Shear_stress
Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,728
Ordinarilly, I'm predisposed to complaining about things. Just my nature. However, this time I must give credit where credit is due.
I had a Smith and Wesson pre-model 18 Combat Masterpiece that I picked up a few years back. Though I doubt much actual "combat" was ever carried out with a 22LR revolver, this is one of the most accurate, best-balanced wheelguns I have ever shot. I don't plan to ever part with it, at least while I'm still breathing air.
Given the age of my example, it must have been well loved by several generations of owners. A great deal of the finish was worn away and all the color-case hardened bits showed pitting. This lent the gun character, yes, but was of a degree that I began to question whether it would give another fifty years of service. The time was right for a restoration. Back to the factory it went, with me not entirely sure of what to expect.
The process took a while--two months, actually--before I got it back yesterday. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! The quality of the work was, in a word, fantastic. Gene, the gunsmith who operated on my gun, returned it to "as new in box condition." The blueing is of a depth and luster that I can hardly believe--I could use the sideplate as a shaving mirror. So that's what new Smiths used to look like. The finish alone is enough to make me wish I had a digital camera.
The target hammer and trigger I had installed were of the period-correct, forged and color-case hardened construction. The lockwork is now as a tight as new--so much so that I now need to "break in" a gun that is a half century old! It looks so good that I am reluctant to shoot it, but I will humbly accept this task.
While not entirely thrilled with S&Ws current model line, I can wholeheartedly vouch for their smithing service. Not only was the workmanship first rate, but I was actually able to reach Gene directly by phone and compliment him on a job well done. Afterwords, Smith and Wesson sent me a T-shirt!
I had a Smith and Wesson pre-model 18 Combat Masterpiece that I picked up a few years back. Though I doubt much actual "combat" was ever carried out with a 22LR revolver, this is one of the most accurate, best-balanced wheelguns I have ever shot. I don't plan to ever part with it, at least while I'm still breathing air.
Given the age of my example, it must have been well loved by several generations of owners. A great deal of the finish was worn away and all the color-case hardened bits showed pitting. This lent the gun character, yes, but was of a degree that I began to question whether it would give another fifty years of service. The time was right for a restoration. Back to the factory it went, with me not entirely sure of what to expect.
The process took a while--two months, actually--before I got it back yesterday. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! The quality of the work was, in a word, fantastic. Gene, the gunsmith who operated on my gun, returned it to "as new in box condition." The blueing is of a depth and luster that I can hardly believe--I could use the sideplate as a shaving mirror. So that's what new Smiths used to look like. The finish alone is enough to make me wish I had a digital camera.
The target hammer and trigger I had installed were of the period-correct, forged and color-case hardened construction. The lockwork is now as a tight as new--so much so that I now need to "break in" a gun that is a half century old! It looks so good that I am reluctant to shoot it, but I will humbly accept this task.
While not entirely thrilled with S&Ws current model line, I can wholeheartedly vouch for their smithing service. Not only was the workmanship first rate, but I was actually able to reach Gene directly by phone and compliment him on a job well done. Afterwords, Smith and Wesson sent me a T-shirt!