Pinned mod. 60, to polish or not to polish?

[kritter]

Reading the comments here, and just wondering if anyone realized the first few thousand model 60's came from the factory with a high polished finish? back in 1965/66

 

[Arquebus357]

I say polish. Actually, I would prefer media blasted.

Before


After

 

[one eye joe]

Personally I have always polished my stainless revolvers over the years. I buy my revolvers to carry, not collect. I'm not concerned with the resale value because it's like used cars or anything else. Value is subjective to the buyer.

I AGREE WITH oldiesradio1560. I HAVE SHUNNED BLUED GUNS, FOR THE VERY REASON THAT I CAN POLISH IMPERFECTIONS OUT OF MY STAINLESS GUNS. 99% OF MY GUNS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED USED. I WILL USE THE POOR COSMETIC CONDITION OF A STAINLESS GUN'S FINISH AS A BARGAINING POINT--KNOWING THAT I CAN EASILY REMEDY THE SITUATION WITH SOME MOTHERS POLISH, AN OLD TEE SHIRT, AND A LITTLE TIME.....

I DON'T POLISH MY GUNS TO A MIRROR FINISH, BUT JUST ENOUGH TO REMOVE WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE OFFENSIVE SCRATCHES. I AM NOT GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE AN UGLY GUN, JUST SO SOME ORIGINALITY LOVER CAN BE SATISFIED, AT POINT OF RESALE....

I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM SELLING ANY OF MY POLISHED GUNS ! ! ! BELOW, ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE GUNS IN MY MODEST COLLECTION. ALL WERE PURCHASED USED. ALL WERE POLISHED......

THAT BRACE OF 629s ON THE BROWN LEATHER BACKGROUND, WERE SOLD TO AN OUTDOORSMAN IN CALIFORNIA, WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVED THEM. HE INTENDED TO CARRY THEM ON HUNTS. THEIR POLISHED CONDITION (THE BRIGHTEST THAT I EVER TURNED OUT) WAS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED, DURING THE SALE.....

THE 4", MODEL 617 REVOLVER, IN THE CENTER PIC, IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I PURCHASED NEW. I MODIFIED IT TO SUIT MY TASTE, WITH A PLUG IN THE HOLE, SOME NEW GRIPS, A NEW REAR SIGHT, AND A MILD POLISH. WHOEVER DOESN'T LIKE IT, SHOULD NOT BID ON IT, IF AND WHEN IT GOES UP FOR SALE. I GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL SELL, WITHOUT A PROBLEM ! ! !

 

[MetalMan]

I recently picked up a used Model 60 at local gun show from a retired LEO who was also an armorer for the Cincinnati PD.

Besides the high polish, he also bobbed the hammer and did an action job. Lovely to look at and a blast to shoot.

 

[one eye joe]

THAT IS A BEAUTY, MetalMAN. CONGRATULATIONS, AND BEST WISHES.....

 

[Mark IV]

I traded into a M60 Ladysmith .357 a couple years ago, one made in the '90s (dash-9, I believe).
These have the bead-blasted matte stainless finish that just looked "cheap" to me, and i've seen some polish jobs other guys had done on their revolvers (like the SP101) and always thought they looked great with that high-polish look, so I figured I'd gove it a try.
I got a little tub of Mothers Mag metal polish from my favorite auto parts store, then cut up a bunch of small rags from an old T-shirt, and sat in front of the TV watching a Star Trek marathon, and went it it for a couple hours.
Surprisingly, I was pretty close to done in that time (my buddy said he was expecting two weeks!).
I did a little fine tuning in another short session or two, but nothing too extensive, and everyone thinks the little 357 looks fantastic.
As long as it isn't something old or collectible, I'd go for it.

 

[wundudnee]

I got this 65-2 about four years ago with a full box of .357s, rubber grips and lots of scratches for $275.00. A little Mother's, a set of Hogues and here it is. I think it's pretty nice for an old beater. I probably wouldn't polish my 60 or 63, but I don't think I did the 65-2 any harm.

 

[shouldazagged]

Is it a carry gun or an investment to be turned around for a profit?

If it's to be carried (my EDC is a stainless steel J-frame) cosmetic considerations aren't that huge a deal for me--nobody else is going to see it unless he is on the really noisy end, and I'm not fanatical about appearance.

But then I've never been able to afford to be a speculator or a collector.