I inherited a old school S&W model 36 snubbie w/ flat latch. It is a little beat up and I want to get it reblued. Does anyone have any suggestions?? Will S&W re-blue it and how much do they charge?? I heard S&W does not do bluing anymore and they just spray paint the new models w/ black paint. Any good smiths out there who still reblue the old fashion way??
Rebluing a S&W 36
- Thread starter buddah
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Richard Simmons
Member
Send it to S&W. Who ever told you they paint them is FOS
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=18302§ionId=11522
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=10001&content=18302§ionId=11522
dfariswheel
Member
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Plus One on the FOS.
The screaming you hear in the background is S&W demanding to know what boob is defaming them.
S&W very much still does the old style bluing, and will re-blue your gun for a reasonable price.
This is from their web site under the FAQ's:
High Bright Polish (blue, stainless steel or nickel) $200
Glass Bead Nickel (except Stainless) $166
Standard Polish & Blue $166
Glass Bead Blue & Stainless Steel $123
So, you have a choice between a flat black blue for $123, a standard factory blue for $166, or a mirror bright polished blue for $200.
The screaming you hear in the background is S&W demanding to know what boob is defaming them.
S&W very much still does the old style bluing, and will re-blue your gun for a reasonable price.
This is from their web site under the FAQ's:
High Bright Polish (blue, stainless steel or nickel) $200
Glass Bead Nickel (except Stainless) $166
Standard Polish & Blue $166
Glass Bead Blue & Stainless Steel $123
So, you have a choice between a flat black blue for $123, a standard factory blue for $166, or a mirror bright polished blue for $200.
Richard Simmons
Member
I'd check this and other gun site For Sale boards. Maybe even post a Want To Buy on them. Gunshows, gunstores and ebay are the only other options. One thing to do that can help is to take the grips off the gun and trace around the outside and maybe even inside of the grip frame. If you find a set of grips at a gunshow or store you can kind of place them on the paper and see if they will fit. As far as ebay you just have to ask the seller to measure or trust that they are correct when they say the grips are for a J frame round butt, square butt, etc.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Check out Ford's
ArchAngelCD
Member.
buddah,
S&W still sells the old grips you are looking for.
Here is a link for their J Square Dymondwood Checkered Service Grips for $30.05:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=16208&training=
Here is a link for their J Square Smooth Target Grips for $52.92:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=16267&training=
Here is a link for their J Square Staglite Grip With S&W Medallions for $69.95: (really nice!)
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=16208&training=
And here are their J Square Black Pearlite Grip With S&W Medallions for $59.95:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=16208&training=
All are very nice, all have the S&W Medallion and all are totally authentic. The price is right too IMO!
Gator
Member
Sniper X
Member
Fords is awesome. I am torn between them and sending my Python back to Colt for a re-blue. What do you guys think?
gunzrfunz
member
Blue is dandy, but CHROME is eye candy!
My model 36 no dash flat-latch didn't come chrome from S&W, but previous owner thought it would be cool and I agree.
My model 36 no dash flat-latch didn't come chrome from S&W, but previous owner thought it would be cool and I agree.
Richard Simmons
Member
Here is a link that shows a S&W revolver just back from a factory refinish.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/8451098402
Looks pretty good to me.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/8451098402
Looks pretty good to me.
XavierBreath
Member
Looks like I'm gonna be the lone pissant and state a dissenting opinion.
This is a flat latch Chief's Special. It's an old gun, and a collectible one. Refinishing it makes it into a pariah among collectors. It was someone's carry gun. The marks on it are it's history. If you refinish it, you just removed that history. You cannot put that history back. It's gone. Don't refinish it.
If you want a pretty new gun, go buy one from S&W. If you want a pretty new blue gun, buy a Taurus. Heck, I'll straight up trade you a shiny blue Chief's Special for your old flat latch beater, even Steven, if you want a old Model 36. Don't destroy history.
The grips offered on S&W's webpage are not appropriate for this revolver. They will fit, but they are not appropriate. It should be wearing diamond walnut grips. You can find them on ebay and occasionally at gunshows.
Finally, if possible, post a good photo of this gun. Both sides. The so called flat latch actually came in three variations. Give us the serial with the last two digits Xed out. It's on the butt. Find out what you have before you reblue it. Then decide whether you want to add to it's history or erase it forever. You have all the time in the world to reblue it, but once it's reblued, you can never restore the original finish.
