Polishing stainless steel to remove scratches?

[Martinjmpr]

I have an old S&W M64 revolver. I bought it years ago as a "camp gun." Nothing fancy, it's a .38 SPL, 4" barrel revolver (the 64 is the stainless steel version of the Model 10.) It was previously used by either a police dept or a security company and they had the action converted to DAO and a spurless hammer put on. Pretty sure it's the same kind of gun the RTD security personnel used to carry when I rode the light rail from 2006 - 2011 (apparently they carry Glocks now - my stepson is working for them.)

ANYWAY, as you would imagine from a "working" gun like this, it's got the usual handling scratches, nicks, etc. So I'm thinking it might be nice to restore this old Smith to it's original glory, and in that regard I'd like to know if it's possible to have the gun polished or otherwise refinished to remove the scratches and nicks. I'd also be interested in restoring it to the factory SA/DA configuration with a full hammer and maybe even a wide target trigger (my M19 has one and I love it!)

So is refinishing stainless guns even possible or cost effective? Would it damage any residual value that an unmolested gun might have? (I know on blued guns, re-blueing sometimes diminishes the collector value.) What would the approximate cost be and can anyone recommend a gunsmith to do it?

Thanks in advance!

Pics of the gun in question:

[Bailey Guns]

Be very careful about polishing. It's way too easy to screw it up and remove too much material, losing the sharp edges and lettering.

I can tell you from experience that the S&W Custom Shop are masters at refinishing/restoring these guns. And the price is very reasonable. You can ship it to them and get it sent right back to you. It really would be worthwhile to give them a call.

[Doc45]

To restore it shouldn’t be any more difficult than having a standard hammer installed. Smith can restore the original semi brushed finish but there are more than a few local quality gunsmiths than can do so as well. A good friend has one of the NY-1 2” 64s that looked pretty bad after he got it. TJ’s in Aurora did a great job on the finish as well as installing a red ramp-3 week turnaround last year.

Yours isn’t terribly collectible (unless it’s from NYPD to le gun collectors) so do what makes you happy.

[encorehunter]

I think it looks horrible, and you should send it to me so it can help my model 66 look better. This is some great info that I believe I may use as well. My model 66 has been used and carried, but I love it, and I think sending it back to Smith and Wesson is an excellent idea. Thank you for the topic.


P.S. if you need my address to send it to, PM me, I can take care of the BG check. Nice little gun, and I would love to find one, one of these days.

[ray1970]

I’ve heard good luck touching them up with Scotchbrite pads. Been a while so I can’t remember if the white or the green ones are the ones that match the original finish. Pretty sure it’s not the red ones.

Anyhow, I love DAO revolvers with thin triggers so I’d likely just spiffy it up with the Scotchbrite pads, replace those hideous grips, and call it good.

[henpecked]

Bead blast cabinet with fine media will make it like new

[BPTactical]

Send it to Smith & Wesson. All roll marks and edges will be preserved and it will likely be cheaper than a local resource.
A SS firearm that has not been properly refinished looks like ass.

[sampson]

Had good luck with the blue scotch brite pads and polish for scratches.

[Ah Pook]

Another "send it to S&W".

I've used green jewler's rouge (or finer) and a buffing wheel with good results. Use a very light touch.

[sampson]

Another "send it to S&W".

I've used green jewler's rouge (or finer) and a buffing wheel with good results. Use a very light touch.

Would they take a Ruger? Lol