Model 66 no dash
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Riomouse911
Member
I would just let it naturally dull with use; so instead of a buffing afterwards just give it a wipe down. Over time the mirror gleam will fade into a more utilitarian look. Model 66-1 with a wiped down but not car-show polished look.
Some of the other things I’ve read or seen on the ‘net involve scouring pads or steel wool to kind of scuff up the finish. I’ll pass on those remedies myself, too easy to swirl it up and make a gun look like bubba had it in his mitts.
I did bead blast a 686+ that I carried on duty for a brief time, but that was to cover up scratches and scuffs from use rather than to just take the shine off. This is a permanent finish change that always looks matte.
Stay safe.
Some of the other things I’ve read or seen on the ‘net involve scouring pads or steel wool to kind of scuff up the finish. I’ll pass on those remedies myself, too easy to swirl it up and make a gun look like bubba had it in his mitts.
I did bead blast a 686+ that I carried on duty for a brief time, but that was to cover up scratches and scuffs from use rather than to just take the shine off. This is a permanent finish change that always looks matte.
Stay safe.
Rock185
Member
I've had my 66 since the '70s, and had polished it. When I sent it back to S&W to have it overhauled, they redid the finish back to the factory brushed finish. I think if one is careful, one could use various abrasive pads to duplicate the factory brushed finish.
jdavis123
Member
I have seen a polished stainless gun returned close to factory by low pressure blasting with garnet media. It will produce a nearly smooth and lightly dulled finish.
Rock185
Member
Batchs, FWIW, I have a blast cabinet and have experimented with various media for some years. Using something like Brownells 270+ glass beads leaves a very fine finish, with a slight sheen. Much as I like the finish produced by glass beads, it does not replicate the brushed finish S&W has used on so many stainless models over the years. As an example, I attached a photo of a gun I did with a light brush finish on the slide flats, and 270+ bead blast on the frame.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
Not the same gun, I know, but I have a Ruger original Vaquero in stainless that I bought a few years ago. Ruger sends them out polished. I don’t know who owned the gun before I did but it looked brand new when I bought it. The finish has not changed with use and cleaning. Just my thoughts, but I think if you want the finish to change more quickly you may need to help it along a bit.
Here’s a photo of my gun with my New Vaquero.
Here’s a photo of my gun with my New Vaquero.
Be advised that using steel wool on a stainless gun imbeds micro particles of non-stainless debris in the finish...these will rust over time. An abrasive nylon scrub has been suggested over the years in this forum, the gray one being mentioned, IIRC...but if interested, I'd try it on a non-showing portion of the grip. And BTW, I agree, for me, bright shiny guns do not appeal; but shiny or not, that M66 you've acquired ranks among the finest duty, defensive carry, hunting and range handguns ever offered. YMMv Rod
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bangswitch
Member
If it's a M66 no dash, original stocks, and the only thing "wrong" with it is that it is too shiny, I wouldn't touch it, except to shoot and clean it. It will lose the high polish with time, and even if it doesn't, just get used to it. I'd be happy to have a M66 no dash of any degree of shine.
My unfired M66-1 was plenty shiny 6 months ago when I got it, and I wasn't complaining.
My unfired M66-1 was plenty shiny 6 months ago when I got it, and I wasn't complaining.
wiscoaster
Member
Oh good heavens, leave it as is. It's a beautiful gun. Polish it even more, if anything. Stainless S&W's love to get polished. You'll have it purring in your lap like a warm kitty.
dfariswheel
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There is one method that will dull a stainless finish.
I've used this after removing scratches from guns with Scotchbrite abrasive pads to blend the finish more to the factory look.
You have to TOTALLY disassemble the gun, including removing the rear sight and disassembling the cylinder assembly.
You'll need a can of Bartenders Friend scrubbing powder and a brass toothbrush.
Mix the cleansing powder to a paste and keeping it wet just apply it to the gun and scrub with the brass toothbrush.
This will dull the finish and help blend it back together.
Stay away from the bead blasted areas on top of the frame and barrel.
I've used this after removing scratches from guns with Scotchbrite abrasive pads to blend the finish more to the factory look.
You have to TOTALLY disassemble the gun, including removing the rear sight and disassembling the cylinder assembly.
You'll need a can of Bartenders Friend scrubbing powder and a brass toothbrush.
Mix the cleansing powder to a paste and keeping it wet just apply it to the gun and scrub with the brass toothbrush.
This will dull the finish and help blend it back together.
Stay away from the bead blasted areas on top of the frame and barrel.
Yes, it has a stainless rear sight.
ALL RIGHT. That means it was in one of the first batches of the no-dash and worth a few dollars more. Evidently they were so enamored with doing the gun in stainless they did the rear sight. Of course bright shiny rear sight isn't exactly conducive to precision aiming. Without knowing the s/n you can place the year of manufacture at 1970-71.
