Seeking advice on S&W 15-3
- Thread starter tranders
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UncleEd
Member
I see it's getting "cloudy," a common condition.
As long as it's not flaking or otherwise showing some sort of pitting,
I'd leave it alone.
But it all depends what you have financially in it and do you want
a refinished gun that probably will stay the same value.
As long as it's not flaking or otherwise showing some sort of pitting,
I'd leave it alone.
But it all depends what you have financially in it and do you want
a refinished gun that probably will stay the same value.
Jimfern
Member
I'd hand polish it with some Flitz or car mag wheel polish and enjoy it.
Coyote3855
Member
Hard to tell condition from pictures. As Jimfern suggests, I'd start by polishing it with Flitz. Flitz is not abrasive. Mother's Mag Polish is slightly abrasive. I've used Mother's to lightly polish blued and stainless firearms. I used Flitz for the first time on my nickel S&W Model 38, and have since been using it on blued guns as well. Polish first, then a light coat of good quality wax. I prefer Renaissance brand (Ren Wax) but I have also used paste automobile wax with good results. You may be happy with how this turns out. Won't deal with the clouding or the loss of finish on the ejector rod, but I bet it will look a lot better.
Refinish is always a tough call. Your gun, your decision. I have a blued Model 15-6 out for a reblue. It had lots of holster wear and an electro penciled number on the bottom of the trigger guard plus some other issues that will be resolved by Glenrock Blue.
If you decide on a renickel, check with S&W first. Their prices are very good, but I didn't want to deal with shipping since Glenrock is just down the road from me.
Refinish is always a tough call. Your gun, your decision. I have a blued Model 15-6 out for a reblue. It had lots of holster wear and an electro penciled number on the bottom of the trigger guard plus some other issues that will be resolved by Glenrock Blue.
If you decide on a renickel, check with S&W first. Their prices are very good, but I didn't want to deal with shipping since Glenrock is just down the road from me.
MIL-DOT
member
I'm gonna say "no", don't do it. I love the M15's, my nearly pristine dash-4 was made in 1980 and it's as sweet as they come. But, they ain't worth a whole lot of money, nor are they difficult to replace.
Looks to me like you have a nice beater gun, I'd love it for what it (currently) is, and be on the lookout for a nicer one, if that's what you want.
But, a new finish will diminish any future value and collectibility, and is going to cost around half of what another M15 would cost you. If money is tight, then it ain't a good idea, as it's a frivolous waste of good money. And if the money is not an issue, then just hunt down a nicer looking pistol. There's no real upside here to refinshing it, IMO.
edit: I also concur with the above advice to run some Flitz over it, it doesn't look real thrashed, to me.
Looks to me like you have a nice beater gun, I'd love it for what it (currently) is, and be on the lookout for a nicer one, if that's what you want.
But, a new finish will diminish any future value and collectibility, and is going to cost around half of what another M15 would cost you. If money is tight, then it ain't a good idea, as it's a frivolous waste of good money. And if the money is not an issue, then just hunt down a nicer looking pistol. There's no real upside here to refinshing it, IMO.
edit: I also concur with the above advice to run some Flitz over it, it doesn't look real thrashed, to me.
bannockburn
Member
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tranders
I have been using Flitz for years on my nickel plated guns and it works wonders at removing dirt, oil, powder residue, and tarnish from the surface of the gun. It's also does a decent job of putting a bit of a shine to stainless steel though Mother's Mag Polish is still the best for a really bright shiny look.
I have been using Flitz for years on my nickel plated guns and it works wonders at removing dirt, oil, powder residue, and tarnish from the surface of the gun. It's also does a decent job of putting a bit of a shine to stainless steel though Mother's Mag Polish is still the best for a really bright shiny look.
If you do the re-nickel your revolver will be less fun at the range because you will baby the new finish.
Flitz / Mothers are both good calls. I would polish it a bit and shoot the bejeebers out of the 15 , safe in the knowledge that a little scratch or ding would not ruin my day.
Flitz / Mothers are both good calls. I would polish it a bit and shoot the bejeebers out of the 15 , safe in the knowledge that a little scratch or ding would not ruin my day.
Confederate
Member
Although I love a good nickel finish, many cleaning solutions (like Hoppes 9) actually damage them. I also love hard chrome because its durability and protection against water and humidity is superb (not to mention being impervious to bolster wear). But if the nickel finish is still kicking, I'd stay with it. Check out Mahovsky's if you're considering a new finish.
http://mahovskysmetalife.com
http://mahovskysmetalife.com
gbran
Member
It would bug me until I got it refinished.
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