Model 10 need re-finished?

[Lowa]

I picked up a mangey, covered in rust 10-7 for a measley $325. The action felt fantastic and after cleaning, it still feels fantastic. The OG grips were *****, but these altamonte panels for $20 on sale feel fantastic

I only used a brush brass, hoppes, followed by mother's mag metal polish on cotton to clean every single part of this gun. All internals are solid and relatively good condition for previously being solid crusty brown.

If I send it to s&w, I can get it re-blued or nickeled for a few hundred bucks. $650 or less for a nice handling gun like this seems reasonable, no?

It IS just a 10-7 and despite being mechanically superior to earlier models, it's a black sheep of the classics. Does that make it a better candidate for a new finish? Waste of money?

 

[DWalt]

Your money, your decision. You will get as many yeas as nays on refinishing advisability.

 

[Igiveup]

I bought one of the 10-7 round butt without the barrel. I installed a 2 inch barrel, went thru the innards, had it Cerrakoted in black and added a pair of elk horn grips I bought from a forum member. Excluding the grips, I have less money in the revolver than you paid for yours, and it is a pleasure to carry and shoot. I would not have done this to a good condition collectable gun, but a guy has to get crazy once in awhile and not worry about what others think. A fun project.

 

[NY-1]

Here's a thread I posted awhile back about contemplating getting my Model 10 refinished. The factory seems to do a good enough job (though other options like Ford's Custom Refinishing are out there), and a gleaming Model 10 is hard to beat. Factory Rebluing for a Model 10

 

[stansdds]

S&W's current bluing is not the same as what they did pre-1980 or even pre-2000. The current bluing is very black and can turn plum when exposed to ammonia or solvents that contain ammonia or ammoniated compounds. S&W also dropped nickel finishes several years ago. If you plan on this being a carry gun and want a really durable, corrosion resistant finish, hard chrome is what you want. Expensive, but the most durable finish you can put on a firearm. Then again, there is some charm in a worn, original finish and refinishing rarely, if ever, improves a vintage firearm's value.

 

[murphydog]

Another recent thread noted that S & W is (temporarily) not doing refinishing work. For this gun I would be tempted to leave it as is or perhaps go the hard chrome route if it will be an outdoors/carry gun.

 

[gwpercle]

I have always liked my shooting / using revolver to have a little "character" on them ... look like we seen a lot of experience , been around ... been shooting for awhile .

The guy who shows up with brand new bright and shiney just reeks of amateur newbee status .

Gary

 

[biblethumpincop]

Firearm Plating -Mahovsky's Metalife

 

[StakeOut]

My 4" 10-6 was carried on duty in a holster for nearly 20 years and had thousands of rounds fired from it but when I retired it looked close to the way it was when brand new.It had some blue wear at the muzzle and edges of the cylinder but that was it.
Could it be be cause I owed it and not the Police Department?
I look at police trade ins purchased by forum members and ask myself who the heck used them and how did they get to that awful condition.
The Model 10....if you don't disappoint it,it won't disappoint you.

 

[Old cop]

I think the condition of that 10-7 gives it character as long as it operates safely. I'd put that money into ammo and have some range fun.

 

[Krogen]

You picked up a scruffy 10 for a good price. Shoot and enjoy it! If you want a nice one, they can be found for a few more bucks. If you have yours reblued you'd wind up spending more than it's worth IMNHO. A few weeks ago, I picked up one like yours, a 10-7, 2" square butt for $450. It has a little blue wear, but you have to look for it.

 

[Ameshawki]

That's not that bad. I'd leave it. It has character. Been done the refinishing road two or three times, I always say never again. But I'll probably do it anyway.

Before spending money try hitting it with Brownells Oxopho Blue.

 

[jmace57]

Nobody has mentioned rust bluing it. I have done several, and have been happy with the results. A cheap alternative.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

You did a good job cleaning it up. Me, I'd leave it just like it is. Putting any money into any refinish just defeats the purposed for which you bought the gun. If you wanted a pristine example you'd be better off buying one in better condition and selling that one.
Had an old cop that carried a 6" Python as his duty gun. That thing was almost holster worn white and the grips were in about the same condition. But that gun had an action like butta. He retired and I found out after the fact that he sold it to a gunshop for $300. I'd a bought it as is and kept it in the same condition as a refinish would have accomplished notning other than lighten my wallet.

 

[stanmerrell]

Do what you want, it's yours. But if it were mine, I'd do nothing to it for a year, then decide. Clarity comes with time for me. I like it congrats on a nice snubbie.

 

[dmar]

I'm not usually an advocate for refinishing a gun. This is especially the case when the gun is just showing normal wear from use. However, when it comes to rust and corrosion, I think a quality refinish can be a good thing. Rust and cleaned up rust just looks like neglect to me. Personal opinion, that would bother me to look at. Others may feel differently.

That's a nice revolver, and you got a good deal on it. I'd send it off to Ford's for a re-blue. Or, for a great carry finish, I'd agree with the comment on hard chrome, that's a great finish.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[The Preacher]

Leave it and enjoy it. Here's my 36 just the way I got it and she's a gem. Never have to worry about put'n a mark on it with all the "character" it's got going on.

The Preacher

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I like it as is so long as mechanically perfect. But look at my '52 Cobra that I think is just beautiful. I think it was carried forever but rarely shot.

 

[Borderboss]

Every time I see a thread like this, it reminds me that I need to deal with my LEO trade-in Model 10-8. The action is great and was probably shot little. But it came from some town in France, and their police must use holsters made of barb wire because of the amount of big scratches on both sides of the frame.

Hard chrome sounds like a great options. I'll take a look at Mahovsky's based on the recommendation in this thread.

 

[ruger 22]

Shoot it as is.