Can a blued gun be given a different finish?

[TheMightyLevon]

I'm a relatively new gun owner and just got ahold of my first revolver, which I received used --- so I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not, but is it possible to have a blued gun refinished with something like nickel plating? The revolver I have is a blued Smith&Wesson with wooden grips, and I'm in love with the style/look of a silver revolver, so if it's possible I'd love to find a place to have that done.

[firebird.77]

I believe that it can be done, however at the cost of nickle plating the whole thing you would be better off getting a gun already in nickle or stainless. If the current gun holds no sentimental value, sell/trade it for the finish you want. If you want to keep it, then start saving...a lot. Once you have two, well, it becomes a disease.

[pennlineman]

Yes, you can have it nickel plated, chromed, parkerized, etc.

[TheMightyLevon]

I believe that it can be done, however at the cost of nickle plating the whole thing you would be better off getting a gun already in nickle or stainless. If the current gun holds no sentimental value, sell/trade it for the finish you want. If you want to keep it, then start saving...a lot. Once you have two, well, it becomes a disease.

The gun was my grandfather's, who passed it on to my father, who passed it on to me -- so yes, the gun does have sentimental value which makes trading a non-option. So since it does seem that it can be done, where exactly does someone go to find that service?

[P89]

IMO, leave that one alone and go get yourself something shiny. You'll be money ahead.

[pennlineman]

The gun was my grandfather's, who passed it on to my father, who passed it on to me -- so yes, the gun does have sentimental value which makes trading a non-option. So since it does seem that it can be done, where exactly does someone go to find that service?

Before you go too far. What model of revolver is this? The reason I ask is that some are quite rare and collectible. Refinishing such a revolver would diminish its collectability.

Another thing to consider. Honest wear on an old gun is cool in my opinion. They have character. Unless it was really bad, I think I'd leave it alone and cherish it for what it is.

[Emptymag]

A handgun passed from grandfather, to father, to you?
I would leave it alone and keep it the way it was passed down.

You can buy a nickel plated anything at any time, but you will never ever get a do-over with that handgun once you alter it.


Keep your eyes on the classifieds.

I bought this polished nickel 1911 last year for $350 and that included roughly $40-$50 worth of extras in that price.

[knight0334]

You might want to consider the fact that you will probably knock 20%-50% off the value of the gun if you do have it refinished, especially to something other than what it was originally.

[TheMightyLevon]

It's a 4'' K-Frame, an S&W Model 15-3. I'm admittedly torn -- there is something cool about keeping the original blued finish that it's had since the 70's, but there's also the "sexy" factor of my obsessive love of shiny metallic-tone revolvers.

I'm not going to rush into it, either way -- just something I'm considering.

[JDA58]

There is a good chance..You got something that is worth $$$$$ Depending on model