Model 17 Classic Bluing

[feathers1973]

Well I took the new model 17 out today for the second time. Shoots great however, when I cleaned it today using break free on the front of the cylinder to remove the fouling the bluing came off. I break free to aggressive? Would this happen on a older blued smith?

 

[stevieboy]

My question is: what did you rub it with? Break Free alone shouldn't remove blueing. But, if you scrubbed the surface with something abrasive, it might take the blueing off.

I know from experience. A few years ago I decided to clean the cylinder face on my blued Ruger Single Six. At the time it was my first and only blued gun. I rubbed a little bit of J & B bore compound on the cylinder face and then scrubbed it with a bronze brush. That had been, and still is, a tried and true technique that I've used over the years to remove carbon deposits on my stainless revolvers. It worked like a charm, too, with the Single Six. However, it also took the blueing right off.

 

[Bullet Bob]

It's good for the bluing to wear off there, it makes one look like an experienced handgunner.

 

[feathers1973]

I used a clean t shirt to wipe it down along with a little break free.

 

[pharmer]

when I cleaned it today using break free on the front of the cylinder to remove the fouling the bluing came off.

Normal for the bluing to come off there, the Breakfree didn't do it. Joe

 

[R. G. Amos]

The current "blue" S&W's look like they were simply dipped in grape juice to achieve the color.

 

[feathers1973]

Man do I feel bad. I took my 17 back to the gun store and the guy I always deal with took the gun back to the gunsmith. When he came back with the gun all the bluing was there. Apparently it was lead deposits. Boy I felt dumb but was excited at the same time. The gunsmith used shooter choice copper and lead remover. The dealer gave me a free bottle if it. Man was I relieved.

 

[au2183]

Don't feel bad. You should feel elated that your gun is back to it's original condition. And, you learned something in the process. We all have a lot to learn!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Live and learn, bad news is by the time you learn it you are to old to enjoy it.

 

[au2183]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. IMO, it takes a real man to admit his mistakes. A lot of people would make up some cock and bull story, or just not come out and admit what happened.
Enjoy your new classic! They are a beautiful gun.

 

[murphydog]

Good news! Be sure to use a cleaner specifically made for such work, as your friendly local dealer provided. The lead removal cloths remove bluing too - don't ask how I found out...

 

[kscardsfan]

Learning by experience is great, as long as it is someone else's experience