Has anyone used S&W Performance Center refinishing?

[v8stang289]

Has anyone used S&W Performance Center refinishing?

https://www.smith-wesson.com/customer-service/performance-center-precision-gunsmithing

I have a 29-3 that was one of my first Smiths, but the bluing was well worn when I got it.
After deer season I was thinking of sending it out to be re-blued.
Smith shows $220 for standard blue and $275 for high polish

Has anyone here used them to refinish an old Smith?
Curious to hear about experiences and results.

The old girl works fine, but I'd love to have a nice bright blue on her.
Not worried about any reduction in value given the current finish and the fact that I drilled the top strap for an optic mount.

 

[Anchorite]

I sent in my 340PD for a check-up back before the Covid mess and it came back refinished. I didn’t even request that, but it looks brand new now.

Point being, the Mothership took very good care of me.
I can’t see a downside to letting them take care of your M29.

 

[vanfunk]

I see nothing wrong with your plan to send your 29-3 back to the mothership for refinishing, but there is a consideration to note. The “blue” that S&W is able to achieve these days is not the same chemical forlulation as it was in the old days. It’s more of a “black” honestly. I had a model 17 refinished by them maybe 10 years ago and while the execution was good - no smeared rollmarks or dished screw holes, etc. - it was a very different finish than the original. Personally I would look at other options if the goal is to “restore” the look of your .44. Ford’s Custom Gun Refinishing in FL can make a careworn S&W look absolutely brilliant. Also years ago I picked up a beater Python and sent it to Ford’s. It took a while, maybe 3 months, but the revolver I got back was practically a museum piece. So, I’d say send it to S&W if you want a good, durable “blue” for a very reasonable price, or send it to Ford’s to make it beautiful. Hope this helps!

 

[Jonesy814]

I saw pictures on a forum of 2 revolvers the person had sent in for a refinish. They were done in the high polish blued finish. They looked fantastic and the owner was very pleased

 

[Riomouse911]

I need to think about sending a couple in to be re blued. My 2.5” Model 19 had some bluing worn off the muzzle from being too long in a leather holster and my Model 17-3 and 3” Model 13-3 were pretty used when I got them.

Stay safe.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Just to "second" much of the above, I sent a beater model 58 to S&W ohmaybe 15 years ago for a refinish, and the blue job was excellent... but the tyro who polished the original finish back to the white half-obliterated the Marcas Registradas stamping. OTOH an 1896 Hand Ejector I sent to Ford's for a re-nickel came back ready to donate to a museum (but be patient... they kept it nearly a year).

 

[Jonesy814]

The pictures I saw were just a couple years ago. Pretty sure one of the ones he had refinished was a model 19, can’t recall the other