a carry weapon, how about option #3: leave it as is. Down the road, if you have to, you can always clean it up yourself with Scotchbrite.

It is in fairly decent shape finish-wise. It shows some areas of increased scratching, definitely will be able to be buffed out. I will post the before and after photos when I get the gun back.
-Sam

 

[Hair Trigger]

It has the factory brushed satin finish on it right now. Think I will have the gunsmith give it a touching up with the satin finish.
Thanks for the input!
-Sam

Leave it as-is. If you carry it, it's going to pick up more of those small dings and scratches. If the gunsmith even cleans it up (removes dings and scratches), it's the same as a refinish and diminishes value. Stainless steel is easy to care for. You keep it clean and oiled, and that's it.

The M66 snubbie makes a great carry piece. I have a M66-1 2-1/2" RB and carry it frequently.

 

[Echo40]

I prefer satin, polished is only pretty if you never actually touch the gun, otherwise that polished finish becomes covered in smudges and fingerprints in short order.

Furthermore, a mirror polish can be ugly simply because it reflects everything around it, not to mention makes photographing it even harder to get a decent shot of just the gun without getting a reflection of yourself or potentially other unwanted anomalies appearing on the surface.

So yeah, Satin Stainless all the way.

 

[delcrossv]

Flitz and a dremel. Say 15 minutes.

 

[SammyJoe]

Leave it as-is. If you carry it, it's going to pick up more of those small dings and scratches. If the gunsmith even cleans it up (removes dings and scratches), it's the same as a refinish and diminishes value. Stainless steel is easy to care for. You keep it clean and oiled, and that's it.

The M66 snubbie makes a great carry piece. I have a M66-1 2-1/2" RB and carry it frequently.

That is a very good point. Think I will stick with satin. Thanks -


-Sam

 

[SammyJoe]

I prefer satin, polished is only pretty if you never actually touch the gun, otherwise that polished finish becomes covered in smudges and fingerprints in short order.

Furthermore, a mirror polish can be ugly simply because it reflects everything around it, not to mention makes photographing it even harder to get a decent shot of just the gun without getting a reflection of yourself or potentially other unwanted anomalies appearing on the surface.

So yeah, Satin Stainless all the way.

Yes, I want to have a tough finish that will look nice over time. Satin it is!!
Thanks

-Sam

 

[SammyJoe]

Flitz and a dremel. Say 15 minutes.

Nice looking piece
-Sam