When is it ok to refinish??

[OIF2]

Interesting thread...like everything else. there's no "correct" answer. Collectables usually shouldn't be refinished, BUT sometimes it's not a bad idea. Below is a non-reg magnum that was in terrible shape and benefitted from a nice restoration by Gene Williams. I think this revolver is more valuable now and certainly gives me much more pleasure.

Here's a nice 10-5 that was also redone by Gene. I wanted it redone because it shoots to POA with the loads I shoot, carries up perfectly and would be cheaper than searching for another "shooter". Looks great, shoots great and keeps me from shooting my "safe queens".
Bob

 

[Jack Flash]

I think that there are times when refinishing can't hurt. See the earlier post about the Luger that got run over by a tank as one good example.

Another instance is when the gun has already been refinished, especially if the first refinish was done poorly. How can it hurt to do another, better, refinish?

Finally, if the gun has had other drastic modifications (shortened barrel, SB to RB frame conversion, social security number scratched into the frame, etc.)

In these types of cases you probably will not hurt the value of the gun any more than someone else already has, so if you have the money and want to spend it with your eyes wide open to the likelyhood that you will never get back what you have in it, that's your choice.