S&W 17-3. Pitted bad. How to fix ?

[jjrr]

Clean it up and sand the heck out of the pitted areas and apply cold blue such as Brownells oxpho blue and you will have a cheap perfect function 17. If that is something that would be satisfactory to you, if you are looking for something to refinish it would be as others have pointed out not a good idea. I did what I described with a regulation police 32 in brand new mechanical condition that had pitting like you described on one side probably not as bad and it turned out to be a nice shooter that I could have in no way been able to afford if it did not have the damage on one side.

 

[Crew Leader]

I would first verify the rust didn't encroach on the internals. Good chance you could have internal issues as well that would in turn cost more than a re-finish. That said, I would pass on it as others have stated. Once again, for not a whole lot more money you could find a worthy 17-3 or 4 that looks, feels and shoots well. I had a pre 17 refinished a few years back and it was and is never the same. Should have had my head examined after pulling that stunt. Honest wear is beauty, negligence in care makes my stomach ill.

Good luck on your search, but my vote is for a nicer one. Spare yourself some time, dollars and possible frustration.

 

[Golphin]

Some here are saying that pitting will not come out. There is a member rjtmac over at Marlinowners.com that refinishes rifles ad is very good at it. I have seen many that had some pretty deep pitting that he refinished and got rid of the pitting. I am sure it takes some sanding on his part but he does it often and he does it well. So while not something we all would want to put the work in to do it is and can be done.

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[reddog81]

7 or 8 years ago I bought a 15-2 for $210 that had some bad pitting on one side of the barrel, yoke, cylinder. Other side looked great. They were selling as a gunsmith special. They suggested that once the barrel and cylinder were replaced and then refinished the gun would be great. I haven't done a single thing other than replace the dinged up rear sight blade. The gun has a great trigger and is as accurate as anything else out there. Replacing parts and refinishing would be as stupid as burning $100 bills. Appreciate it for what it is or leave it for someone else.

 

[SLT223]

Smith made A LOT of 17s. Just move on down the road. You WILL find one at a price you like. Just have a little patience. You'll be happy.

 

[steelslaver]

Unless you are willing to either do all the work yourself, including blueing or want a no worries knock around gun, pass. The cost of having it done would be cost more than it is worth.

Jim's home for wayward Smiths would probably buy it, strip it, glass bead blast it and then give it a bath in hot blue salts. But, I already have a blast cabinet and a hot blue setup and not that stuck on pristine.