To polish my 686 or not.
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
My only concern would be disturbing the passivation layer.
I can say that, yes, glare is an issue on a shiny gun, especially without blued sights. I have a Model 65 that was hard carried by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. It developed a trigger stop issue so I sent it to SW who replaced the stop or spring and other unspecified stuff. If came back tight as a drum and an excellent shooter. I polished the heck out of it (3 hours?) to get rid of the scratches and it ended up looking like a nickel gun. After a while I grew tired of that and followed the advice here on the forum to tone down the shine to a more brushed look using grey 3m pads. I like it much better. I don't think I would again highly polish a stainless gun. Of course, that is the only one I have. YMMV
Lonestar57
Member
Over the years I've read many threads asking how to return a polished stainless gun back to the satin factory finish. So at that I'd say leave it alone. Just my opinion.
You either like them the way the came or you like them with a polished finish so it's up to you. It can hurt your resale value if it's a high grade sought after S&W revolver but probably not if it's a shooter grade revolver with wear. There was an article years ago in Gun's and Ammo where the gun writer talked about buying a Police trade in Stainless steal revolver that had lots of holster wear and he told how he polished it and made it look almost new.
Here's one of mine that I polished
Here's one of mine that I polished
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45Wheelgun
Member
I wouldn't do it "just because"., but I have done it do a "finished Challenged" Stainless gun. Since the gun was worth less than more pristine examples, I don't think it will effected the value of the gun. The 686 below was done while watching a movie (~3 hours)
I like the polished look myself. But it seems to be making the laser- etching (?) on my 629-6 Classic disappear from the barrel. Wish it was rolled in or something deeper. The smith insignia on the left plate is holding up a little better. Still pretty faint. But the "629 Classic" print on the right side of the barrel is virtually invisible. I thought I read a post where someone was commenting on the same thing. I would send it back and pay out of pocket for them to etch it in deeper, but I guess that isn't an option with whatever process they are using. Unfortunate, as the .44 magnum printed on the left side is nice and deeply printed. As is the "made in U.S.A" Springfield Ma bit under the trigger on right plate. The gun seemed dirty to me off the shelf when I bought it brand new/unfired. And I don't regret running it down with mothers mag polish at all. I didn't put hours of elbow grease into either, but something had to be done to it to clean it up. Just wish that barrel etching was more prominent. Oh well?
UNCLE PAULY
Member
Polished a new S&W 686+ 3" TALO edition before I ever shot it.
Mother's Chrome & Mag polish on a cut up white cotton tee shirt.
Hand rub until dirty, toss out and start over with new polish and cloth.
Something to do while watching TV.
Don't touch the top surface, between front and rear sights.
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Mother's Chrome & Mag polish on a cut up white cotton tee shirt.
Hand rub until dirty, toss out and start over with new polish and cloth.
Something to do while watching TV.
Don't touch the top surface, between front and rear sights.
__________________
what brand/type polish did you use on that? That's a mirror polish.I wouldn't do it "just because"., but I have done it do a "finished Challenged" Stainless gun. Since the gun was worth less than more pristine examples, I don't think it will effected the value of the gun. The 686 below was done while watching a movie (~3 hours)
tanker1983
Member
Ok, well, I admit, I detest it. It is now a non original finish, and detracts from the value. Maybe its a leftover from the talk of the original stainless guns in cop circles that the new stainless guns would give away your position because they were shiny. Anyway, I prefer the frosty finish on stainless guns.
In full disclosure, I did use some polish to clean up an old 66 that had some tarnish, but only to clean it up a bit.
In reality, it is your gun and you should do what appeals to you. Some will like it, some will not. That's the way of the world.
In full disclosure, I did use some polish to clean up an old 66 that had some tarnish, but only to clean it up a bit.
In reality, it is your gun and you should do what appeals to you. Some will like it, some will not. That's the way of the world.
Cheers those pics above gave me the courage to do it.
Admittly not mirror finish but certinally a lot better looks like factory. Just gotta now get some more micro fibre cloths to polish it.
My orginal finish was certinally in a used state now it looks shiny and less used.
Approx time taken 1.5hrs or 2 epsoide of the outsiders. Using Chux clothes then at the end microfibre cloths
Admittly not mirror finish but certinally a lot better looks like factory. Just gotta now get some more micro fibre cloths to polish it.
My orginal finish was certinally in a used state now it looks shiny and less used.
Approx time taken 1.5hrs or 2 epsoide of the outsiders. Using Chux clothes then at the end microfibre cloths
AveragEd
Member
I think if you want a gun that looks like a car bumper (obviously from a old car) you should buy a nickled one. But if you ever want to restore your gun to how it is supposed to look, that can be done in a little less time than polishing it. Krieghoff shotguns have receivers finished in brushed nickle and stocks with a matte urethane finish. When those surfaces take on a polished look from handling, Krieghoff owner's manuals recommend rubbing them with 0000 steel wool to restore the finish.
As far as the laser etching, I would imagine that S&W could remark it after removing it completely. They did it once, right? But it would have to completely removed because they apparently can only come close to matching it as proven by the 629 DX guns. I haven't seen one where the "DX" added after test-firing was the same "darkness" as the "629 Classic" and mine is no exception.
Ed
As far as the laser etching, I would imagine that S&W could remark it after removing it completely. They did it once, right? But it would have to completely removed because they apparently can only come close to matching it as proven by the 629 DX guns. I haven't seen one where the "DX" added after test-firing was the same "darkness" as the "629 Classic" and mine is no exception.
Ed
bananaman
Member
What grade mothers polish or flitz is recommended? Thanks