Now. Is it a 6" barrel? If so carefully measure the barrel. They made some 6-1/8" long. Also worth a few dollars more.
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bannockburn
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Batchs
I use Mother's Mag Polish to give my stainless steel guns a high gloss shine. Why? Because I like the way nickel plating looks and this is one way to have it with stainless. I also don't care for the look of a dull matte finish. It's kind of boring and unfinished looking like the factory couldn't be bothered with doing even a little bit of polishing to make the gun appear somewhat nicer looking.
And if you don't like the bright shiny finish on your gun just do as some others have already suggested and let nature take it's course and let your gun "dull down" on its own. Soon enough it will tarnish and take on its own patina from being handled constantly, exposed to the elements, and get enough dirt and unburned powder on it to eventually take that shine away.
Some of my "shininess":
I use Mother's Mag Polish to give my stainless steel guns a high gloss shine. Why? Because I like the way nickel plating looks and this is one way to have it with stainless. I also don't care for the look of a dull matte finish. It's kind of boring and unfinished looking like the factory couldn't be bothered with doing even a little bit of polishing to make the gun appear somewhat nicer looking.
And if you don't like the bright shiny finish on your gun just do as some others have already suggested and let nature take it's course and let your gun "dull down" on its own. Soon enough it will tarnish and take on its own patina from being handled constantly, exposed to the elements, and get enough dirt and unburned powder on it to eventually take that shine away.
Some of my "shininess":
wiscoaster
Member
Beautiful "shininess" 
bangswitch
Member
Which model Gerber is that? I have one almost identical, but the back side of the blade is only sharpened 1/2 the length and is serrated. It's a boot knife, has a Cordura sheath instead of leather. I also have two other Gerbers of the same era, mine are from the mid 1980's. Yours is really great looking. I don't mean to veer OT here, but these are mine:
bannockburn
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bangswitch
It's a Gerber Mk.I which I bought sometime in the mid-70s. The handle is actually gray in color though they later changed it to black.
I also had a Mk.II with a gray handle and tan leather sheath but I gave it to a friend on mine. Replaced it some years later with a black handled model that came with a black leather sheath.
Sorry for the thread drift.
It's a Gerber Mk.I which I bought sometime in the mid-70s. The handle is actually gray in color though they later changed it to black.
I also had a Mk.II with a gray handle and tan leather sheath but I gave it to a friend on mine. Replaced it some years later with a black handled model that came with a black leather sheath.
Sorry for the thread drift.
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dfariswheel
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The first year or so, the Model 66 had bare stainless rear sights.
After complaints about light reflection they started giving stainless steel rear sights a black finish of some sort.
Then sometime in the 90's? they went to blued carbon steel sights.
The blackened stainless sights have an "S" stamped on the underside of the leaf.
After complaints about light reflection they started giving stainless steel rear sights a black finish of some sort.
Then sometime in the 90's? they went to blued carbon steel sights.
The blackened stainless sights have an "S" stamped on the underside of the leaf.
Mag-na-port offers a “velvet hone” finish for stainless guns which I believe is a fine glass bead blasted finish. I’ve had them do one for me and it’s beautiful. I’ve successfully recreated the look of that finish on my own by glass bead blasting. I’ve found that by increasing the coarseness of the media the finish goes from a dull silver (using fine) to more of a dull gray (using coarse). FWIW. If you are familiar with complete disassembly of your gun and have access to blasting equipment it’s a pretty easy process.
Airman Basic
Member
Can anyone suggest the best way to contact S & W about doing the same overhaul for my 66 no dash, stainless sights and all? It's in pretty sad shape.
Rock185
Member
Airman basic, I'd just give S&W a call. I'm not sure what they can or cannot do now days where these older guns are concerned...
Confederate
Member
I've never liked the way many S&W stainless guns come from the factory. If it's a fun you're going to shoot, consider having it hard-chromed. They may have a matte-polished finish option that would tone down the reflections and significantly harden the parts and lengthen the wear and tear of the gun. Stainless guns have a way of picking up nicks, though my Ruger seems to resist it more than S&W. Hard chroming stainless guns may increase the resistance to flame cutting and forcing cone erosion, and harden the hand/pawl and other parts.
Mahovsky's does a great job in refinishing and I've even thought about nickel-plating one of my stainless Security-Six revolvers just because I love bright nickel plating. I wish they would find a way of bluing stainless steel handguns. Not just making it black, but a shiny blue. I know they can do it with knives (see my SOG Agency (middle) and Bowies).
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Mahovsky's does a great job in refinishing and I've even thought about nickel-plating one of my stainless Security-Six revolvers just because I love bright nickel plating. I wish they would find a way of bluing stainless steel handguns. Not just making it black, but a shiny blue. I know they can do it with knives (see my SOG Agency (middle) and Bowies).
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