Model 52 refinish?

[Dave from Pa]

I have a S&W model 52-2 in need of a refinish.Has anyone had the factory refinish done recently? Not sure if the factory is doing work now but decided to finally get this project started.Any input would be appreciated.

 

[rkittine]

How warn is it? Every blued gun that I used enough to need a new finish, I had nickeled.

Bob

 

[Dave from Pa]

Its pretty bad.I worked part time for years at a Police supply shop.This 52 was stolen and recovered. Once the case was resolved the PD sold to us.Mechanically its fine and shoots well, just ugly.

 

[gmborkovic]

Dave, for a target gun, that is character. A sign of loving use and care. Mike

 

[Dave from Pa]

Worst thing it has a property number electro penciled on the side, not deep but pretty ugly. I agree about character but this is a mark about its sordid past.

 

[Rule3]

No matter where you get it refinished, it will always just be refinished Is it worth it? Only you know that,
I can do a pretty decent jog with Aluma Hyde or some type of shake and bake product. All depends on what end result you want.

 

[gmborkovic]

Dave, its like an ugly tattoo on a good looking girl that does anything you want. Character!

 

[Dave from Pa]

Well it is a pretty high-quality pistol thats why I was leaning towards a factory refinish. I'll either go that route or leave it as it is. Just curious about others recent experiences with the factory.

 

[colt_saa]

If I were to rfinish my Model 52, I would look at one of the one of the finishes that reduces friction. NP3 or CP-II would top my list, though I would also look into IonBond for a Model 52

Obviously you are going to have the property scratchings polished out

Decades ago (1990s ?) I had my Duty P220 refinished in NP3 and it gave wonderful performance and great protection from the elements (something our 52s will not need)

More recently, I had my personal P220 (The other one was departmental issue and had to be turned in) finished in CP-II

Prior to these new fangeled finished I was just using Hard Chrome from Accurate Plating and Weaponry, or factory nickel

 

[AManWearingAHat]

Ive had a gun or two done with a factory refinish. The end result was beautiful. Smith and Wesson does a fantastic job.

 

[Trooper224]

If you have to get it refinished the only option should be a quality blue job. Anything else, especially a modern spray on bake on finish, is sacrilege on a classic like that.

 

[g-dad]

2 big ifs here. If it was mine - and its not - and If I just happened to have 2 model 52's I would have to have a nickel finish to go with my nickel 39-2, 59 and 459. But that's just me. YMMV

 

[Rpg]

I doubt Smith can duplicate the original finish.

They have traditionally done great refinishing work.

Not everyone appreciates the current version.

 

[stansdds]

S&W's current bluing is not the same as what they were doing when the Model 52 was in production. The current bluing gives a black finish, which is reported to turn plum if ammonia containing solvents are used. Ford's still does traditional bluing and they could probably give your Model 52 a factory looking finish. Beyond that, there are plated finishes such as nickel, NP3, and hard chrome. I would not use a spray-on finish on a Model 52. Leave those to beater and duty grade firearms.

 

[Old_Cop]

If you bought right, send it to Fords and enjoy pride of ownership. If you want to shoot it extensively, do it and then send it out. No matter where it is refinished, it will always be refinished with the reduction in value to collectors.

 

[stansdds]

I doubt it has any collector value with a property locker number electro penciled into it.

 

[mike from st pete]

WHY?

I doubt it has any collector value with a property locker number electro penciled into it.

Why do they do that?

 

[Aircrewman]

Even though the factory doesn't have the means to exactly duplicate the original finishes from years ago (evidently because of environmental degradation issues), I would still send it there for refinishing. It's my feeling that the factory folks can still due complete justice in repair/refinishing to any and all of the products made by the company. They are the best at what they do and I believe that they have the pride and loyalty to the company and its customers to make anything sent back there completely acceptable. And I think that the charges are quite reasonable given the high cost of labor these days.

I realize that some may disagree with me in this opinion given some of the stories we hear about customer service occasionally, but I think that these stories are sometimes born from frustration or unhappiness of having to return something for work. And in those instances where there is a problem with work, it is not the norm.

 

[Dave from Pa]

Would anyone have a picture they could post of a recent factory refinish.Either revolver or auto.Performance center is listing a cost of 275.00 from what I can see.I did have a 17-3 nickel plated and the job was decent but even after stressing I did not want the lettering over buffed it still occurred.I would hope the factory would pay closer attention hence my interest.