Refurbed 66 back from S&W

[VictorLouis]

This was one of last year's batch sold-off by Sportsman's Warehouse that there's been several posts about. One tale was that many had come from S. America, and yet another, Puerto Rico. Both locales sharing that lovely, tropical humidity. Suffice to say, once the grips came off...OMG, the nasty brown stuff. Rear sideplate screw was likely rusted shut, I didn't try to find out. Ditto the forward sight tenon screw. I decided to bite the bullet, and pay to send her off. I asked for the 'satin', original style finish, if at all possible

It's pretty clear that it was polished. The grain on the cylinder appears that it was done in a rather 'twirling' motion, leaving the polishing marks in a rather X-pattern around the curves. Nothing like the standard finish, which is at a right-angle to the straight lines of the cylinder. Note the bottom inside of the trigger guard, and what was left at the right rear of the recoil shield, and rear sideplate screw. For the money charged, I had assumed (hoped) that a new(used?) sideplate would have been fitted.

I am ambivalent about the results. I've posted here to get your feedback.

 

[VictorLouis]

...and some more close ups

 

[VictorLouis]

...and the final

 

[ken158]

Well, you gotta take the cost of the gun and refurb into consideration or just wait for a better one to come along. Since you didn't say what have in the final project, I would hate to be over $500 in that one if I was going to flip it or just keep it as a truck gun.

 

[UncleEd]

Yes, what was the cost of the gun
and then what was the cost of
S&W refurbish, minus any shipping
costs you may have incurred?

As to the pitting in the backstrap,
perhaps S&W didn't want to
diminish or lesson the sharpness
of the serrations. Would you
have accepted flattened down
serrations?

 

[Old_Cop]

I would have suggested using a grey scotch pad in a front to back or back to front pattern. You still could if you are unhappy with S&Ws work. You know what assumed stands for, right?

 

[sigp220.45]

I bought one of the Sportsman's Warehouse rusty 66s and went the DIY route. I had to cut the Pachmayr's off, then it was into the soak for a week. I had to replace the rear sight blade because it broke off when I tried to straighten it.

My gun had also been polished by an "I like shiny" cop from the Policia de Puerto Rico, so I got some grey and maroon Scotch Brite pads and had it looking ok after a few hours.

I got mine because it was cheap and I didn't want to sink any more money into it. I already have a nice 19 snub so I gave this one to my nephew for his birthday.

I'm with you on the "refinish" by S&W. That is definitely not a return to the original finish, more like a selective polish job. It seems like a bead-blast would have given it a closer look to the matte finish.



Should I buy this 66-1 snub? Update - still there so I got it.

 

[oink]

It was obviously in pretty bad shape. I think it looks pretty good considering. It was never going to be a new gun. It should be a great EDC or nightstand gun. Heck, put some fancy grips on it, slide it in a carved holster and take it to your next BBQ.

 

[Nightowl]

It is not a collector gun and never was, so the important thing now is how does it function and how well does it shoot?

 

[PatriotX]

Pitting can be addressed by addition of material [microwelding] or removal of material [polishing/grinding]

All things considered, results look acceptable. Have you met pigpen?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...gpen-edit-engraved.html?636086=#post140985018

 

[ladder13]

I probably would have just done Scotchbrite, but not my money nor my gun.

 

[twodog max]

IMO for a rusted up revolver with pitting under the grips, frozen screws I think the results are acceptable. I you paid a bundle well that was your call before you started. It was not and is not now a collectors piece, carry and shoot it a lot with no reservations as the new disappeared long ago in some tropical climate.

 

[Jack Flash]

I am always interested in seeing just what the possibilities and limits are for a gun sent to S&W. Thanks for posting this.

My takeaway from this is that they can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and they don't try. They made it more or less presentable and (hopefully) 100% reliable functionally.

I too would like to know the initial purchase price and the refit/refurbish charges.

 

[colt_saa]

Based on your description, I think the revolver looks pretty good.

If the photos were in focus and possibly better lit maybe we could tell more

However you knowingly bought a rusted firearm then sent it off for a makeover. It sounds like your expectations were too high

They only had so much to work with

As others have already pointed out, this was never going to be more than a shooter

I am guessing that Smith & Wesson gave you a price/estimate before starting the work. You could have had it sent back untouched if the price was too high

I have bought more than one finish challenged/rusty firearm in my day. As long as they are mechanically sound they are very good starting points for engraving projects which will be blued or buffed after the embellishment is completed

 

[sikacz]

Considering your description, I'd be perfectly happy with the end results. Go shoot it.

