[Total Noob] Can you restore something like this?

[Wiebelhaus]

I'm looking to buy my first gun, I fancy revolvers, they call to me. I'm going to make my first purchase then go to the shooting range with a buddy and learn how to shoot and I may or may not pick it up as a hobby. I'm real close to just going to a place like an outdoors chain and buying a cheap Rossi revolver for my experimentation but I'd like to ask savvy folks about restoring an old S&W pistol like this one at buds or from a pawn shop, is this something that a novice could do, is it worth it? or would this be a project for an expert hobbyist? Or would the money put into it be too much for novice experimentation?

Thanks for any opinion you offer, cheers.

 

[Lonerider357]

Why the Hell isn't a S&W revolver Not Legal in California???

 

[Telekinesis]

I don't see what is wrong with the S&W linked in your post. I'll be honest though, I just gave it a quick look. What do you expect to have to do as far as restoring it?

Generally I would go with a S&W over something like a Rossi any day, assuming they are both in good condition. Also, if you don't know if you'll even like shooting as a hobby, I would recommend that you go shooting with your friend first, and then decide if you like it enough to put $300 into a gun (once you put in shipping and transfer fees).

 

[rcmodel]

restoring an old S&W pistol like this one at buds or from a pawn shop

Whats to restore??
That gun isn't old in gun years, and it looks to be in fine shape except for minor holster wear on the muzzle & cylinder.

My working guns look much worse then the one you linked too and they are 100% reliable & accurate.

There is nothing you could do to that gun, other then cleaning & oiling it, that wouldn't decrease it's value.

rc

 

[Wiebelhaus]

@Telekinesis I need one for home defense for sure, I need to acclimate myself with operation with the possibility of taking it on as a hobby and as far as restoring, repairing and/or replacing anything that's needed for safe operation, I suppose I'd take it to a local smith and have them look it over.

@Lonerider357 I suppose because it doesn't have a hammer lock/safety? Maybe that key lock safety mechanism is a requirement in CA? I don't know.

 

[Wiebelhaus]

So the firing pin, triggers don't wear in the fashion a guitar tuner knob or something would?

 

[rcmodel]

No.

I am shooting a S&W Victory model made in 1942, A S&W 1950 Target made in 1955, and a Colt SAA made in 1900? something.
They all have the orginial parts in them and work perfectly

Not to mention several old Winchester rifles made before or right after the turn of the century.
The 19th. century, like 1890 - 1910.

Properly cleaned & oiled, they can potentially last for several generations, or longer.

rc

 

[Wiebelhaus]

Awesome info RC, thanks.

 

[Jim K]

Just FYI, restoration usually applies to the exterior and finish of a gun. Ideally, a good restoration can make the gun appear to be new, though it is a rare restoration that can fool an expert and ethical restorers either leave a trace or keep records so that if necessary the gun can be shown to be a restoral, not a like-new original, which would be far more valuable.

The more common term for replacing operating parts that may be worn or damaged would be "rebuilding", but that revolver is unlikely to need that kind of treatment now or for a long time, unless it has been abused.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

Keep in mind that revolvers, except for the grips, are made from case hardened or heat treated high grade steel.

Guitars are not.

rc

 

[Jim K]

I dunno. Some have sounded like something much softer when played, but maybe that was the "artiste".

Jim

 

[Telekinesis]

SD/HD is definitely a reasonable use for something like this. I misread your post as if you were just trying to get into shooting as only a hobby/sport, not as something you'd be using for defense regardless of your decision on shooting as a hobby. As mentioned earlier, the S&W should be ready to go right out of the box. In the future, you may want to reblue it, but that's merely cosmetic.

 

[wkumatt]

I have a S&W M10 3" from the store you referenced. I have also been in the retail store lately and seen others of the lot in the case. Expect a bit more holster and grip wear than you see in the sample photo, but in my amateur opinion they are a good buy. Mine functions flawlessly and passes the used revolver tests described in the stickies in the revolver forum.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk

 

[Wiebelhaus]

Awesome advice folks, thanks. Checking those stickies now.

 

[jinxer3006]

You may also want to check out this video for some more tips on checking out a used revolver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gspk...xt=C39aee23UDOEgsToPDskLw6E-KZgTo7hd6c_LfF5B_