ww2 browning hi power and a s&w 28 refinishing questions

[sajnaj]

these two pistols were stored improperly for a period of time and suffered some surface rust with some minor pitting. i was able to remove almost all of the defects with a scotch pad and some oil. these firearms will never leave my hands so not so worried about reselling or any thing like that i was reading about doing some cold bluing products the product that i liked the most was oxpho blue. or getting them professionally redone but i don't know how much that will run.

OXPHO-BLUE® CREME - Brownells
Oxpho-Blue-Creme

my plan was to use a dremel with a buffing wheel to finish the rest of the trouble spots and then attempt to reblue the firearms my major concern is future rust problems if the firearms are not refinished. here are some pics give me some opinions

thanks jason

 

[snapping turtle]

I think the browning is OK. A little wear and tear is OK if a true WW2 model. If you buff off the edges of the letters and arsenal marks it would lose it WW2 looks. Makes it looks like it has been thrugh a war and it has.

The revolver looks like it needs something done with it. The revolver do with what you like.

I like the depth of a true rust blue. Bigger gunshops that get lots of rust blue calls offer the srevice at what I believe is a value for the finished product. Once they have the system down and get the right stuff it is not that bad to do.

That said I have seen some real good cold blue before and after pictures. I have had less good luck.

 

[Liberty Sanders]

You really need to think twice about bluing that Browning. It will play hell with its value. I know you're not planning to sell it but you won't live forever, and whoever gets it after you will appreciate it.

Your Model 28 looks pretty rough. It should appreciate in value since they haven't been made for a good while, but it might be the lesser of two evils to let a good smithy give it a facelift with a pro blue job.

 

[padawan]

What the others have said! Please don't do anything with the finish on the Browning. It will ruin the 'value' of the vintage BHP. Just clean, grease/oil and do any spring service it may need.

I would be interested in the BHP if you consider parting with it.

 

[hammer24]

NOOOOOOOO!!! Step away from the dremel tool!!! Don't try to refinish that high-power! As far as the S&W goes, you could do alright with refinishing it. I don't think I'd use a cold blue for it though. I've done complete guns before, but you won't get anywhere near as deep or dark as the factory blue. You may contact S&W and see what they can do for it. It seems I've heard good stories about sending old guns into them for refinishing.

 

[VN Vet]

In a word: Don't

Vv

 

[zoglog]

I will agree that the hi power looks perfect the way it is. I don't see any nazi proofs on it, that would have definitely stopped any refinishing. Does it have a slot on the back for a stock?

 

[sajnaj]

It does have the eagle stamped into it but it does not have the slot on rear of the grip

 

[JBI812]

I've used SW service department and they are great at re-finishing old handguns. They'll also do a timing, head space, check, etc. and make repairs before they start the process. They buff out the rust and dip the guns to original metal. Then, they do the factory blue. It'll look great (like new) when you get it back. Call first and get return authorization and shipping materials for UPS delivery. You paid inbound postage they pay to ship it back. 2 to 3 hundred range depending on its condition. They'll call with an estimate before they start work. Don't get in a hurry. It will take several weeks due to booking backlog. If you're concerned about selling to a hardcore collector, then don't re-finish. But, frankly, I did it for the same reason a guy would spend 50,000 to re-furbish a 1962 Chevy.I love the finish product.

 

[Hookeye]

I'd leave the HP alone and Gunkote or Cerakote the Smith.

And shoot the crap out of both!

 

[45fan]

Yeah, that Browning looks pretty sweet just the way it is, and if you want to refinish either of those, I think that you would be much happier with having a professional do the work on such fine pistols.

 

[Colt556]

I have a 4" Mod 29 I'd like to send back to S&W for a safety check and refinish. I've seen their work and it is really top notch. The Browning is up to you. For collectors value you should leave it the way it is but I've refinished several guns like that b/c I just couldn't stand them looking the way they did. They are my guns and I'm not trying to pass them off as original to anybody. A finely finished HP to me is one of the best and most attractive guns ever produced. IMO YMMV