 

[minconrevo]

If the cylinder notches are any indicator of the rest of the 66, it's pretty low miles. Overall the revolver looks pretty good now, certainly should be a solid shooter. The grip frame under the Goodyear's is ugly but key word is "under" as new grips will cover.

 

[MrG5122]

I watch these regularly on GB. I don't know what you have in it, but in today's market comparable 66 snubs are hammering in the $900-1000 range. LNIB $1200-1500.

 

[Chukar60]

Without pics of the before condition it is impossible to gauge the work that was done.
Based on your description, I would be happy with what was done.
It is a shooter grade at best and always and forever will be.
I learned my lesson years ago and spend no money on guns making them into something they are not already.

 

[mikerjf]

I go by the philosophy that you can get whatever you want as long as you are willing to pay more than it's worth.

(As a result, I don't have much, but I like what I have.

 

[TAROMAN]

Stainless beater gun, looks OK for what it is.

 

[John Patrick]

OP, I don't love what S&W did wrt the finish, but you've got a reliable, "worry free," carry revolver. Enjoy it for what it is.

 

[VictorLouis]

THanks for all of the input, all.

Iou know what assumed stands for, right?

Yeah, and OUCH, Brutha!

They made it more or less presentable and (hopefully) 100% reliable functionally.

I too would like to know the initial purchase price and the refit/refurbish charges.

....

However you knowingly bought a rusted firearm then sent it off for a makeover. It sounds like your expectations were too high

They only had so much to work with

As others have already pointed out, this was never going to be more than a shooter

I am guessing that Smith & Wesson gave you a price/estimate before starting the work. You could have had it sent back untouched if the price was too high

I think I've come to terms with that line of thought. The following if from their site:
High Bright Polish (Blue, Stainless Steel or Nickel) - $275
Glass Bead Nickel (except Stainless) - $220
Standard Polish & Blue - $220
Glass Bead Blue & Stainless Steel - $170

However, mine was a bit over $300, I think for the sight, plus the shipping.

 

[smithman]

I'd have likely cleaned that up myself. Still, I think S&W did ok. Did you expect to have all pitting polished out and unnoticeable , etc? I'm not attacking you. Honest question.

 

[kbm6893]

I've resurrected a few guns that were in bad shape. I would have taken it apart after soaking the screws in Kroil, given it a week long bath in ATF, and given it a thorough cleaning. But sending it to Smith means they inspected all the parts, so that's a plus.

Bottom line, it looks nice now and you'll make more money. Go shoot it.

 

[StakeOut]

I've always made it a personal rule to just say no to project firearms no matter how good the price.
I have bought a lot of police demilled guns just for the cheaper parts.

 

[ruger 22]

I am not a collector so this gun looks great to me. It would be sheer pleasure to shoot this. My guess is also that you did OK with it. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[ironhead7544]

I would be happy with that one. Perfectly good carry revolver.

 

[AveragEd]

I guess I'm being overly fussy but I wouldn't be happy with that job. I mean, when you send something back to the manufacturer for restoration work, you expect it to be restored not just "made better."

By comparison, here are some "after" photos of a no-dash Model 67 I bought used a few years back. It had been polished to a gloss that would have made a '60s Cadillac bumper envious and had a few scuffs and scratches on it. My gunsmith dissembled the gun, went over it completely and did his restoration of the brushed stainless finish for $115. It came to me with no stocks - it had a rubber grip on it in the photos the seller sent me so I installed a set of checkered targets from my collection.

Ed

 

[M29since14]

I can't tell much from the photos, but that gun looks "decent" to me. I've certainly seen a lot worse.

A long time ago I bought a police trade-in 66 from now-defunct SOG. Stamped NJ DEPT OF CORR below the cylinder window, left side. It was pretty funky when it arrived, but also obvious it hadn't been fired much. After considerable cleaning, a new rear sight blade, a new red ramp insert, a Power end-shake shim, and a set of light-colored checkered targets, I started using it. I still have it. It's not beautiful, but I have grown to really like it and it gets more use than any of my other .357s. Hopefully you'll have similar thoughts about your refurbed 66 some day.

 

[LOBO]

Looks good to me.