Should I cut down my S&W M&P

[ArchAngelCD]

A few months back I bought this S&W M&P revolver from a retired sheriff.



You can't see it in the picture but the finish is worn. It has a ton of holster rash which is to be expected. I'm only saying this because I want you to know it's not in collector condition. The grips are original to the revolver which dates to either 1948 or 1949. The grips are well worn too. I got this M&P at a very good price so putting work into it won't be overly expensive in the end.

I want to do something with this revolver but I'm not sure what. Should I leave it as is, send it to S&W to be refinished or have the barrel cut down to make it a snub nose M&P to go with me 1975 M36?

 

[oasis618]

Leave it exactly as it is. It's a classic.

 

[Leafy Cronmer]

If it was my gun I would decide between option 1 or 2, I would not cut it down personally.

 

[aHFo3]

Cut it up and make it awesome! Sure it's a classic, but just imagine someone customized it in 1950.

 

[Brass Rain]

Personally, I would never even THINK of cutting down that classic revolver. But it's your gun. People do all sorts of crazy things to guns these days.

 

[Brian Williams]

Nope, just take that thing and shoot the stuffing out of it and maybe send it to Fords to get it refinished. Cutting a 4 screw transitional would be sacrilege.
S&W will not work on it, it is too old.

 

[madcratebuilder]

If it was pre-war I would not touch it, but it's a very common post war revolver and far from collector condition. I would have my way with it. Up until a few years ago those were $100 guns.

 

[jad0110]

If it was pre-war I would not touch it, but it's a very common post war revolver and far from collector condition. I would have my way with it. Up until a few years ago those were $100 guns.

True, but then again if the current price escalation continues, this gun may be worth $500 in a few more years in its current, original condition. Particularly because it is a 4 screw and has the original diamond magnas.

Personally, I think this is a great excuse to buy another gun, specifically a 2" blued K Frame like a Model 10 or 15 .

You can't see it in the picture but the finish is worn. It has a ton of holster rash which is to be expected. I'm only saying this because I want you to know it's not in collector condition.

Actually, it kinda is in collector condition as-is. It is original! Personally, I like worn guns, but YMMV. The wear tells a story, makes the gun more interesting. But if you insist on refinishing it, I'd either have S&W do it (S&W refnishes usually don't loose as much value as others to collectors) or have Fords do it, as I hear they are about the best in the business.

But again, I'd leave that fine bit of history alone. I would never in a million years consider doing anything (including a refinish) to this S&W M&P (pre-10) 5 screw Transitional (DOB around 1947). The finish is around 70-75%, but it just adds character.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Cutting down that M&P would constitute criminal damage.

 

[Trebor]

Don't mess with it.

It should be a good shooter as-is. Let is keep it's character. It's a range gun now, most likely, so it's not like you have to give it the latest high-tech finish to keep it nice.

I bet the value on guns in this condition will go up more as the higher end guns get priced out of reach of newer collectors. I very strongly suspect you'd regret messing with it at all in a couple years.

 

[Monster Zero]

Do what to it?

If you want a snub-nose just run out and buy one. There are plenty of them out there.

I'd clean it up and shoot it some just to get familiar with it, then clean it again and stash it in a dry, safe place, preferably a safe. Then I'd shoot it some more just whenever I feel like it.

If I had a grandson I'd someday pass it on to him "as is".

 

[savit260]

If it were me, I'd leave that one alone. If you want to cut down a "vintage" S&W , I'd be lookng for one that someone had already reblued/refinished, or altered in some other way.
That gun just has some honest wear on it.

I don't think that one is a good candidate to take a saw to (required IMO)

 

[18DAI]

IMO leave it as is. It is beautiful, and has character.

I would not send it to S&W. If they damaged it they would replace it with one of the substandard current production revolvers. For refinishing I would send it to Fords in FL.

I would look for a snubby or 3" model 10 if your wanting a smaller barrel. Good luck! TJ

 

[bikerdoc]

ArchangelCD,

Your gun, your decision. Since you asked I have to say no, dont touch it. It is a shooter, and a classic

 

[Stophel]

Dear heavens, PLEASE leave it alone! Sell it or trade it off for a short barreled gun!

 

[David E]

Leave it as is. In its current condition, it has a storied history. Butchered, that history is lost.

Personally, I'd add a Tyler T-Grip and shoot the snot out of it.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

Leave as is or refinish.

If you're gonna cut anything down, make it a Taurus.

 

[WVMountainBoy]

I voted refinish, but ultimately its your gun, do what makes it the most useful to you! I have several of these old timers that need a trip to the gunsmith for some new finish and possibly some repairs...several of my friends go on about values and blah blah blah but to me, I bought the guns to be shot, to be useful weapons. While an old car rusting in your field may be a 57 chevy...the same car would be better off a hot rod in the garage

 

[savit260]

But a real nice "surviver" 57 Chevy, in original , and unrestored/unmolested condition, is A LOT better off as is than being cut up and made into a hot rod in my opinon. They're only orginal once. Original, rusty pitted and rotted is a totaly different ballgame IMO

This M&P isn't exactly rotting away in a field.

 

[Oyeboten]

Yahhhhhh...if it was me, I'd leave it be....clean, oil and shoot it, enjoying it for what-it-is, as it is.


I'd say, if you want to make a 'Snubby' out of an erstwhile longer Barrel Model, consider an older used S&W Model 10 for a Candidate, rather than an 'M&P' proper which is an intact good-condition 'survivor' of times so long passed.


Or, Unless you are really wanting a 'Project'...seek out an older Model 10 'Snubby' and you are good-to-go without any elbow grease..!

 

[Iggy]

Imagine a grizzled old WWII veteran with a batch of medals on his old uniform. Would you strip him out of that old uniform, take him to the beauty shop, get his hair dyed, put him in today's dress uniform and a beret, and ask him to march in a parade with a M-4 over his shoulder and an American copy of an Italian pistol on his hip, or would you let him wear his old GI's and medals, give him an M-1 and a Colt's .45, and let him show the world what that rapidly passing generation was made of?
He earned the right to be who he is, just as that old lawman's revolver deserves to remain a honest and honorably scarred veteran with an unsung but maybe distinguished career.

That's the long way of saying, respect that old veteran for what it is. Take it out to the range from time to time, and let it show you and everyone else what an old timer can do.

 

[Oro]

Cutting a 4 screw transitional would be sacrilege.

Actually it's a 5-screw post-transition gun. It does have three unique features about it:

1) Transitional post-war Magna grips, used 1946 to 1951/2
2) 1/2 moon front sight, discontinued about 1952.
3) Early-style short-action hammer, which was changed in the late '50s (I think).

I think the only sensitive things to do with it are either enjoy and shoot it as is, or have S&W refinish it and a stock specialist restore the grips.

There are plenty of butchered and broken M&P's out there. No need to cripple another one!

 

[Guillermo]

I am on my knees as I type this

"Dear Lord, please give Archangel the wisdom not to mutilate that lovely revolver. There are far too few beautiful classics and it would be a sin to destroy such fine workmanship.

In your name I pray

amen"

 

[rdrancher]

If you've always wanted a cut-down M&P, I say go for it...OR....leave it as-is, and shoot it while you look for one already cut.

But...I've had a couple shots of JW Dant...so maybe don't listen to me.

rd

 

[bflobill_69]

NO!!!

Personally I feel that would be a SIN... That is a beautiful old M&P most people would give a nut to own...

But it IS your gun =/

Bflobill69