Polishing stainless steel frame/sideplate

[T2star]

Looking at a used 649 that is listed as lightly used but carried heavily with some obvious holster marks on the frame and sideplate. From the photos (linked below), it appears fairly superficial, and it seems to me could be largely polished out. Wanted to see what people thought, even if just based on a few images. Thanks.

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[chief38]

My honest opinion is to walk away! To me it seems that damage is far worse than that caused from any holster wear I've ever seen. In the long run you won't be happy and will have to invest more into it to properly rectify than you would need to add in the first place to buy one without the issue.

Let it go. There are plenty more out there!

 

[stansdds]

I'd like to see what the rest of the revolver looks like, specifically looking for signs of an attempt to refinish. I doubt what is pictured is due to holster wear.

 

[bearfoot]

after the mills furloughed us, worked in a T&D shop. the shop machined inconelle large nuc. sub. water valves. LSS, i discovered useing CRAYTEX on an air grinder to remove end mill marks, and the polishing was great. Home Depot used to sell the different shaped/ grit tips.

 

[chief38]

I keep posting this every few months but here goes again!

When a gun seems like a bargain because it has a defect, some people only look at the "great price" factor. They aren't realistic with themselves! They sometimes talk themselves into believing that they can "buff it out, tweak it in their basement, or it is just an issue that won't bother them. Most of the time they are wrong and usually spend more in the long run than to purchase a gun without the defects in the first place. They now will have a gun that has been "played with" at a no bargain price.

It is my life's experience and honest opinion that most times it's just better to walk away if one has to make excuses, ask about repair work before they even buy it, etc. I am not talking about someone purchasing a gun as part of a project or similar, but just as a regular gun to be used and carried.

There are many many good guns out there that when looking for a used gun, when I see more than just a minor scratch, or a part I can easily replace myself, etc. I walk away and continue the hunt. I've yet to not find what I am looking for. After all,,,,,,, "the hunt" is fun! LOL!

 

[Narragansett]

I keep posting this every few months but here goes again!

When a gun seems like a bargain because it has a defect, some people only look at the "great price" factor. They aren't realistic with themselves! They sometimes talk themselves into believing that they can "buff it out, tweak it in their basement, or it is just an issue that won't bother them. Most of the time they are wrong and usually spend more in the long run than to purchase a gun without the defects in the first place. They now will have a gun that has been "played with" at a no bargain price.

It is my life's experience and honest opinion that most times it's just better to walk away if one has to make excuses, ask about repair work before they even buy it, etc. I am not talking about someone purchasing a gun as part of a project or similar, but just as a regular gun to be used and carried.

There are many many good guns out there that when looking for a used gun, when I see more than just a minor scratch, or a part I can easily replace myself, etc. I walk away and continue the hunt. I've yet to not find what I am looking for. After all,,,,,,, "the hunt" is fun! LOL!

The hunt is the fun. I know that rash on the side would bother me. The more times I do it, the easier it is to walk away, and I have always landed on my feet with something better. Sometimes even for less money

 

[djohns6]

I'm not convinced it's holster wear , but it doesn't appear to be more than cosmetic . Have a gunsmith check out the mechanics of the pistol and then decide if you want to try and polish it out or live with it .