S&W 29-5 - Finish Question
I bought an S&W 29-5 6" blue with the high gloss shiney finish. Positively beautiful gun that the original owner swore was only out for one session.
I believe him because the thing looked like brand new when I got it. Nothing but a light cylinder ring. So I wiped it down with Remington Rem oil and stuck it in one of the Bore Store Socks I got from Brownells. Supposedly a rust preventive silicon based synthetic material sock that I thought would be perfect for storage.
Low and behold, I pull it out about one month later and the nice shiny finish is all dull and hazy. There's one point near the end of the bore where the blueing looks like it is actually being eaten away! Some people would say I'm being too picky, but this revolver was not like this when I got it, and the visual impairment is obvious.
I can't understand what happened! I've been blaming it on the Bore Store sock. It looks like a real hazy grey where the gun was in contact with the fabric. This is definitely apparent when turning and looking at the two opposite sides of the cylinder.
I'm pretty upset about this. Not sure what to do. S&W said they would refinish it for $165.00.
I believe him because the thing looked like brand new when I got it. Nothing but a light cylinder ring. So I wiped it down with Remington Rem oil and stuck it in one of the Bore Store Socks I got from Brownells. Supposedly a rust preventive silicon based synthetic material sock that I thought would be perfect for storage.
Low and behold, I pull it out about one month later and the nice shiny finish is all dull and hazy. There's one point near the end of the bore where the blueing looks like it is actually being eaten away! Some people would say I'm being too picky, but this revolver was not like this when I got it, and the visual impairment is obvious.
I can't understand what happened! I've been blaming it on the Bore Store sock. It looks like a real hazy grey where the gun was in contact with the fabric. This is definitely apparent when turning and looking at the two opposite sides of the cylinder.
I'm pretty upset about this. Not sure what to do. S&W said they would refinish it for $165.00.
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And it is definitely a permanent finish defect. I used the Blue Wonder cleaner thinking it might be just Rem Oil build up, but no such luck. This thing looks pathetic! And it was positlvely gorgeous when I received it. 0 -
Well, I got the scoop on this. Took it to the shop and let my local gunsmith look at it. He said there's nothing wrong with the Bore Store gun socks and they are actually very good for storage. This is just a really poor quality of blueing that Smith did back when these were made. He also said the steel quality/finish isn't the best.
Gave it a good cleaning with Maguire's wax, rubbed it down with Rig gun grease and it looks a lot better now.
No big deal. I bought this one to shoot and have fun with anyhow.0 -
quote:....This is just a really poor quality of blueing that Smith did back when these were made. He also said the steel quality/finish isn't the best....
I won't pretend to know what caused the problem with your gun, and I don't believe your gunsmith knows either. Of all the post-WWII blued S&W's I've owned, my 1992 vintage 29-5 (Classic) had the best finish of any of them, bar none.
Before making any guesses as to what might have caused your problem, I'd be curious to know more about how the gun was stored, and especially the temperature variations and humidity levels in your storage area. How old was the Rem-Oil, and how had it been stored? Could it possibly have been contaminated, say with bore cleaner? I just don't think it was the steel or the blueing itself that caused the finish to self destruct.
Oh, and how long have you owned that gun?
Mark
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There is a polish/cleaner called Flitz that is almost magical in restoring luster. It is expensive, but goes a long,long way!!! Available from
www.brownells.com
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob0 -
Humidity is not a problem in my home. Temperature is usually around 74-76 degrees. The Rem Oil is a brand new can I bought in March, however, I have been spraying it on a silicone felt cloth that is pretty old. (Wonder if that's it?) I am still somewhat skeptical, even though my local gunsmith seems to be very knowedgable. He even said that it looks like it has a hazy film of silicone that isn't coming off too well. Maybe I'll try the Flitz polish.
I received this gun from my FFL dealer on April 29th, just three months ago. As I said, I gave it a thorough inspection and it was positively beautiful. Wiped it down with Rem Oil, put it in the Bore Store sock, and just put it in a dresser drawer.
I've pretty much written this off as "no resolution". I've spent the whole day cleaning my collection and polishing with Armadillo.
Tried to get a couple pictures of the blueing where it is really messed up at the end of the bore, but there was too much reflection with the flash. Maybe I'll try to get a pic outdoors tomorrow so you can see what I am talking about.0
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