Model 64 Stock Restoration

[VaTom]

I have a 2" Model 64 that I bought new in 1976. It has been a "working" revolver for many years and thus the grips were in a somewhat worn shape. Original finish was gone and there were some rough edges around the checkering cut outs. Decided it was time to try a refinish. Never refinished grips but have refinished furniture over the years. I think they turned out well with no too much shine.
Sanded with 320 grit sand paper and gently cleaned up some rough edges with an exactor knife. Used 0000 steel before first coat of Satin poly and then in between subsequent coats.

 

[markeb]

Looks great now how about a pic with them on the 64.

 

[loeman]

Nicely done VaTom. You did pretty much what I do when I refinish grips. The biggest difference I do is to remove all the original finish with acetone. It usually only takes about an hour or maybe two. I fill a glass jar with the grips and the acetone and just let it sit. Most of the grips I have done have been in good shape, I just wanted to change the color/stain. I've had good success with Minwax poly satin and also Watco Natural. The Watco product is nice because you can wipe it off as soon as you apply if the previous coast is 100% dry.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Looks great now how about a pic with them on the 64.

Yes, need photos of them on the 64! Grips look good, are you a lefty?

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[VaTom]

Yes, need photos of them on the 64! Grips look good, are you a lefty?

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Thanks, Here are the photos. First S&W that I bought at age 23 as a rookie LEO as an off duty weapon. Original box with price of $145. A lot of money in 1976. We carried 4" Model 10's. 42 years later and never a problem. Many years of carry / qualifications etc. until transitioned to Glocks. Not a lefty.

 

[cmj8591]

$145 in 1976 wasn't too far off from 2017. With inflation it would be $630.77 today.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Beautiful! Nice job.

 

[GyMac]

Thanks, Here are the photos. First S&W that I bought at age 23 as a rookie LEO as an off duty weapon. Original box with price of $145. A lot of money in 1976. We carried 4" Model 10's. 42 years later and never a problem. Many years of carry / qualifications etc. until transitioned to Glocks. Not a lefty.

That looks great!

 

[VaTom]

$145 in 1976 wasn't too far off from 2017. With inflation it would be $630.77 today.

Yes we only made $670/month back in those days.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Great looking 64. The reason I asked if you are a lefty is it looked to me like the left stock peaks of the checkering is worn more than the right one. Might be my old eyes too.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[kbm6893]

Nicely done VaTom. You did pretty much what I do when I refinish grips. The biggest difference I do is to remove all the original finish with acetone. It usually only takes about an hour or maybe two. I fill a glass jar with the grips and the acetone and just let it sit. Most of the grips I have done have been in good shape, I just wanted to change the color/stain. I've had good success with Minwax poly satin and also Watco Natural. The Watco product is nice because you can wipe it off as soon as you apply if the previous coast is 100% dry.

I stripped my grips with acetone and then just applied several coats of boiled linseed oil. Came out great.

 

[gmborkovic]

I cant believe you saved the box. Every Rookie I sold a gun to back in the 70s, threw the box away and bought a Bianchi holster and headed to the range. Nice grips.

 

[cndrdk]

I cant believe you saved the box. Every Rookie I sold a gun to back in the 70s, threw the box away and bought a Bianchi holster and headed to the range. Nice grips.

Who would even think of throwing a S&W box away? NOT ME....back in the '70's we adored S&W blue boxes. After buying the revolver (and our Bianchi holster), we would take the box halves, light the wax paper on fire and push them out into the water and try to shoot them before they caught on fire and sank. S&W boxes seemed to resist water better than others. If I just woudda known..........

 

[bananaman]

I have a 2" Model 64 that I bought new in 1976. It has been a "working" revolver for many years and thus the grips were in a somewhat worn shape. Original finish was gone and there were some rough edges around the checkering cut outs. Decided it was time to try a refinish. Never refinished grips but have refinished furniture over the years. I think they turned out well with no too much shine.
Sanded with 320 grit sand paper and gently cleaned up some rough edges with an exactor knife. Used 0000 steel before first coat of Satin poly and then in between subsequent coats.

Good job on the stocks! It is amazing what you can do with a little time & patience. The last few sets I have done have been finished with clear semi gloss spray lacquer. (Minwax) I am happy with the results. Bob

 

[VaTom]

Great looking 64. The reason I asked if you are a lefty is it looked to me like the left stock peaks of the checkering is worn more than the right one. Might be my old eyes too.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

When not being carried, the 64 spent time in the side pocket of my softsided briefcase (in the pancake holster) that I carried for work. May account for some of the wear. The 64 served me well for many years and while I have other pistols and revolvers that are more valuable dollar wise it is number 1 in my collection!

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

VaTom,

I traded with a good friend of mine for my 64-3. I just put a pair of Pachmayr's on it to keep the stocks in good shape. They are ugly to the bone, but feel good when shooting.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[MCorps0311]

Thanks, Here are the photos. First S&W that I bought at age 23 as a rookie LEO as an off duty weapon. Original box with price of $145. A lot of money in 1976. We carried 4" Model 10's. 42 years later and never a problem. Many years of carry / qualifications etc. until transitioned to Glocks. Not a lefty.

Sweet very nice.

 

[gwpercle]

Looking Good...you did a nice restoration on them.

Min-Wax also makes a Tung Oil Finish that works very well on grips.
The model 58 grips in my avatar have been finished in the Tung Oil Finish.

 

[StakeOut]

A SS revolver,not bead blasted,would have been nice as a duty and off duty carry.

My 10-6 heavy barrel duty gun was $45 in early 1966 from the police equipment bureau.A Colt DS was $40 and a Model 36 was $35.

All our equipment and uniforms were purchased out of pocket but we received a small annual allowance from the city.

 

[Oaky]

Good job!!!