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Post by oregon45 on Apr 19, 2017 20:40:59 GMT -5
Picked up this interesting revolver today, it's a S&W 45 Caliber Model of 1950, or a pre-22. Apparently, fewer than 5,000 were made. The barrel is 5.5", it has the smooth backstrap and a high-polish finish that, at first, made me think the gun was reblued. After I cleaned off a decade or so of accumulated storage oil, the finish began to look just like the finish on my pre-29, right down to the thinning of the blue at the muzzle. The screw holes are not dished and the markings, albeit somewhat shallow (again, not too different from my pre-29), are still crisp. I'm interested in hearing other opinions, but my initial take is that this is a not a re-blue. It came with a set of Pachmayr grips, which are now in my parts box as I begin my search for a pair of walnut diamond magnas in shooter condition to match the overall condition of the revolver. The biggest bummer is the trigger, which at some point was replaced by a flash-chromed, wide, smooth trigger. I have a narrow, serrated, case-colored trigger on its way from Numrich. The hammer also has been bobbed about 1/8" and polished, but I am going to leave it for now because it is not too offensive. The front sight has had its face painted with some hideous dayglo yellow paint. Any thoughts on how best to remove this? Hoppes #9 had not effect, and I'm reluctant to try anything stronger or to go to a brass or bronze brush, given that the rest of the barrel is in not-too-bad cosmetic condition. The bore was filthy, but cleaned up nicely. The rifling is the typical 1917 style shallow rifling that is still strong, should be interesting to see how it shoots with hard cast bullets. All in all I think I got a good deal for $400 out the door.
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 19, 2017 20:43:38 GMT -5
But what a wonderful project gun. Congratulations on a great gun grab.
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Post by JSutter on Apr 19, 2017 21:31:27 GMT -5
Yes that can be a lot of fun. A project to get it where you want it. And to shoot, maybe working up a special handload. Congratulations
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ericp
.327 Meteor
Posts: 506
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Post by ericp on Apr 19, 2017 21:53:51 GMT -5
Very nice gun! Fixed sight N frames are my all time favorite DAs, they just ooze class. That one is great as it has enough wear that you won't mind packing it all over the place. Were it my gun I'd try a bit of acetone (on a que-tip) to get that paint off the front sight. Acetone is an equal part ingredient in Ed's Red bore cleaner which I use on all my guns and it has had no negative effects on any bluing. Not positive how it would act on it's own, I'm no chemist.
Eric
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jdoc
.327 Meteor
Posts: 727
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Post by jdoc on Apr 19, 2017 22:02:07 GMT -5
Great find and a steal to boot. A set of diamond magnas will be a little hard to find and pricey. Probably can find a regular set of magnas with a little looking. Culina makes some super S&W grips in many styles. Good luck with your find.
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Post by bushog on Apr 19, 2017 23:06:24 GMT -5
Sometimes treasures like this are the best....
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Post by oregon45 on Apr 19, 2017 23:58:50 GMT -5
Thanks guys, it should be a fun "restoration" project. The former owner also sold the store several hundred 45 Auto Rim handloads, so the gun definitely saw some use throughout its life; it'll see more, now, with me. Looking forward to having it out on the range.
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Post by Rimfire69 on Apr 20, 2017 9:22:27 GMT -5
A great project, will be a lot of fun to shoot, and it deserves cast.
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Post by jfs on Apr 20, 2017 9:47:43 GMT -5
always loved that model.....good luck with restore.....
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Post by toroflow on Apr 20, 2017 23:48:59 GMT -5
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Post by oregon45 on Apr 21, 2017 7:54:31 GMT -5
Yes, the later 1950's (those made after about 1955) were made with the higher polish.
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Post by bradshaw on Apr 21, 2017 9:31:56 GMT -5
"Mine has the dull "model 28" style bluing of the time, did the S&W guys say they were also made in high gloss blue?” ----toroflow
*****
toroflow.... the Model 28 signifies the Highway Patrolman devoid the exterior refinement lavished on its parent N-frame Model 27 .357 Magnum. The M-28 was listed with 4 and 6-inch barrels.
Many fixed sight Smith & Wessons received beautiful polish, which is the basis for a high-polish blue. Without high polish, bluing is dull, in some cases taking on the gray aspect of Parkerizing. The wartime Victory Model, a basic M&P fixed sight .38 Special, not only bypassed the rich S&W polish & blue, it was intentionally built to looser specifications. While standing at the workbench of S&W guru mechanic Al Plaas as he tuned up various Model 29s for me, the subject of the Victory came up. “You don’t want one of those for your shooting,” said Al Plaas as he worked on an 8-3/8-inch M-29. “The Victory doesn’t have the accuracy."
Bill Ruger held the S&W M-28 in high regard. At the time the M-28 Highway Patrolman sold for $85, its gorgeous forebear Model 27 retailed $125. The difference lay in finish. Absent the finely checkered topstrap & barrel rib along with beautiful polish of the M-27, the dog bone Highway Patrolman was built to sell a great revolver as cheaply as possible. Thus, no serrations----let along checkering----on topstrap & rib, no fine polish. Ruger knew what he was talking about as his Blackhawk .357 retailed at $87.50, two and a half dollars more than the M-28. David Bradshaw
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Post by oddshooter on Apr 21, 2017 13:36:16 GMT -5
My model 28 introduced me to what a quality double action S&W trigger felt like. I was surprised how much the larger size helped me maintain a steady sight during that DA pull.
Prescut
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Apr 21, 2017 16:00:08 GMT -5
Score!!! Nice find congrats 😉
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Post by oregon45 on Apr 21, 2017 16:03:45 GMT -5
I put an older pair of Micarta grips on the 1950 and took it to the range today. I think it still works 200gr Oregon Trail LSWC over 4.7gr of Bullseye, 45 ACP in moon-clips. 15 yards. Holding elevation with the front sight is a bit of a challenge. I used some Jasco paint remover to remove the dayglo paint and the bluing underneath was in better condition than I expected.
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