Not sure I want this free S&W revolver- advice please

Super Dave

Super Dave

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Hi,

I've been offered this revolver for free. I believe it is a pre model 15 from the early 50's. The bore and cylinder are perfect. It seems to be tight and function just fine. I'm not sure how it shoots. But, it has some pretty nasty rust under the grips and some pitting in other areas. The is a gouge of some sort on the top, left side of the trigger guard.

I have a nice model 15 and don't really need another. I'm curious if a reblue would be worth it and how it would turn out with that amount of corrosion. I see a standard reblue at S&W runs $220. Shipping back and forth would bring it up to $300. Plus, I figure they would charge more for the extra work on the rust and trigger guard.

I'd appreciate your thoughts. What would you guys do?

Thanks,
Dave

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Dave--

If you don't want it please send it to me! My personal opinion is that one should never turn down a free gun, especially an S&W in good working order...

There is a difference between a "working gun" (shooter) and a "shelf queen" (looker). I would not spend the money to reblue. If you have the time & like to tinker, you can remove rust and clean around the pits by rubbing with bronze wool (available from plumbing supply stores or Brownell's). Another useful tool is a genuine copper penny (made before 1982). Rubbing the metal with these materials will remove rust without harming the blue.

The gouge on the left front of the trigger guard might be smoothed a bit by careful use of a fine file and/or grit papers followed by a touch of cold blue.

Once you've cleaned up the rust, coat the steel grip frame with a good wax or a barrel grease that can withstand heat before installing stocks.

Just because a gun "ain't purty" doesn't mean it isn't a useful tool.
 
I guess it's hard to understand why someone would turn down a perfectly good gun for free. Well, my safe is full and I'm at the point where I need to start selling to make room. I've got all the revolvers I want. I enjoy the longer barrels and this one really would not be used. Sorry, I would not live with the rust and it would be refinished. I'll make some calls on Tuesday to see what the refinishing cost would be and make a decision.

Dave
 
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I'll take it if you don't want it. There is very little that can happen to a revolver, that can't be repaired. Heck, I'm not even that big of a wheel gun fan but, free is free.
 
Go get it, it's free. I would love to have it, would make a great project gun. Spend some time cleaning and you would have a great shooter. Or put me about 4th in line and send my way, I'd love to tinker with it a while.
 
A good, solid S&W 38 is a useful thing just to have around.

I often have a friend approach and ask for advice for a house gun for security purposes. If I already have a beater 38 around it makes it easy to just sell it to them cheap and then take them to the range and teach them how to use it. Such a gun is ideal for someone who is not going to dedicate significant time in training as they are simple, reliable, controllable, and reasonably effective (Autos take more training time, more practice, and significantly more maintenance). Most people can work a DA revolver under stress: point at problem; pull trigger; reapply as necessary.

Such as gun is also potential trade fodder.

Yes, clean it up as best you can, put some goodyears on it, and keep it around.

BTW, tell us there IS a serial number on the base of the grip frame? That would be a game changer.
 
Hi Super Dave. I don't think the revolver looks all that bad. I think its still a very solid looking piece. I would just soak it in some oil for a bit. Its worth more the way it sits, than if it was refinished. A reblue is a no win. If you don't have room for it, sell it and split the money with the person you received it from. Regards Mike
 
SuperDave, I agree with most of what has been said (excepting any insults) and would jump on that gun like a Duck on a Junebug. I wouldn't even consider sending it back to Smith, as they probably won't work on one that old anyway. What I would do is stabilize what is left of the finish, like JWM suggested, then use it for "rough work" when I didn't want one of my nicer guns to get damaged, or as a trainer/loaner for friends wanting to learn to shoot. If I just couldn't stand the finish as it is now, I'd have it bead blasted and reblued in a nice matte finish that would make it even better for the proposed uses I've outlined.

You know what they say about gift horses and mouths, don't you? ;)

Regards,
Froggie
 
I completely understand your reasoning for thinking about turning it down. I'm of the mindset that if I'm not going to use something, why not let it go on to someone who will. Clearly your friend came to you because you're a "gun guy", so why not help him move it on to someone who's looking for a decent shooter. I bet you know someone who'd love that gun! Do you owe anyone a favor?
 
Looks like a great shooter! The perfect companion to a nice one; this one you wouldn't feel bad about running hard.
 
" I've got all the revolvers I want."
Huh? Have these words ever been typed on this forum before?
I agree with lowhog, take it, sell it and split the money with him. It's better to go to you, and you can find a proper new owner. I don't know Hawaii gun laws, but if you take it to a gun show, you won't have a problem getting rid of it. I would not spend any money refinishing it.
 
Of course everyone has a different situation so it's hard to say you should not turn it down.

