S&W Factory Nickel Refinishing Job?

[Bullseye 2620]

I've been looking for a pristine P&R Model 57 in nickel with an 8-3/8" tube, and have been unsuccessful. So, I have been considering sending one of my blue Model 57s up to Smith & Wesson and asking them to refinish the revolver in factory nickel.

Does anyone have any experience with the factory re a nickel refinishing job? What else might experienced S&W aficionados recommend? I don't care about the collector value of the blued gun I am thinking of having refinished. I'm merely seeking recommendations as to the quality of the job I can expect from S&W, or, other options that experienced forum members may have.

Thanks!


Bullseye 2620

 

[Bullseye 2620]

I've been looking for a pristine P&R Model 57 in nickel with an 8-3/8" tube, and have been unsuccessful. So, I have been considering sending one of my blue Model 57s up to Smith & Wesson and asking them to refinish the revolver in factory nickel.

Does anyone have any experience with the factory re a nickel refinishing job? What else might experienced S&W aficionados recommend? I don't care about the collector value of the blued gun I am thinking of having refinished. I'm merely seeking recommendations as to the quality of the job I can expect from S&W, or, other options that experienced forum members may have.

Thanks!


Bullseye 2620

 

[Art Doc]

I have seen photos of guns plated by S&W and by Ford's refinishing and they all looked beautiful.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

SP,

Thanks for the recommendations. I looked at Ford's website, and indeed, they do beautiful work. A little more $$$ than S&W, but not enough to make a serious difference. I will give both Ford's and S&W a call in the morning and see if I can make a decision based on time and/or the customer service "intangibles."


Best,

Bullseye 2620

 

[rbmac52]

Bullseye

I've had three of my S&W revolvers undergo changes of finish at the factory. The first was a nickel Model 57 4" I had changed from blue. They did a terrific job. The second was a blue Model 36 no dash. They changed that one from blue to nickel and added a wide serrated target trigger. It, too, came out beautifully. The last, and most recent, was a Model 24-3 6-1/2". It was, of course, originally blued but I had them change the finish to nickel and add a red ramp front sight and white outline rear sight. This gun came out beautifully, as well. I highly recommend the factory finishing services. As I recall, the Model 24-3 took about 45 days and that was a little over two years ago.

Bob

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Bob,

Your experience gives me a lot more confidence that I won't be messing up a perfectly fine-looking blued gun by nickeling it. I am going to call S&W in the morning and see what their current schedule looks like. Current price for a bright nickel job is $225.


Vic

 

[DRYHEAT]

I had my 3.5" 27-2 re-nickeled at S&W's P.C. They did a GREAT job at a fair price. It is my favorite .357 "shooter".

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Heat,

Thanks so much! As they say, one picture is worth a thousand words. What a beautiful job. I'm convinced. I'll post photos of this 8-3/8" M-57 in nickel when it comes back from S&W, and its brother in blue.

Shoot pretty.


Bullseye 2620

 

[SmithNik]

Just out of curiosity, what is the cost of a nickel re-finish.
This would be for a nickel 29-3 ?

 

[Miss Fire]

Originally posted by Driheat:
I had my 3.5" 27-2 re-nickeled at S&W's P.C. They did a GREAT job at a fair price. It is my favorite .357 "shooter".

Simply beautiful, and great photography as well.
Very nice!

 

[max]

Several years ago,I had a very ratty 57 changed from blue to nickel and they did first rate work. Last year I had a ratty nickel 58 refinished and it is also first rate. I would not hesitate to do it again, but I only have one blue Smith left.

 

[MaineProbation]

I am not sure about the preparation that S&W uses to re-finish a gun in nickel but whatever it is seems to enhance the piece mechanically. I will say that my Model 49 came back not only with a beautiful finish but with an even smoother action than when it was sent. I have heard the same from others when going from a blue to nickel finish and having it done at the factory.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

The current cost of a factory refinishing job in nickel (or bright blue) is $225.

 

[toroflow1]

Hey Bullseye, I have a NIB and presentation case 57 8 3/8" nickel. I bought it new in 1983. It may be a 57-1, I'll have to verify. I do know that it is recessed but not pinned, a transition gun when they went from 57 to 57-1. Contact me offline if you are interested...I could be persuaded to sell!

 

[charlie sherrill]

They've done two for me. I picked up a 3 1/2" mod 27-2 a while back that I'm going to send them. It's got finish problems now so I don't feel like it will hurt any collector value. The new nickel finshes look original.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Originally posted by toroflow1:
Hey Bullseye, I have a NIB and presentation case 57 8 3/8" nickel. I bought it new in 1983. It may be a 57-1, I'll have to verify. I do know that it is recessed but not pinned, a transition gun when they went from 57 to 57-1. Contact me offline if you are interested...I could be persuaded to sell!

Hey Toroflow, I sent you an email, but send me some detailed photos of your piece or post them here. I am interested. Thanks!

 

[toroflow1]

Originally posted by Bullseye 2620:

Originally posted by toroflow1:
Hey Bullseye, I have a NIB and presentation case 57 8 3/8" nickel. I bought it new in 1983. It may be a 57-1, I'll have to verify. I do know that it is recessed but not pinned, a transition gun when they went from 57 to 57-1. Contact me offline if you are interested...I could be persuaded to sell!

Hey Toroflow, I sent you an email, but send me some detailed photos of your piece or post them here. I am interested. Thanks!

Will take pictures and send them to you...won't be till next week though.

 

[duckloads]

These nickle irons sure are nice. Would it be sinfull to have a 17-4 8-3/8" changed from blue to nickle?