To polish...or not???

[schmidty]

Got a question about polishing a DA revolver and I need your experienced opinions. I recently saw a guys revolver which he had hand polished to a mirror finish using only Mothers Mag wheel polish and old T-shirts. It looked very appealing to me and, although I wouldn't want it for my single actions or any of my other firearms, I find the idea tempting. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that it might be better to just leave the brushed finish for a working revolver. I'm thinking that occasional shooting sessions might booger up the finish of a highly polished revolver and it might require continual maintenance to keep the mirror finish. Does polishing a revolver set you up for a lot of work - cleaning and keeping up appearance? I suspect it's best left for showpieces and safe queens...but I wanted to see what you guys had to say about it. Thanks!!

[CBH]

I polished my SBH, SS, to a mirror finish using various grits of wet or dry and a buffing wheel. A lotta work. It looks beautiful and has the added benefit of softer edging around the trigger guard and backstrap. Shooting in bright sunlight is difficult due to glare, tho. Easy to touch up in the event of a scratch or normal abrasions.

[curmudgeon]

Are you talking a stainless gun or chromemoly?? Both will require maintence stainless less. But I start with die polishing stones. Unless you are an experienced polisher wheels will get you in a world of hurt. Also depends on how deep your marks. On a high polish stainless cotton will leave deep scratches. Also depends on what you call a high polish. I've put a better spit polish on shoes than what some people call a high polish. FWIW dept.

[schmidty]

Thanks guys. I'm talking Stainless and a NIB gun...if that helps clarify things. The shooting in the bright sunlight problem is one I never even thought of...so thanks for the heads-up! That's one more issue to consider.

[bradshaw]

On of the most beautiful high polish stainless revolvers I've handled was shown me by a forester in a hunting camp. It is a Ruger Vaquero .45 Colt 4-5/8-inch, with faux ivory grips. This is a pre-New Vaquero. I would scratch that revolver in a hurry, as it would find its way into leather. Soft lined or suede lined leather doesn't protect high polish blue much better than single layer leather. A light rub of neatsfoot oil with graphite helps.

But it is the nature of a perfect surface to show abrasion fast. Brush finished stainless goes in and out of leather thousands of times with barely a change in appearance. And the brushed look is readily restored with a pass of Scotch Bright pad. The mirror effect of high polish stainless on a sunlit mountain might make you feel as exposed as walking naked on Broadway. Visual equivalent to making noise.


Note that high polish brings out imperfections with a fury. High polish on a blued revolver has the advantage of providing less tooth for rust. For stainless, I prefer the practicality of brushed.
David Bradshaw

[curmudgeon]

I agree with David B. on high polish bringing out the flaws with a fury. A high polish stainless is for show only IMHO, A polish to remove 99% of flaws followed by a 200 grit glass beads make s a beautiful brushed finished. The 200 grit glass is about the consistency of flour. Only doing and trying can tell which is best for your needs. FWIW dept.

[schmidty]

Thanks DB and Cur. Some good advice...I can always stick with the brushed finish and just be happy in the knowledge that I could polish it if I wanted to

[was1911]

x

[98redline]

WAS...I am always impressed with both your photos and talent....and to be perfectly honest, just a bit envious.

As always great pics and post. Please keep them coming.

[schmidty]

Yeah...thanks for the eye candy.