Derosoa, Go steelers. I grew up In Johnstown. Thanks, I will check out
Doc's.
rwsmith, called Smith and like you said, their bluing won't match. Smith also said that they would not re-pin the barrel. I have the barrel just need the right gunsmith. I will probably have a lot of trouble getting a bluing match.....
There's a fellow in Denton, David Smith, of Western Tactical Gunsmithing who specializes in S&W revolvers. I've tried to reach him a couple times since moving from that area, with no luck. He still has a web presence, but I'm not certain he's still in business. Very knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with. If you can reach him, let me know. Good shootin',
Doug
I have not talked to him since 2006 when I was last in Dallas but (Thomas) Dave Walters (Walters Industries) 6226 Park Lane in Dallas 692-6973 built several 1911s for me and tuned up several Smith DA revolvers.
I was in need---match the cylinder to the rest----called Turnbull (back in the day when they'd do S&W's). Can you do? Yes.
Six weeks later I'm in the neighborhood---and light out for Turnbulls.
I need-----------No can do----Well I called, and you said yes.
Who'd you talk to? Hell, I don't know! Well I'm So&So, and I'm in charge of all bluing---and no can do.
Then he softened up a bit , and explained as follows: I can reblue that cylinder, and it will look exactly like it did when it left the factory----exactly! BUT---but bluing is a living thing---it reacts to its environment---the way it looks today is not the same way it looked then. Then the clincher: I can blue that piece 50 times---changing the mix every time---heat/oxidizers/time---and I MIGHT get lucky twice. How do you like those odds?
Alex Hamilton can do this job properly at a reasonable price.
A few months back he switched out a 6-1/2 inch barrel on a 29-2 for a 4-inch barrel at a cost of $70.00 with one-day turnaround.
Special equipment is needed to prevent bending (springing) the frame and a special barrel vice is also required, I believe. Anyway, Alex is a total gentleman and a pleasure to work with. You can reach him here:
Ten-Ring Precision, Inc.
1449 Blue Crest Lane
San Antonio, Texas 78232
PHONE: (210) 494-3063
FAX: (210) 494-3066
EMAIL: [email protected]
He can handle the bluing too, although I would recommend rebluing the entire gun, with the new barrel, so that everything matches.
Hope this helps.
He's doing an action job on a 617 no dash I've got right how. I have nothing but good things to say about Alex and his work.
You might also check with the gunsmith at Ray's Sporting Goods and Hardware in West Dallas (at the corner of Sylvan and Singleton), They rebarreled a 629-1 for me. The turnaround was quick (2 weeks) and the work was first rate.