Used model 28-2 needs refinish

LostintheOzone

LostintheOzone

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I just purchased a 28-2 that needs to be refinished. I haven't seen it yet but it but photos show some bluing loss.

I was wondering if anyone here has had S&W refinish a 54 yo revolver recently. I just want it back to original as close as I can get it. I'm sure I can find someone locally to do it but if S&W can do it for a reasonable price and the return time isn't months I might try that.

I'll call them tomorrow but just interested in others recent experiences.

Thanks.
 
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DR505 said:
You may know, but S&W uses a different bluing process, more EPA compliant, than they did when your revolver was made. It may very well look different.
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Thanks.

Maybe just a matt re-blue is in order. This isn't a collector but it was described as mechanically perfect and lightly used. No cyl. turn line. We all know those 50+ YO Smiths deserve some TLC. ;)
 
Plus unless it is missing a whole lot of blue it may look better with a new blue job, but it will not shoot any better or be worth any more.

I get wanting them to look nice. But it is not money well spent. Better to pay more for the gun in the first place. I buy and do project guns, I made my own blue rank setup. I also know I am only making nice shooters that will never be worth anything but shooter prices.
 
LostintheOzone said:
This isn't a collector but it was described as mechanically perfect and lightly used. No cyl. turn line. We all know those 50+ YO Smiths deserve some TLC. ;)
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That doesn't sound like the description of a gun badly in need of a re-finish. "No cylinder turn line" and it needs a re-finish? I've seen more than a few claimed ANIB guns with distinct turn lines. Please post pictures when you can. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
steelslaver said:
Plus unless it is missing a whole lot of blue it may look better with a new blue job, but it will not shoot any better or be worth any more.

I get wanting them to look nice. But it is not money well spent. Better to pay more for the gun in the first place. I buy and do project guns, I made my own blue rank setup. I also know I am only making nice shooters that will never be worth anything but shooter prices.
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That's a good perspective. Shooters don't need to look good. I have several of those that don't even get cleaned but once or twice a year. I shoot almost everything I own.

The problem with that is family members keep dumping firearms on me because they don't know how to disposes of them.

The market is awash in unwanted firearms. I just purchased one in an auction. No bidders except me. 1968 model 28.
 
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LostintheOzone said:
That's a good perspective. Shooters don't need to look good. I have several of those that don't even get cleaned but once or twice a year. I shoot almost everything I own.

The problem with that is family members keep dumping firearms on me because they don't know how to disposes of them.

The market is awash in unwanted firearms. I just purchased one in an auction. No bidders except me. 1968 model 28.
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Well, if your safe gets too full, I still have a little room left in one of mine. I'll even split shipping with you. :D
 
The cost of a factory refinish is chump change, compared to anyone else---any place else. That said, the factory will do/won't do different things at different times. Time was when they would refinish any gun they ever made. That time is long gone, so step one is to determine their current will do/won't do policy.

Given what I suppose will be a declination to refinish your gun, step two is to come back here for recommendations on where to have it done. That process will include a host of naysayers telling you to not refinish it---apparently having lost sight of the fact that it's your gun and your money. The good news is there are others with good recommendations.

Ralph Tremaine

As an aside, I suspect (do not know) the early Highway Patrolmen were prepared for bluing with a glass bead peening outfit (using very fine beads)----which I'm inclined to believe is the way to go for a refinish (rather than polishing------which would have to be done by an expert-----and would cost many beaver-skins). Without having the first clue what I'm talking about as respects the peening (which I've used extensively, but only to clean engine bits (pistons/valves/cylinder heads and whatnot) where the uniformity of the finish is not all that important (nice to look at, but not all that important once the engine is fired). There is an Alabama refinishing outfit frequently recommended by "Wiregrassguy" here which I (again) suspect but do not know can do such work. I'm guessing, but I suspect the process would be to strip the old bluing, and head for the glass bead peening outfit---then make everything squeaky clean, and into the bluing tank.
 
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While I would not recommend a refinish on a 95% or better gun. Nor a hard to find model with even less finish, I am a serious believer in doing what you want to your gun to make it suit you. After all I have molested quite a few and reblued about 10 of them myself. But, I also have 4 HPs all with some finish wear and they will stay that way. They were never meant to be beauty queens.

While Highway Patrolmen are great guns they are not uncommon. You pay $600 for one then another $300 for a blue job and it will not be worth anywhere near what a NIB gun you would pay $1000 or so for right now. Plus, in a few years and it wouldn't mater if you keep both of them waxed and stored or shot them, light or heavy, the refinished gun will not be worth the money the original finish gun is

It is a simple truth that a lot of people wanting to refinish their gun do not know or understand
 
I must agree with some of the other Forum members...it's your revolver and it's your decision. However, unless the HP is really beat up, rusty/pitted, and in dire need of a refinish (which it doesn't sound like from your description!), I would leave it as is and enjoy shooting it! As you know, the Highway Patrolman models were the "working man's" .357 Magnum N-frame revolver. They were designed and finished to be work horses and to be used like army mules! OK, maybe that was a little harsh. But they are built like tanks and meant to be carried and shot. I have a few nice HPs (ca. 1954-1974), and I wouldn't mess with the finish on any of them. But that's my decision. Good luck, enjoy!
 
I have never had a revolver refinished. If it needs a refinish, I wouldn't buy it. I have a feeling yours doesn't need a refinish. It will never be original again and a refinish won't get you close to original. Post some pics when you get it.
 
LostintheOzone said:
family members keep dumping firearms on me because they don't know how to dispose of them.
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Sounds to me like they have a pretty good handle on it. :D

LostintheOzone said:
It's going to take awhile to get this gun in hand, being in WA, so I'll just post this one picture for now. It came from an auction site so hope that isn't against the rules.



I can't see a turn line on the cylinder.
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There's nothing about that revolver that needs refinishing. You'd ruin a perfectly nice example of a M28 that looks really well cared for, given its age. Looks better than my 1973 example, which has a slight turn line, and I consider my gun 95%.
 
Thanks everyone.

I bought this one to shoot. I only have one pistol that I don't shoot because it was a military arsenal refinish that has some increased value potential.
 
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