Recommendation for having a Mod 10-7 reblued

[Hawk388]

My Step-Father, a LEO for 32 years, gave me this gun to take to Iraq with me in 2003. When the time came where my main weapon, M4, was damaged due to an explosion, this .38 saved my life.

In 2007 while stationed at Fort Rucker, AL and going through TBI treatment, our house was hit by an F4 tornado. This precious handgun was lost for almost a year before I finally found it using my Garrett AT Pro. She was in horrible shape. I cleaned her up the best I could, then put her in a new safe.

Now, in 2016, she has some rust on her. Timing is perfect and she shoots straight. But the condition is really starting to get to me because I want to pass this on to my own son one day. My father didn't know how many rounds he had shot through it, but he carried it until the day he retired.

Now, I need a good place to get her cleaned up and in like new condition. Any background info someone needs of me to prove my background, I have. I don't have a bunch of money to get this taken care of, but also, I need it done because of the sentimental value she represents to me and because my son, who is 23, loves this wheel gun.

Any recommendations would be highly appreciated. I just recently bought two Bodyguard .380's with laser sights and a .22 target pistol. I'd like to get trigger jobs done on the .380's at some point. The SW22 Victory is a fine weapon as is.

My thanks for any help.

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! Your Model 10 has a lot of family history. If you refinish it, it lowers the gun value in most cases. But it is something that will be kept. I personally don't like shabby looking guns. There are durable finishes that can be applied. I have no experience with them.
My father when in his 80's gave me his M&P, 6" (.38) shipped June 1919. I shot it a few years. Then I gave it to my oldest son. Keep us posted on your progress! Bob

 

[sholsclaw]

Welcome to the Forum from the Foothills of NC. Sounds like a
good candidate for Smith's repair team. I sent a S&W 19-3 back
to them for reblue, springs and screws. They kept it for about
2.5 months. The results were spectacular. Call them, tell them
what you need. They can price the job. My cost was in the
$375 range. To me, worth every cent.

 

[poordevil]

What sholsclaw said. Might even think about having it Nickeled. Smith and Wesson charge the same for blue or Nickel.

 

[Jdavis]

Your best bet for a refurbishment will be Ford's Refinishing in Crystal River, Florida or Smith and Wesson. I have had experience with both and either of them will return the gun to you in like new condition. IMHO, Ford's is a bit more meticulous of the two. Be patient, both companies have a backlog of work. You will not be disappointed with either company,

 

[Hawk388]

$300-$400 is gonna tax my budget. But I don't care about resale. This weapon has tremendous family history and I actually had to fire it on an enemy soldier to save lives. He had an RPG and my M4 was in pieces. I pulled this .38 out of my flight vest and it made a huge difference for our day.

Cost be damned. I'll save for it. Thank you all for your recommendations.

 

[sheepdawg]

Timing is perfect and it shoots straight, was your dad's, saved your life in Iraq, survived a tornado, lost for a year.

And it shoots straight.

Sorry I just couldn't strip away all that history. I'd get a kick telling my son the history behind each little imperfection. Your son would cherish it even more. Buy him a clean Model 10 to go with it.

 

[Jdavis]

$300-$400 is gonna tax my budget. But I don't care about resale. This weapon has tremendous family history and I actually had to fire it on an enemy soldier to save lives. He had an RPG and my M4 was in pieces. I pulled this .38 out of my flight vest and it made a huge difference for our day.

Cost be damned. I'll save for it. Thank you all for your recommendations.

Standard blue will run you $220.00. High polish/bright blue will run around $350. Check the S&W site under Performance Center, gunsmith services. Ford's prices are about the same.
Below is a photo of my model 10-6 that was refinished in S&W standard blue. Cost was $220 and it looks like bright high polish blue.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hell Hawk, I have a few like you do. Clean inside and works perfect, but looks like heck. Lots of history there. Why buff it all off?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Interesting - great history, tough decision. If you document that history via affidavit, especially if your step-father is still with you and can execute his own affidavit, the gun's provenance to future generations will render it priceless in more ways than one. Once you re-blue it or nickel it, well, it's pretty but it's not the same gun. Cleaned up, as in removing the rust, is a great idea. But re-coating it in any way, unless it's just already a total rust bucket (doesn't sound like it) doesn't do much for a heritage item like that. If it functions well it deserves to not be rusty but, other than that, man, I'd leave it alone myself – and I really would do affidavits on its long history, where it's been, how it was used, with details. In today's world the affidavit can literally have a photograph inserted, too. What a wonderful item to pass down – a double hero's gun.

Good job – we thank your whole family for all of your service!

 

[M1A]

I have a Combat Magnum from my late brother in law. His duty weapon as a police commander. He had it nickel chromed someplace and it was no longer looking good at all. I sent it to Fords. It took more than 6 months, $350.00, but was worth it.

 

[rwt1405]

Thank you, and your Father, for your service!

What a great gun to have, I hope it stays in your family for many generations!

 

[jdlii]

I have a Combat Magnum from my late brother in law. His duty weapon as a police commander. He had it nickel chromed someplace and it was no longer looking good at all. I sent it to Fords. It took more than 6 months, $350.00, but was worth it.

That my friends is a "blue finish" that you can step into and become lost! Beautiful!

 

[DWalt]

I'll side with those who believe that its present condition is the result of, and is an integral part of, its history. I wouldn't refinish it under any circumstances if it were mine. If you want a nice-looking Model 10, you can buy a good one for not much more than it would cost to refinish yours. Then you'll have two Model 10s.

 

[heron163]

A picture would help shape my answer...

if it has pits in the surface, it may be not worth refinishing as a lot of metal will need to be removed to give it that original look finish. The roll marks will probably be leveled out too.

I did send my gramps model 19 back to S&W it was just badly holster worn though. came back as others have said - beautiful. I honor his memory just by looking at it...

 

[S42N8]

Great story, great thread. Thank you for your service.
I've done a refinish at Ford's and highly recommend them...but unless your M10 is really bad, I'd seriously consider keeping it as is. Much history there, and it can wear that proudly. That said, your M10 has served your family faithfully and well. and if you choose the refinish, can't argue against it. Enjoy shooting it!

 

[Seven High]

Have you considered a do it yourself project? There are YouTube videos showing how.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

As others have said, I'd like to see some pictures of this old war horse. And unless it was in deplorable condition, I'd clean it up and give it the museum treatment with Renaissance Wax and leave it be.

 

[g8rb8]

This gun has a good bit of history:
-owned by your step-father.
-LEO gun.
-a trip to Iraq.
-saved your life (in Iraq).
-lost in a tornado.
-lost for a year.
-found with perseverance and a metal detector.
-still works.

I would leave the gun alone other than cleaning it and wiping it down with oily rag once in awhile, write up a story of its history, place that history in a container (gun rug, etc.) along with the gun, take it out once in awhile to shoot it or tell stories about it, and pass it down to one of my kids. I might even make it a home gun or night stand gun.

 

[V1 Rotate]

I have a lot of respect for those who say leave it alone, its finish is an honorable part of its history and character.

But I'll also be willing to bet that if you contacted Smith and told them your story, they would go out of their way to make sure this special revolver was redone as perfectly as they can make it. Bill S