Advice on revolver mods- bead blast and sight work

[45Badger]

I've got a S&W model 66, 2.5" barrell. I just bought a beautiful set of Ahrends grips for this little gun, and want to spruce it up a bit.

Gun is very clean, except for a department stamping on the side of the barrel rib. The stamping is not too deep, and I think a bead blasting refinish could get rid of most of it.

The front sight has an orange insert. It's OK, but I'd like to replace it with a gold bead or strip.

Any recommendations on a revolver smith to do this basic worK? Any pics of work done?

 

[machinisttx]

Bead blasting isn't going to remove any stampings.

As far as the front sight... If it's an old style gun the front sight is a part of the barrel. The only option here is to have the front sight milled off and a recess cut + hole drilled for a pinned on front sight in your desired configuration--or having the red insert removed and a new one installed.

If it's a new style with a pinned on front sight, you can do it yourself by simply removing the pin and replacing the blade.

Bead blasting the gun will lower the value. Milling off the front sight will lower the value.

At the end of the day, would you rather have a $500-$600 gun or a $450 gun with more money than that in it?

 

[Brian Williams]

Jim at http://www.garthwaite.com/
I have seen some of his work and it just runs.
Go ahead and have a bead put on the front and have it bead blasted. I have a S&W 65 That I have spent more than it's value to customize and it has been worth every penny. I bought is for around $300 and put $125 to have the barrel swapped, $75 to have it moonclipped and will be putting a dove tailed bead front sight on it after I get the frame lug fixed.