S&W Blued Bead Blast Question

[326MOD10]

I am thinking of sending a Model 10 to Smith and Wesson for a combat action package which comes with a glass bead finish.

The revolver has some spots where the bluing is gone from it and is down to bare metal.

My question is does the glass bead finish only go over the bluing that is on the handgun and dull it or is it an actual new coating that will have the handgun stripped down to the bare metal and then refinished?

Thanks for the answers.

 

[jim46ok]

When you say "Bead Blast" keep in mind that can be kind of a generic term.... Depending on exactly what the blasting media is. Glass, polymer, walnut shells, carbide, aluminum oxide, etc.

When I Cerakote I blast with 120grit Aluminum Oxide (per Cerakote specs) and it removes all previous finish, including most surface rust. The finish then looks a lot like the Stainless finish you get on some guns when new.

If your gun is Steel, and it is blasted then SOMETHING must be applied to "seal" the surfaces, otherwise rust is almost certain. Good luck!

 

[BobG78]

The glass bead operation will remove the bluing. My guess is the extra $60 charge for carbon steel models covers the refinish. Please post photos when you get it back. Call S&W to find out for sure.

 

[326MOD10]

Thanks for the replies. Probably won't send her in until post tax return time and will get some up when she comes back.

I had a 19 done years ago and liked the results but it wasn't as challenged as this one. And the trigger job they do is wonderful.

 

[Aircrewman]

I have had two revolvers bead blast refinished: a model 19 and a model 28. Both came out very nice. A dark gray/black evenly coated rather deep and very business-like in appearance. You should be pleased should you have it done. The old finish is removed in the process.