What kind of refinish job does S&W do?

[SGW42]

I sent my Model 19-3 off to them about a month ago. The old girl had seen some serious use and ended up needing the majority of the internals replaced. The finish was nice but far from pretty, and since it's shooter and not a collector's piece I told them to refinish it while it was up there in Springfield.

Now I'm expecting the revolver back any day now and I got ants in my pants waiting for it, so just wondering if anyone else had S&W put a new blue finish on a gun and what kind of results they got. Will share mine once I have it back in my hands.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I haven't have any of my revolvers done by S&W but I have seen the results on a M10. Let me tell you, that Model 10 looked like it was bought back in 1960 and left in the box. It looked new and perfect. Considering S&W did the original and now the remake it would take a expert to tell the difference. They do some outstanding work from what I've heard and what I've seen in that one case.

 

[Oro]

I have seen some recent S&W refinishes and they were very, very good. Please post lots of detailed pictures when yours gets back.

 

[jdh]

I didn't have them refinish it so I can't comment on that part. My 57 came back with the action smooth and tight with the timing spot on and no more binding on the cylinder. Good as new.

 

[OLD208X3A]

S&W...

I had my Grandfathers pre-model 36 flat latch refinished by Smith (it was virtually unsafe and looked like it's been dragged behind a truck by the time I got it). It looks like the day he bought it and shoots like a dream now. I carry it now and again. They did a fantastic job. Still have the original box too!

 

[Oyeboten]

Just offhand, anyone know what S & W charges for refinishing a Blue, 4 in Model 10?


That'd be kind of fun to have done...

 

[SGW42]

I happen to have the repair order handy. My 19 is a 4" K-frame, I'd assume the price would be the same.

$180. (Listed as "REFINISH COMPLETE GUN")

FWIW, they wanted $50 to case harden the hammer and trigger, but since I remember the case colors still looking pretty good on those, I had them remove that line.

And if anyone is interested, they're asking $11.05 for a (MIM) cylinder stop, $13.54 for a hand, $6.97 for an extractor rod, and $14.58 for a (MIM) rebound slide. All on top of 3 units (hours?) of labor at $6.00 a pop.

 

[SGW42]

Forgot to say I dunno if they charge different rates depending on the severity of the condition prior, or something like that. I had heard $110 or so before I sent it off, and the nice lady at S&W that helped me ship it estimated a refinish at $145 or thereabouts. So when I got the RO and saw $180 I was a little surprised, but an adamant about getting this gun looking good so I relented.

Sorry for the quality but here is a "before" shot:



You can see how the cylinder stop got out of whack or something and eventually made a big scrape in the cylinder rather than a neat line.

I've got a new set of factory service grips (fit my hand better than the target grips) waiting for her when she gets back too.

 

[gunut]

S&w 19

wonder if they would of refinished your smooth target grips 4 you....those are quite popular grips....yours need a little help...but look like they would refinish well....remove emblems ...strip [dont sand] ...wash, let dry, varnish...sweet

 

[Oyeboten]

Thanks SGW42 ( S & W refinish cost reference...)


I might send one off to them just for fun.


Never had a 'New' Gun before, and a genuine re-done by them Blueing would be a real treat for the right Revolver.


Could be that Cylinder line was what had them lean on their Pencil price-wise.


It's a shame one sees these lines having happened, and I've brooded on it, and I may have arrived at an understanding of why the little Cylinder detent pawl can end up doing that.


Are you going to have S & W fix that issue while they have the Pistol?


Phil
l v

 

[SGW42]

Yes. The original problem was something was going on with the ejector rod, which wouldn't allow me to open the cylinder. Tried to have that fixed twice locally. At the same time I figured something was going on with the timing/lockup. In my letter to them I basically just told them my problems and asked that they check out the whole shebang and repair/replace anything until it functioned as it should and was timed correctly.

I picked this up used 5 or 6 years ago for $250, before I knew anything about revolvers. If I had known then how to properly check out a revolver I probably would have passed on this.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The good news is, if they find anything that needs to be fixed that's covered under the warranty they will also fix that at no charge. I've heard rumors of people who have sent guns in for repair with ratty looking grips like those and they come back done over without charge. I don't know that's true but I have heard it.

 

[Drail]

I don't know what they are doing currently but there was a period starting back in the early 90s when they were contracting their bluing work out. Bluing work is an EPA nightmare nowdays. Whoever they used did very nice work.

 

[SGW42]

I've heard rumors of people who have sent guns in for repair with ratty looking grips like those and they come back done over without charge. I don't know that's true but I have heard it.

Well nuts, I took the grips off (as per their instructions) and I have them here with me.

 

[mec]

 

[Jim K]

AFAIK, S&W does a better reblue job than anyone else I have seen, including me. They do NOT do anything to non-factory grips and will replace or refinish factory grips only if it is on the repair order.

Jim

 

[Chindo18Z]

Anyone have recent experience with regards to S&W's replacing old non-MIM parts with new MIM after having sent a revolver in for refinish/timing/tuneup?

Specifically, if I send in an older 1960s N-Frame, would they use new old stock parts or simply replace worn old parts with MIM?

I've got an old warhorse that is turning plum and have considered the factory refinish route, but am leery about getting back an action rebuilt on frankenparts.

 

[SGW42]

I called and apparently my 19 is in S&W's mail room right now - so I'll probably have it by this weekend. Can't wait!

 

[Maj Dad]

Bluing Quality

Back around 1989-90 when I had an FFL I sent a friend's M29 back to Smith for refinishing after he left it in a damp Uncle Mike's holster (excellent holster, too - he gave it to me ). It wasn't just rusted; it was corroded. When it came back, it looked new, and we had to look closely to make sure it wasn't a new gun. They did charge to replace the hammer and a couple other parts, but it was well worth the charge (don't remember). I have looked around and their current price to refinish a revolver is about $200 +/-, and the lowest I've found from refinishers is about $150. I'd go with Smith, and I don't think you'll regret it, either.

Chindo, I kind of like the plum look; it's like an old friend that's aging with you...