In the end though, it's your gun. Do with it what you will. Just make an informed decision.
This is a flat latch Chief's Special. It's an old gun, and a collectible one. Refinishing it makes it into a pariah among collectors. It was someone's carry gun. The marks on it are it's history. If you refinish it, you just removed that history. You cannot put that history back. It's gone. Don't refinish it.
If you want a pretty new gun, go buy one from S&W. If you want a pretty new blue gun, buy a Taurus. Heck, I'll straight up trade you a shiny blue Chief's Special for your old flat latch beater, even Steven, if you want a old Model 36. Don't destroy history.
The grips offered on S&W's webpage are not appropriate for this revolver. They will fit, but they are not appropriate. It should be wearing diamond walnut grips. You can find them on ebay and occasionally at gunshows.
Finally, if possible, post a good photo of this gun. Both sides. The so called flat latch actually came in three variations. Give us the serial with the last two digits Xed out. It's on the butt. Find out what you have before you reblue it. Then decide whether you want to add to it's history or erase it forever. You have all the time in the world to reblue it, but once it's reblued, you can never restore the original finish.
In the end though, it's your gun. Do with it what you will. Just make an informed decision.
gunzrfunz-that is a really sharp chiefs special. Gotta love the class an old model S&W has that the new ones don't. Dare I say the old S&W Revo's are kinda sexy. I changed my mind for now on the re-blue I will just put some nice grips on her and fondle it every now and again. Xavierbreath is right, the wear on my S&W is part of it's history and re-bluing would diminish the historical value. Every time I touch her I feel dirty, very dirty!!
10-Ring
Member
Very very nice! I like the 36 
I don't believe in historical value. A gun is a tool, and nothing more. You use it, you put wear and tear on it, you clean it up nice and shiney again. If the markings made by someone else are that important, put the gun in a glass case and don't touch it. That gun should be restored and used, and any unique touches you want should be added when its worked on. Carry it, shoot it, make it an extension of your hand. Make it useful as its makers intended. Be proud to own it because it's yours, and you're good with it. When you're gone, God only knows what some bonehead will do to it.
It's only a tool .
It's only a tool
.
Deanimator
Member
WHERE did you hear that?
I'm not saying it isn't true. I'd just like some more information, since there has been a lot of contradictory information regarding S&W's ability to re-blue guns these days.
I sent a 29-2 to S&W for refinishing yesterday, so I have a personal interest in what's REALLY going on. Believe me, I've got NO problem with the gun going to Ford's.
Majic,
Who knows what that gun was used for? What's being honored? I won't attach sentamentality to an object except under very specific circumstances. Buddah did not say the gun had special meaning, or was inherited from someone for whom the gun should be enshrined. He didn't say it was used in any historic event (a war, to save a life, etc.,), or had some special identifying markings, or was extremely rare. He said he wants to blue it and everybody's telling him not to just because it's old.
I have some old tools from my father and grandfather. I honor their origins and history by maintaining and using them, as Dad and Grandpa did. That means cleaning, sharpening, oiling...and using; and teaching my son to use them in turn. That way, one more person gains an appreciation of what a tool's true value is and why older things can be good (if not great) things. Dad and Grandpa would consider tools hanging on the wall a waste.
Who knows what that gun was used for? What's being honored? I won't attach sentamentality to an object except under very specific circumstances. Buddah did not say the gun had special meaning, or was inherited from someone for whom the gun should be enshrined. He didn't say it was used in any historic event (a war, to save a life, etc.,), or had some special identifying markings, or was extremely rare. He said he wants to blue it and everybody's telling him not to just because it's old.
I have some old tools from my father and grandfather. I honor their origins and history by maintaining and using them, as Dad and Grandpa did. That means cleaning, sharpening, oiling...and using; and teaching my son to use them in turn. That way, one more person gains an appreciation of what a tool's true value is and why older things can be good (if not great) things. Dad and Grandpa would consider tools hanging on the wall a waste.
Update guys. I just inherited another old beat up S&W model 36. This one has the newer raised latch and a pinned barrel. It is a good shooter but the finish is bad. It has some rust on it but I took it to the range and the trigger is very sweet. I got this gun from a LEO in my office who is retiring. I plan on using this as a BUG on-duty. This one will get sent in for a re-blue job.Trying to decide who to send it to, S&W or Fords.
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