With the way crime is today, having a spare gun stashed strategically around the house may be a great idea for some. But not for those with children in the house or grand children who often visit. I'm sure there are other positive and negative considerations as well.

If you don't want it, someone you know will want it as a truck gun, boat gun, house gun, ...
 
I have a 1956 era Combat Masterpeice - i love it Not a "safe queen as it has some minor blue wear but still plenty nice. If someone offered me that Masterpeice for nothing, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. Looks like it would be a good shooter and so what if it has a few "issues" - if it's solid, locks up tight and shoots - it's a no brainer.

That said, I know there are "collectors" and there are "shooters" and also a combination of both. I'm a shooter and that one would be a great carry gun on the farm as you wouldn't be worried about it getting scratched or dinged. I've had farm pickups that pretty much compared to that one - some rust, a ve bumps and dings, etc. but they still got you from one point to another and carried whatever need be.
 
I say pass. If you are unwilling to live with a rough looking gun given to you for FREE then accept the fact that you demand perfection and only acquire pristine guns. That's obviously the only thing you want since you question accepting a beat up looking gun for FREE. If you have absolutely no use for a rough pistol given for FREE then move on in your quest for perfect guns. You won't be happy with this one even if it was FREE. The fact that you felt the need to ask strangers if you should take a FREE gun makes it pretty clear that you should not take it.

There are some guns I would not accept as a gift. A butchered Victory Model. Anything larger than 44 Magnum. A Glock. But a rough looking Combat Masterpiece that I could carry and shoot without regard for damaging it? That I would take for FREE. You obviously have doubts. So don't.
 
Take it, clean it up and if you really don't want it, pass it on to a good home.
I keep a couple of not so pretty, but servicable K-frames around just for this purpose. I've already given one to a friend who couldn't afford a home protection gun and will probably be giving another away in the near future.
Besides, if the zombies ever do come, you can arm a neighbor. ;)
 
I have a box of junk guns that have been given to me over the years. There's all sorts of stuff in that box. Some of them barely qualify as paper weights. But, every now and then, someone will ask me, "Hey, do you know where I can get a screw for a, fill in the blank.".

IT'S FREE! What more needs to be said?
 
Is the butt drilled for a swivel?
I see an extra hole that could be for the swivel retention pin.
 
Let's say you do take on the task of accepting a free gun. After you realize you just can't have a beater socializing with your real guns, you take it to a gunshow and sell it for $300, which should take all of 3 minutes. Next time you see your benefactor, you drop a crispy pic of 'ol Ben Franklin in his hand. Can't help but make a friendship better. Joe
 
I totally get being maxed out with your own stuff.
I totally get the need to make stuff right.
We're only talking something worth a few hundred-it won't change your life one way or another.
If it strikes you as a burden,pass.
If not,peddle it and split the bucks with the giver.You're not obligated to keep a gifted gun.
 
Maybe find a good charity and give it to them and let them raffle it off. What the heck, I would buy a $1 chance on something like that anytime.
 
My grandfather, who was a preacher, told me one of the hardest lessons he had to learn in his profession was to accept offered gifts graciously. Maybe the current owner of this gun has other people he could offer the gun to, or maybe he doesn't. In either case, he seems to have offered it to you first. It won't hurt you in any deep way to say yes, and you can assure him that if it doesn't fit into your collection you will find the right person to pass it on to after giving it some TLC.

With that out of the way, it looks like a 1957 gun to me: Non-model marked, four screws, serial number not marked on rear face of cylinder. Those characteristics pretty much limit its year of origin, though it might not have shipped until 1958 if it got stuck on a back shelf in inventory. I'm guessing the serial number lies within shouting distance of K300000, but probably not lower than K275000 or higher than K325000.
 
What David said. As a kid I guided duck hunters, and on a bluebird day there might not be a cap popped, but my hunters would offer me a tip.
The old boy ( Mr. Dryer) who was my mentor in the blinds said " Son, you take that tip, it may be the only way they know to show their appreciation-- don't insult the man, show some gratitude." He was right.

.......just something to consider
 
That gun is purty near being properly broke in. Like others have said, clean it, shoot it, and repeat over and over again.
Then your kids and grand kids can do the same thing down the line.
 
Super Dave said:
I guess it's hard to understand why someone would turn down a perfectly good gun for free. Well, my safe is full and I'm at the point where I need to start selling to make room. I've got all the revolvers I want. I enjoy the longer barrels and this one really would not be used. Sorry, I would not live with the rust and it would be refinished. I'll make some calls on Tuesday to see what the refinishing cost would be and make a decision.

Dave
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It's free, take it! If you ever sell it you'll make a profit.
 
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