Should I reblue this 1952 Smith & Wesson K-22?

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Folks will tell you that it will diminish its value if you do and they are probably correct in saying that. The fact remains that it is your gun and if you would be happier with it reblued then I would do that. You already said that you would never sell it, so, the value of it to you is having it the way you like it. I'm thinking about having a Colt DS reblued myself.
 
There was a fellow over at the firing line who had his K-22 reblued because he didn't like the dull finish applied in the 40s. It turned out beautifully.

That anyone would sell a K-22 boggles my mind. I mean, if it is your only one, it is a magnificent pistol. It is too common and too great a shooter to be collectible.

I say go for it. Pretty and fun? Sounds like a dating service ad to me :D
 
Call Smith & Wesson and see if they'll handle it. Their rebluing is very affordable and is quality work. I think Ford's is probably your next best bet.

In my opinion, your gun will certainly not lose any value if you reblue it - and it's a moot point anyway, as you'd be doing it to give the ol' girl a facelift, not to try to increase her value.
 
If for display and will never shoot it again, go ahead and reblue. But send it to someone who you know does it well. Some re-bluers overpolish and you lose sharp edges and in some cases the roll marks.

But I'll shoot it the way it is. That way I don't have to worry about the new blue finish being scratched and worn again. Besides, I can see from the picture, there's nothing wrong with it having a little character.

Had a shooting buddy who had only one Colt Gold Cup Mark IV that he bought new, practiced and shot competitions with it. It was the sorriest looking 1911 on the range, with 90% blueing....gone. But he won practically every shoot he joined with it.
 
i think you should reblue it. if it were my gun i would. just like you said you have no intentions on selling it. so re blue it so you will have a nice old gun
 
Having it reblued will reduce it's value. If you have it done by S&W it won't reduce it as much since it will be a documented factory job.

I have a 1948 K22 that is similar to yours. It won't get reblued. I like that it has the character that can only be gotten by honest use. I treated it with Militech, 3 heat to 275 in toaster over and cool cycles. You can also put a coat of carnuba car wax on it to protect it.
 
Part of me likes a perfectly fresh gun and I tend to work hard to keep my guns very clean, very well cared for.

That being said there is another part of me that as I have gotten older really appreciates the natural wear and patina on older firearms. Personally I like your K22 just the way it is. Honest use with honest care it just has a certain personality all its own.

I have a SIG P225 that I bought years ago, well before this P6 craze that has a decent amount of honest wear and I keep pondering getting it reverse two toned and making into a sweet looking nill grip having beauty queen.....then I look at that wear and see the history and honest use and personality and I just cannot bring myself to do it.

Chris
 
Don't make it so pretty you are afraid to use it anymore!

There are plenty of S&W Safe Queens already!

rcmodel
 
The cost of refinishing added to the decreased value when it is done (yes, it reduces the monetary value) makes it a losing proposition from an economic standpoint. If you really want a nicer looking gun it would be cheaper to find a similar gun in better condition.

A good reblue will make the gun look nice but it will never again be "original."

Your decision but 99% of the time I think refinishing is a bad idea.
 
What you're seeing in the finish isn't wear, its character. If you don't care for its current character, go ahead and refinish it. Otherwise, I'd leave it. But then I've always been a sucker for a gun with honest wear *ahem* I mean character.
 
What you're seeing in the finish isn't wear, its character. If you don't care for its current character, go ahead and refinish it. Otherwise, I'd leave it. But then I've always been a sucker for a gun with honest wear *ahem* I mean character.
Click to expand...

Well said! My K-22 happens to be about 98%, but if it wasn't, I'd be just as happy with it.

In fact, I hope my next revolver (probably a blued snubby) has some "character" to it.

If I was going to refinish, I would have Ford's do it. After they are finished with it, it will have a deep, lusterous finish that today's environmentally friendly S&W process can't hope to match. Then again, Ford's will cost so much that you might as well save up and buy another K-22, perhaps one that has recently been reblued for a relative "bargain".
 
Since you do not plan to sell it, the value question is off the table. It is purely a matter of taste.

Looks like a lovely revolver with some honest wear. I wouldn't mess with it myself. Looks like an old friend to me.
 
I had an old Mdl 29 that was worn more than your K-22, and like you I knew I would never sell it but pass it along to my kids. I sent it to S&W for a re-blue and it came back looking like it had never been fired. They did an outstanding job and it was reasonable even with the shipping.
 
Will It Shoot Better? I Would Leave As Is , Its Your Gun Do As You Like But I Would Find Some Better Grips , Let Us Know What You Do! Csa
 
Well if it were mine I wold have S&W reblue it and then I would continue to shoot her and keep her as clean as possible. I might even consider sanding those grips down and going with a bit darker finish, but it's your gun and all of this is up to you :)

Noidster
 
I saw your similar post on the Smith-Wesson Forum ---- here's the same answer I gave there. Leave the gun alone. As is, it shows good honest use and lots of character ---- get rid of the smooth stocks and find some good used diamond magnas and a T-Grip.

Also, as is, you don't have to worry about marring the finish --- unless you intend to put it in the safe and not use it, you will find you are more likely to take it shooting and to carry it in a holster than one with a new-reblue.

Don
 
That revolver doesn't look bad. I'd leave her alone. I'd buy it as it is but reblued would have me wondering how bad it might have been so purchasing would be out of the question.
 
Personally I like the wear, it gives it nice character. I'd leave it as is.
 
Waste of money. That revolver looks exactly the way a well kept55/56 year old is supposed to look.
No dents, rust spots or deep scratches.
 
I personally like the look of "character" in old revolvers. And, any gun I own is for shooting, not hanging on the wall. So, clean and well-maintained is my approach...
 
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