S&W 908 What would you do?

[rosewood]

How about some pics of the process? I want to see what it looks like with the blueing removed. Might spur me to start on mine.


Here are a few pics. I broke or mangled 4 drift pins getting the extractor out.
I already sanded down some deep scratches ahead of the ejection port. The damage around the extractor pin hole is new and I blame the amateur that works in my garage (me).
I will post a few picks after I start smoothing it out on 400 grit and finer.

Those extractor pins are tight. I too broke a punch trying to remove one. The last one I bead blasted, I just taped up that section instead of removing it and made sure I cleaned out the crevices good with carb cleaner and compressed air when done.

If you were to bead blast it, you wouldn't need to remove those scratches, the bead blast would take care of it. But you would need the setup.

However, I bet a good mirror polish and then blueing would look nice.

Rosewood

 

[daffyfellow]

However, I bet a good mirror polish and then blueing would look nice.

Rosewood

So that brings us back to the original question.
When I get this thing all polished up, do I go for a nice deep blue?
Do I get a tougher QPQ Nitride?
Both processes will cost about the same because I am doing almost all of the prep work.

It's a one year only but it's been worked on and it doesn't have original box/papers.

Here are a few photos after some 400 grit. There are low spots on the sides and some machining ridges on the top. But I am in no rush. I will get there eventually.

 

[rosewood]

400 grit, 800 or 1000 grit, then 2000 grit and you can make a mirror finish. Sometimes good to go 90degrees perpinduclar between each grade to knock off scratches from previous grade of paper.

Rosewood

 

[stansdds]

If possible, with every change in grit or finer polishing compound, you polish perpendicular to the direction of the previous grit you used. This is more efficient and creates the smoothest surface possible.

 

[daffyfellow]

Update:
I have decided to send the slide, slide stop lever and safety/decocker lever to get a QPQ Nitride salt bath.
I got rid of the scratches and the shop will media blast any old blueing off.
Thank you to all for the advice.

 

[S&W59]

If you don't mind sending it off and paying a refinishing fee, S&W offers factory refinishing and re-anodizing for 3rd Gen pistols.

 

[daffyfellow]

If you don't mind sending it off and paying a refinishing fee, S&W offers factory refinishing and re-anodizing for 3rd Gen pistols.

I am only having the slide, safety lever and slide stop done.
I don't think S&W will provide me a more durable finish for $50.
The budget line blueing wasn't very good to begin with. And I have read that their new process doesn't provide a finish suitable for a working pistol.
For those purists out there, please understand that with the damage done by the previous owner and lack of box or paperwork, any collector value is gone.
I will be a carried working shooter.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Daffy, I appreciate your "labor of love'. You will never get your money out of it, but that clearly is not the point. I like to see people care for "non-collector firearms", especially the models 908, 910, and 915.

 

[A.Brown]

3rd Gen Keepers

I totally agree. I had a 410 and 457 that I cared for and loved for a while. Then my collection went a different direction, and a buddy promised to care for them. 6 mos. In his safe and he hasn't even fired them yet. But he won't sell them back so I know he'll take care of them.

 

[rosewood]

If you don't mind sending it off and paying a refinishing fee, S&W offers factory refinishing and re-anodizing for 3rd Gen pistols.

They will only put the factory blue back on it. I already called and they said they will not put the Nitride on a 908.

Rosewood

 

[rosewood]

I am only having the slide, safety lever and slide stop done.
I don't think S&W will provide me a more durable finish for $50.

They are going to nitride the slide for $50? Is that shipping and all? Please let me know how it turns out, for that price, I might just consider sending mine in.

Rosewood

 

[daffyfellow]

I am sending it off to JagerWerks.
I already had the slide disassembled but they offer to do it for free.
I will let you know how it turns out.