For those who suggested I use S&W

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Some highroaders suggested I use S&W for non-warranty work for a revolver.

Over on the S&W forum, a couple guys used Smith for refinishing, work, etc., on older revolvers.

One guy sent his P&R Model 57 back for refinishing. Smith buffed the trademark off the sideplate (or else replaced the sideplate with a newer model) and stamped a trademark under the cylinder release.

Another guy (same thread) said Smith did the same thing to his 3 1/2 inch model 25.

Yet another guy sent in his early nickel 442. Smith refinished it, all right, but also engraved that ridiculous looking atom on the side.

Still another guy apparantly sent his his pinned and recessed revolver in for work. Only when he got it back, it was no longer recessed. Smith had replaced the recessed cylinder with the non-recessed variety.

That's spooky. I don't think I'll ever send anything to them.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/3861024831

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/6931030831

 

[Old Fuff]

Sometimes the folks at S&W can't win...

I'm not sure the location of the trademark logo is all that important on a refinished gun, and depending on the gun's condition they may have had to polish off the original one.

I agree about the "ridiculous looking atom on the side," but the company thinks it's cool. Obviously the sales department people who think these things up don't understand real gun people.

They may have had to replace the cylinder for some reason on the model 57, and the old recessed cylinders are no longer available. Probably in this case they should have returned the revolver to the owner without doing any work.

I wouldn't hesitate to return an "older gun" to the company for refinishing, but I would be careful to specify exactly what I wanted, and didn't want done.

And I wouldn't be suprised if they returned it with a "no thanks" note.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I wouldn't hesitate to return an "older gun" to the company for refinishing, but I would be careful to specify exactly what I wanted, and didn't want done.

And I wouldn't be suprised if they returned it with a "no thanks" note.

I sure respect your advice, Fuff. (BTW, how "old" are you, anyway?)

One of the guys in the above mentioned threads said to include the requirement that Smith call before any repairs are made.

But I think, if possible, and if I ever need work on an older Smith, I'll shop around for a competent private gunsmith. One who specializes in whatever repair I might need.

For example, there are some that specialize in refinishing. On the Smith forum I heard of Gene Williams and Ford's refinishing. Rumor has it that they send the frame out to someone who recuts the lettering, etc., to duplicate the factory.

Granted, private Smiths aren't always reliable (ask me how I know), but I think if I sent Smith a P&R 27 with 3 1/2 inch barrel, and they sent me back something with a non-recessed cylinder and atom cut into the side, I'd go ballistic.

 

[Old Fuff]

I sure respect your advice, Fuff. (BTW, how "old" are you, anyway?)

The way I feel right now I think I'm too old... But I bought one of the first K-38 Combat Masterpieces when they were intorduced, and that by far wasn't my first handgun...

There is a big difference between "refinishing," and "restoration," which would involve recutting original stamped or rollmark stamped marks and lettering. Smith & Wesson takes on refinishing older guns on a case-by-case basis, and doesn't pretend to be in the restoration business. The advantage of going to the company is that they have many of the contoured buffing wheels that were originally used to polish the various revolvers, and the final finish depends for the most part on the polish job.

Individuals should also understand that for liability reasons S&W will replace any parts that they find are defective with whatever they have - which may not be identical to the original. You can instruct them not to do this, but then they may reject the job. Private refinisher will usually refinish and return the parts they received.

I personally believe in stripping all of the old blue using a chemical dip, and then hand-working out any deep pits of dings before sending a gun out to anyone for refinishing. In addition if the stocks are not the ones that originally came on the gun I hand polish the metal to match the wood. I wouldn't expect a refinisher to go to this trouble, where a restorer should.

Understand that the Old Fuff is a nit-picker of the highest order...

I understand why folks are very picky about a favorite gun, but sometimes if the work was done the way they expected the cost might well be prohibative in these days of high labor costs. Somewhere there needs to be a middle gound. Unless of course cost is no object.

 

[SaxonPig]

I have seen a couple of recent S&W refinishes that were absolutely fantastic looking. But I have heard of them replacing parts when not asked to do it. So make sure they know exactly what you do and do not want.

 

[LAH]

So make sure they know exactly what you do and do not want.

Yes make real sure...........Creeker

 

[Majic]

There is one thread over there where someone sent in a revolver to be renickeled and they all but destroyed it.

 

[Steve C]

If you want to retain any collectability in an older gun then don't touch it. A collectable will loose more value by refinish and repair than you will gain by improved condition.

If you want a shooting pistol repaired or refinished the factory will return a gun to your for shooting. Markings and recessed cylinders and other things that have value to collectors of original handguns often has no added value to the guns shootability or functionality.

 

[Onmilo]

I am a little lost here.
You mention work but go on to describe horror stories of refinishing.
S&W does excellent gunsmithing work.
As for refinishing, I am getting away from the practice myself.
No matter how good a job you do on the weapon the customer always seems a little disappointed in the result.
Refinish will never equal the appearance of a brand new firearm, all manufacturers use proprietary, guarded, finishes and a refinish just never looks the same as the original.

You want a refinish that looks as good or better than the original then spend $500.00 to $2000.00 and have Doug Turnbull do the work.
Plan to wait about two years to get your firearm back, he is that good and that backed up at times.
If you are disappointed with his work then nothing will please you.

 

[Hoploholic]

Anytime you send any firearm to the factory for repair or service you must be mindful that they have one thing in mine...LIABILITY. If the firearm you send them has any excessively worn OEM parts, parts that have proven a liability in the past, or aftermarket parts they will replace those parts and destroy them. They dont care what you ask them to do...once they have it they will return it to you in a condition that they deem exonerates them from any liability.

 

[surfinUSA]

I bought a 27-2, 3.5 inch from a pawn shop at a great price ($250). A previous owner had left it in a leather holster for too long and there was no blueing on either side of the cylinder but there was no pitting in the metal.

I sent the gun the S&W and asked them to go over it, tune it up and refinish it in nickel (which will hold up a lot better than blue in S. Florida).

I don't know if S&W did the refinish or if they send it out. But this gun came back perfect. I doubt this gun looked this good the day it came from the factory. Smith & wesson did an outstanding job and they also done very well with any mechanical work I've asked them to do.

 

[dogngun]

Ruger will do the same-will replace ANY PARTS that are non-factory spec with similar, factory spec parts that are available now. There are no more old Smith parts left, you will get what there is.
If your gun is a collectable, don't have it rebuilt. If it's a shooter,carry gun, Smith & Wesson will do an excellent job. I have never had any trouble with
S & W in any dealings with them in over 30 years of using their guns, and have never had any problems with any parts I have bought from them.

Mark

 

[JERRY]

if its not warranty work, i will find some place other to do refinishing..

 

[Jim K]

S&W ground off the trademark on one side and put it on the other??? I don't think so. I think they found the frame not restorable for one reason or another and put on a brand new frame, numbering it to match the old one.

My experience (limited) has been that when you send a gun to S&W for repair they will completely rebuild it and bring it up to their current factory standard to the maximum extent possible. That may mean replacement of old parts with new ones, etc. I once sent them a well worn K-22; they replaced everything except the frame and grips and charged me only $17 for rebluing. (That was a while back, but was a bargain even then.)

If you have an S&W that you consider a collectors item, and want to send it to the factory for whatever reason, make absolutely sure they understand what to do and what NOT to do to it. But remember that ANY refinishing or restoral can reduce or eliminate collector value. That is why restoration should be limited to guns whose value can only be improved, not to ones that have, say, minor finish problems.

Jim

 

[JERRY]

lets hope they dont start "improving" non locked guns with locked ones....