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New Stainless Revolvers?

milsurplusmilsurplus Member Posts: 221 ✭✭✭
edited July 2010 in Ask the Experts
Do new in the box stainless revolvers tend to look slightly dirty with a slight buffed scratched look all over if you look close even though they are supposedly new; or should they be mirror like perfect and completely clean as that is what I have seen now from more than one alleged new in the box stainless revolver...
Is it just from the stainless that they look that way as I am not that familiar with stainless firearms but have heard that stainless shows everything where as blued does not?
Thanks.

Comments

  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have several stainless revolvers and all have a "brushed" finish, none are like nickle plated guns or crome plated bumbers (Yeah, I know, I am dating myself). None really look scratched or dirty, but more "matte" finish.
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,886 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In recent years Colt has offered several models in high polish stainless. S&W has made a few.

    Bottom line, it depends on the gun, & sometimes on when it was made. If you look closely, you will often see the scratches in the surface line up perfectly, sometimes on the entire gun, sometimes on certain parts or certain areas. Some manufacturers bead blast some parts. Many barrels/frames will be brushed on the side & bead blasted on the top.

    Slightly dirty? Never seen that.

    Neal
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In SS the preferred finish is matte.
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by milsurplus
    Do new in the box stainless revolvers tend to look slightly dirty with a slight buffed scratched look all over if you look close even though they are supposedly new; or should they be mirror like perfect and completely clean as that is what I have seen now from more than one alleged new in the box stainless revolver...
    Is it just from the stainless that they look that way as I am not that familiar with stainless firearms but have heard that stainless shows everything where as blued does not?
    Thanks.


    Stainless steel will show scratches or marks on it, just like any other steel. (EG, if you've ever worn a stainless steel watchband, for any length of time you might notice this).

    As a result, MOST stainless steel guns are sold with matte/brushed or bead-blasted finishes which tend to conceal small scratches and imperfections better than a polished/mirror finish gun will.

    Over the years there have been stainless guns sold with polished/mirror type finishes. Here, for example, is a mirror polished stainless steel CZ-75.

    005.JPG

    Its also often possible to have a matte-finished stainless gun buffed and polished to a mirror finish, if you want:
    gun11.JPG

    SWm640-1.jpg


    The problem with this is that stainless steel just isn't as scratch resistant as chrome or nickel, and these will show wear with use.

    In terms of stainless vs blued, I don't think there is a big difference in scratch resistance. The biggest advantage of stainless is that its much more resistant to CORROSION (ie rust).
  • milsurplusmilsurplus Member Posts: 221 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Maybe dirty and scratched are the wrong words then and may give the wrong impression; slightly oiled and I suppose buffed would be better but leaves noticeable finger prints all over pretty easy and came from Smith & Wesson that way. Just kindof difficult to describe I suppose and like I said I am not used to stainless, I guess that I thought it would look more like the blued guns look when new in the box almost like a mirror...
  • wpagewpage Member Posts: 10,201 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good news is its really the best finish. Be happy SS with matte fininsh is durable reliable and bulletproof. So enjoy the best finish around!
  • milsurplusmilsurplus Member Posts: 221 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine doesn't look mirror shiny and has a dull matte almost 'brushed' look and it appears to have been test fired and has a faint drag line on the cylinder, apparently they come from Smith & Wesson new in the box that way...

    This is exactly how the revolver looked new out of the box
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/allglock/100_3515.jpg

    and there were some slight scrapes in the bore, so is this normal then?
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by milsurplus
    Mine doesn't look mirror shiny and has a dull matte almost 'brushed' look and it appears to have been test fired and has a faint drag line on the cylinder, apparently they come from Smith & Wesson new in the box that way...

    This is exactly how the revolver looked new out of the box
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/allglock/100_3515.jpg

    and there were some slight scrapes in the bore, so is this normal then?


    S&W used to proof test every revolver, by firing evry other cylinder. I have several that came from the factory like that. Not sure what ther quality procedure is these days, but back then, it seemd to be very good.

    There are shops out there who will polish your gun to a brite finnish if you desire, but it is costly, and time consuming. I done a 629 of mine like that, myself. Time has to be taken so it is not over polished, and screw holes dished out, and markings are not destroyed.

    Best
  • milsurplusmilsurplus Member Posts: 221 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Then guess that's just how they come new in the box, being that they are not going to clean them after test firing and such, thanks.
  • USN_AirdaleUSN_Airdale Member Posts: 2,987
    edited November -1
    i have one of these in .499LWR
    BFR_Short-Cyl-w-base.jpg

    it is near a perfect stainless as i have ever seen, it is from Magnum Research, the maker of all the BFR revolvers, check out their web site for more.
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