Blue Finish

Ford's is one of the best in the country. They do a finish that is very close to the high polish S&W blue of years ago. Check them out here:http://fordsguns.com/

S&W does an absolutely beautamous job.

Doug Turnbull would be my first choice.

Cerakote? STU?....

As for the .41magnum, you could consider the great Cerakote. I like the SOCOM Blue color. You can also mix Cerakote colors for a custom style, .
As for holsters, my first suggestion would be the STU from Lawman Leathergoods. They reportedly are under new ownership/mgmt. The new VEX system can offer a good fit for the big N frame revolver.

Other top brands for holsters include Simply Rugged, Galco, Bianchi Intl, DeSantis.

S&W used to do a beautamous job. Their polishing today doesn't begin to compare to the quality they used to do on every gun they made. But if they did work like that now - no one could afford to buy one. While I love the high polish old S&W as much as anyone it's really not practical on a carry/duty gun - it will show every little scratch if carried. But it is beautiful. I have several (including an early 57 no dash) - and they all have holster wear and scratches. I stopped worrying about it. Some guys like to shoot them and some guys just want to place them in a fancy display case and use them for investment purposes. I shoot them.

I like a gun with some honest "character" I would leave it alone unless your worried about rust. One of the few good things about living in the desert no rust issue's

"Back when," both Smith & Wesson and Colt used special buffing wheels that were contoured to match the part being polished. That, and the highly developed skills of the workmen doing the work is what was behind the so-much-admired blue or nickel finish, not the finishing process itself.

Both of these factors (wheels and workmen) are largely history. Others may come close, but in doing so their work is very expensive, and in today's economy fully justified.

Since you are clearly planning to use your new purchase, and they're is no reason you shouldn't, I would suggest that you not get it reblued - because with use it will eventually look like it does now. Instead get an alternative finish (such as electroless hard chrome) that that better resists wear and corrosion.

Here: http://www.foglesgunsmithing.com/ $135 - $350 ... choose how you want it to look.

The entire bluing process at S&W as been changed due to EPA regulations regarding the chemicals used in the original process. S&W will still provide you with a refinish in a high gloss blue but, it is not the deep mirror blue/black of the older process. It is still pretty...just not as pretty as it used to be.

Actually, from what I understand, the old blue is no longer done because of environmental concerns, and that's why S&W no longer does it. I don't know how good the bluing is by Mahovsky's, but if it's as good as its hard chroming, it's worth checking out. I love good bluing, but I prefer the deep bluing look on my knives, not my guns.

Make sure you take good before and after photos, preferably outdoors. I'd love to see them.

I like the look and durability of hard chrome plating. I would send it off to Ron Mahovsky at Metalife.

Barry,

Do you think yours has the original finish? Photo in your other thread says maybe not.

Anyway if you are considering Ford's, this is what they did for me on a 1924 M&P;





There is an imperfection in the first photo, but not on the gun. My questionable photography and Renaissance wax. A little pricey with shipping and a considerable waiting list but worth it for what I wanted. They outsourced the true case hardening color on trigger/hammer. I was very pleased.

http://fordsguns.com/

Barry,

Yes, a 1924 "long action". It has a great action. Although I have no before pics, the blue was a mess. I had little to lose and no great "collector value" to ruin. If yours has already been refinished, you are pretty much in the same boat. Larna and Horace at Ford's are great to work with. None better if you ask me and I do not believe as pricey as Turnbull. Turnbull has become something of a "Rock Star" by my impression. Horace and Larna are more like your favorite neighbors. Worst downside is the wait and they will do the best they can but they WILL NOT compromise quality.