Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Re-Blue Smith & Wesson ???

I'm soon to come into possession of a S&W 27 that was accidentally damaged by light moisture over time. Actually only one side of the revolver had the blueing damaged. No rust, pits, just cosmetic. I've heard that S&W does a fantastic re-blue. Are there any other revolver service providers that I should look into for this job?

Thanks, RS

Doug Turnbull’s outfit does OUTSTANDING work.

Ford's is reputed to be about the best around. Ford's

Here's an S&W they reblued.

I've heard many complaints about Ford's over the last few years. Seems like their quality has gone downhill.
Also, S&W's bluing process has changed in recent years--for the worse--due to EPA restrictions on the chemicals they used for their previously fantastic bluing jobs.

Used to be S&W was the best deal going not only because they were cheap but because you knew they knew how to polish one without washing out the side plate joint or the cylinder flutes.

The less often mentioned deal was that for either the same price or maybe $25 more they’d nickel it.

I’d check with the factory and see what they can do.

I'd just shoot the hell out of it.

Greg,

This is a strong Plan B.


RS

Yup, Plan B, especially if you intend to tote it around in a holster at all. Also the trouble and expense of shipping guns these days is considerable. It’s a tool, and one man’s damage is another man’s “character”.

You've got the finest 357 revolver ever built: accurate, rugged, finely fitted, trigger like a wish, and so forth. It's already damaged, so it will never be a fine collector's piece, and either refinishing or shooting will reduce its monetary value.

I'd shoot it and spend the re-blue money on ammo.


Okie John

I believe that will be the appropriate course of action. I already have multiple 27s and I shoot them frequently. But they don't have any mentionable cosmetic issues. I like my firearms to look good even though they are well-used. But I may let this one slide. As you say, the cost of a re-blue can buy a lot of 158 gr. XTPs.

RS

Or you could sell it to me really cheap.

I’ve noticed my well worn guns get a lot more range time than the nice ones.

I have researched this a fair amount the past several years. Bottom line - juice isn’t worth the squeeze unless it is a really unique piece (it isn’t) or you have a real sentimental attachment to it. If S&W will refinish it (a big IF) they cannot produce the original finish for the exact reason stated above (EPA stuff, plus a general lack of skillset). Just shoot it or sell it on and use the money toward one in nicer condition.

I have not dealt with Fords, but have read the same stories. Doug Turnball does immaculate work, but again the whole upside down cost thing.

I had a 15-3 S&W .38 refinished last year at the factory. Price and turn around were excellent and the workmanship was outstanding. This was a battered-up LAPD duty revolver that patrolled LA for 20+ years. No pitting or rust, but A LOT of blue wear. The factory also adjusted the timing/carryup and endshake (free). Edges were sharp, no dishing on the sideplate and all markings were undisturbed. The color is somewhat blacker than the 70's era blue, but still really nice. I'll be sending my old 27-2 in soon for a refinish.
Bob

That's great to hear. I've sent several old S&W revolvers to them for gunsmithing work, and it's always been first rate.

I sent a Winchester M/52 to Ford's a few years ago, I wasn't pleased with the work. Many engravers use Glenrock for reblue work, their work always gets high marks for quality.

If you can find a shop that does blued parkerizing, it looks real nice. But the parkarizing solution messes up blueing salts so would have to be done as a last job with old salts as an end of day job before cleaning the tanks, might take a while to get it back. Turns out a deep black, hard surface, with a light texture. We did a bunch, but stopped doing them in our shop when salts got a lot more expensive to replace.

Its your gun, do what feels right. Post war model 27's are not really rare, so refinish away and shoot the snot out of it. Or don, but whatever you do, shoot the snot out of it; that's a nice revolver.

Several places offer Cerakote for firearms. If I ever feel the need re blue my old Featherweight pre-64 30-6 or custom Marlin 1895 45-70 I will have them Cerakoted matte black that resembles a deep dark blue, but more durable and resists rust better.

Both guns have spent lots of time in a wall tent in moose camp and on my ocean boat on vessel based bear hunts before I sold it. The only finish on a gun that never got rust spots from several days on the boat was and old Glock 17 that had the Tennifer finish. Heck of a tough finish!

Is that the M27-2 with the 6 inch barrel? Judging from pictures you posted once it doesn't seem to be necessary.

That's the most valuable response to a question I've seen on this forum in a long time.