Should I Refinish?

[BCDWYO]

I recently picked up one of the 3" 681 PC revolvers. It has the factory green finish on the frame with the black unfluted cylinder. The finish has moderate wear...say maybe 90-95%. I don't love the green finish to begin with, so since its worn, I'm considering having it redone by Robar with their NP3 finish. Since its a relatively uncommon model, I'm wondering about future resale value. I generally like to keep things factory original, but this might be an exception...thoughts??

 

[ChattCat]

I would think about a nice fine bead since it a stainless gun anyway. Ah La Natural! I'm kinda partial to stainless but not polished,like waving a mirror around. Nice gun though.

 

[Rpg]

To me, the value of this handgun refinished might equal the value as it is, although I'd need lots of info and inspection before I'd offer that much.

After running you around, I might offer 75% of the value as it is.

If you decide to refinish this thing, do so only if you plan to keep it in the family.

 

[Harkrader]

If it's a shooter, refinish as desired and don't worry about resale.
It it is a collector item, bury it in the safe or sell it.

All of mine are shooters. I ain't no museum!

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I would think about a nice fine bead since it a stainless gun anyway. Ah La Natural! I'm kinda partial to stainless but not polished,like waving a mirror around. Nice gun though.

This. The PC 681 is an awesome carry revolver, but green and black is kind of weird.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I really like the original finish/color scheme. It is very unique. Also when it was originally released it was before the current cerakote craze. Kind of ahead of it's time.

 

[snowman.45]

Attached, is the PC681 I got a while back. It came with the Birdsong Black and Green T combination described. I blasted it with aluminum oxide at 25 psi. It came out great. It's my favorite L Frame.

 

[yfdcap]

One thing I have never really worried about in my 40+ years of owning and collecting guns is resale. I want to shoot and enjoy all my guns. Even my rare ones. If you want to customize your gun for your own taste, have at it. Life is short. Have fun with your guns and shoot often. If down the road you need to sell it for some reason someone will buy it. Maybe not for as much as some but it will sell. If you have been shooting and enjoying it you got your moneys worth.

 

[BCDWYO]

Good points all. I'm no museum either and I shoot what I own. I intend to keep the 681PC for quite some time. As indicated, I USUALLY prefer to keep my less common guns factory original. Mainly because I prefer them that way, but also to maintain their collector value. Most of my guns will probably be resold someday, either by me or heirs. In this case I am leaning toward refinishing mainly because I think I will like it better, but also when it does come time to sell, serious collectors would be turned off by the current wear, and many potential buyers wouldn't like the green anyway. I don't expect the gun's value to increase by the cost of the refinish, but I'd guess the value would be similar and it might increase the pool of potential buyers.

 

[rwsmith]

Now that's purty.....

Attached, is the PC681 I got a while back. It came with the Birdsong Black and Green T combination described. I blasted it with aluminum oxide at 25 psi. It came out great. It's my favorite L Frame.

I don't care for a colored stainless revolver. Especially a green one. Looks don't matter much to me, it doesn't really matter if a gun is purple, but if I were thinking it needed some refinishing, I'd refinish it and most likely in this case would make it natural.

 

[kbm6893]

Wait. S&W made a green and black revolver? Never seen or heard of one. Anybody have a pic? Can't imagine wanting one but am curious

 

[ryxlyx]

One thing I have never really worried about in my 40+ years of owning and collecting guns is resale. I want to shoot and enjoy all my guns. Even my rare ones. If you want to customize your gun for your own taste, have at it. Life is short. Have fun with your guns and shoot often. If down the road you need to sell it for some reason someone will buy it. Maybe not for as much as some but it will sell. If you have been shooting and enjoying it you got your moneys worth.

Man that sure is my attitude!! And for at least 40+ years haha--

 

[JeepinSoldier]

Wait. S&W made a green and black revolver? Never seen or heard of one. Anybody have a pic? Can't imagine wanting one but am curious

Link to another forum thread with a pic of the green and black PC 681 for your viewing pleasure:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/330301-681-pc.html

 

[tim c]

if refinishing it makes you happy than i say go for it

 

[gumpys]

Brad ,

Yes those guns are tough to come across and have a collector following, but most collectors want 97-98 percent or better guns. I honestly say shoot it and enjoy it or refinish it and shoot it and if you ever have to sell it, as long as you didnt pay too much for it, you will get most of your money back since lots of folks like those as shooters/ carry guns .

 

[Tom_R]

Re do it the way you want it. It's a shooter and a carry gun. Set it up how you like, and let who you leave it to worry about originality/value.

Congratulations by the way, that is a great revolver that you have.

 

[BCDWYO]

Thanks guys, I'll post some pics if I get it refinished. In the mean time here is a "before" picture:

 

[Krell1]

I think if you go ahead and refinish it and you don't like it, there are more than enough people here that can take it off your hands.