Smith refinishing question, please

[Dukesamson]

Can anyone share their results from having smith & wesson refinish gun specifically brushed/ polished stainless steel, thanks in advance

 

[Rock185]

Hello Dukesamson, Long time ago I had my 66 no dash completely overhauled at S&W, retaining only the original frame and side plate. After replacing all the rest of the parts, they redid the brushed finish. It came out looking like new. Much more recently, I sent a 686 to S&W for some work. The gun was in nice shape, but the gunsmith decided to lightly refinish the whole gun, which removed signs of minor external wear. That one came out looking like new too. I have no doubt they could do just as well refinishing their semi-autos. Nice work on both jobs, though separated by many years...

 

[18DAI]

S&W had my 4506-1 duty pistol for two months on a warranty repair. I asked them to refinish it and install a new rear sight blade while it was there.

After almost eight weeks I was sent a letter stating it would be $222 to bead blast it and install a new rear sight blade. I had them send it back instead.

I'll probably send my 4506-1 to Novaks for refinish this fall. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[Chefjon]

I can't attest to S&W's factory refinish, but I can attest to the power and value of a Scothchbrite pad and an hour's worth of gentle polishing. What and how bad is it? Pics please!

 

[Rock185]

WoW 18DAI, That does seem like a bit much doesn't it. I acquired a bead blast cabinet,etc. a few years ago and have been refinishing my stainless guns myself. Be interesting to see what they quote Dukesamson if he decides to go with them...

 

[Hill_Country]

WoW 18DAI, That does seem like a bit much doesn't it. I acquired a bead blast cabinet,etc. a few years ago and have been refinishing my stainless guns myself. Be interesting to see what they quote Dukesamson if he decides to go with them...

I've often wondered about doing the same thing. May I ask a couple of questions, please -
1) What does the bead blasting do to the laser etched SN, etc? Does it have to be protected?
2) How difficult is the clean up? Does the gun have to be completely disassembled or will a parts cleaning tank and compressed air do the worst of it?

Thanks.

 

[ajamesp51]

I've often wondered about doing the same thing. May I ask a couple of questions, please -
1) What does the bead blasting do to the laser etched SN, etc? Does it have to be protected?
2) How difficult is the clean up? Does the gun have to be completely disassembled or will a parts cleaning tank and compressed air do the worst of it?

Thanks.

If you use a fine glass bead, you should be fine for your laser etching. Even when I refinish the Shields that I have been doing for members here and they ask me to remove the warning. I switch to Aluminum Oxide 80grit to give the slide a nice tooth. And to remove the warning I have to go over that area for a lot longer than I normally would.

The fine glass bead, will polish more than remove material you can almost hit it all day and not remove deep scratches. Part of the art of refinishing is the media you use vs. time vs air pressure vs nozzle size.

That grit gets everywhere into every nook and cranny. If you have a spring in a hole with a little bit of oil the stuff just gums everything up. In my shop the rule is 100% disassemble then a degrease (you do not want to contaminate the media, dry the parts then blast. Clean again to make sure you have no grit, oil and reassemble. Or after blasting chemically degrease and spray on a new finish, bake, oil then reassemble.

Yea my first post!

 

[shawn mccarver]

Can anyone share their results from having smith & wesson refinish gun specifically brushed/ polished stainless steel, thanks in advance

The pistol will come back looking like it left the factory yesterday. The cost is well worth it as they really do great work.

 

[fuzzymcnab]

Duke,

I had Smith refinish my 1066 last year. I was very pleased. Keep in mind that the entire pistol will be matte, there is no polishing of flats on the slide. I was completely satisfied with the work, and I am very critical.
fuzzy

 

[broberts001]

I sent in my 1006 and 1066 about 3 weeks ago to have them refreshed to the factory finish. As soon as they get back, I will post up some pics.

-Bryan