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Offline Badnews Bob

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New to me 15-3 question
« on: February 05, 2010, 09:17:44 AM »
Hey fellers I just bought a 4" 15-3 .38 special combat masterpiece. It is supposed have a really low round count (like only 20) and it looks to be true. However, It was stored in a leather holster for years and the finish is rough, almost pitting in some places. The ? is, would it be worth it to send to S&W to be refinished or should I just leave it alone and shoot it?

BTW it will be shot. I am a shooter not a collector. This things action is slick as glass and I think it will be a pleasure to shoot. 8)
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Offline gunblade

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2010, 09:24:13 AM »
If there's no pitting and it just need re-finishing, I'd send it in and get a factory job...I think it would definitely be worth it.  At least get an estimate. 
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2010, 09:31:07 AM »
I would shoot it.
If later you want to refinish the gun  OK but I would just shoot it and enjoy it.
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Offline skarke

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2010, 09:52:41 AM »
If you have the bucks, it'll sure be pretty when it comes back.  It is a matter of asthetics.  The math is pretty simple: you'll spend some bucks getting it beautified; but, selling the gun as is will net you so much.  Getting it reblued will net you that, plus the added value of a reblue.

So, you can shoot an ugly gun and sell it, or you can shoot a pretty gun and sell it for more, but you'll net the same, figuring that the only added value will be what you spend on it.

I'd rather shoot a pretty gun.
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Offline pastorp

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2010, 12:21:14 PM »
Actually the reblue will lower the colector value.......... If you reblue it you usually will never recover the cost. Hower if the reblued gun gives you added pleasure in use and ownership then it might be worth it to you, just remember no one else will want to pay more for it and colectors want origional condition guns.  :)

Regards,
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2010, 12:42:56 PM »
It's hardly a "collector piece" anyway so I don't see how he can affect the "collector value" of it either way.
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Offline skarke

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2010, 01:27:57 PM »
+1 GB, but pastorp is correct in that rebluing those guns won't net a fella the whole cost of the reblue, but like I was saying, they are sure purdyer.
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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline Autorim

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2010, 01:56:31 PM »
This is not a rare gun. I would shoot it, enjoy it and not worry about the appearance.
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2010, 03:22:30 PM »
Thanks fellers looks are not that important to me, But protecting the gun is. I guess I'll just keep it oiled and shoot it. :)
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Offline saddlebum

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2010, 12:47:02 PM »
The way you described the gun it sounds like surface rust. If that is what it is then you can buff it off with 0000 steel wool. It might come out real good. I got a great deal on a used gun one time because it looked all rusty and dirty. I buffed the surface rust off and cleaned it and you couldn't tell it was ever there. It was was worth more as soon as I was finished. Some rust will buff right off unless it's pitted. M15s are great guns, I have one. I may be weird but I consider it a must have in my collection. Good luck!!
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Offline ButlerFord45

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2010, 06:40:03 AM »
Paradox:

Smith & Wesson Model 15 is not a collectible gun.

No Smith & Wesson collection is complete without a Model 15
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2010, 07:58:31 AM »
Get some flitz and clean off the rust then oil and shoot .
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Offline Autorim

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2010, 01:54:52 AM »
Blue Wonder and Kroil are both good to loosen surface rust. Very fine grade steel wool can then be used. Don't be in too much of a rush - give the Blue Wonder and Kroil time to work under the rust. A copper penny can also be used to loosen the rust with out marring blueing.

Ken
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Offline johnjohn

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2010, 11:07:44 AM »
I have one and love it, shoots great. Bought from the original owner for $50.
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Offline Northern Flatlander

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #14 on: March 08, 2010, 06:43:58 PM »
Old guns are just that, old guns. If I want a new gun, Ill buy it. An old gun has a story, just like ourselves. Why cover it?
My 2 pecos

Dwayner
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Offline Hammerdown

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #15 on: March 08, 2010, 11:56:41 PM »
Quote from: skarke on February 05, 2010, 01:27:57 PM
+1 GB, but pastorp is correct in that rebluing those guns won't net a fella the whole cost of the reblue, but like I was saying, they are sure purdyer.



HMMMM... No always. It depends on what you have in the gun. I Purchased the S&W Model 27-2 below for $230.00. Some Idiot left this Gorgeous handgun in a Leather holster for a Whole Year {PIG} in my eyes that should have been Horse whipped for doing that, then I came into it. I sent just the effected part the cylinder off to Ford's refinishing in Florida and had them Re-Blue just the cylinder for $75.00 leaving me with $305.00 in it. I sold it for $625.00 more than doubling my money. Refinishing does not always Kill a Guns value, it depends on who the refinisher is and how good they are...Ford's in Florida is that Good !!    I would send them your gun...Hammerdown








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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2010, 02:18:00 AM »
My gun stays in the holster year round . It al;so stays in my pocket year round . Been that way for years now . Why is that being a pig ? its what i got it for . And it cost more than that 27 sold for. Yep it looks like it went thru. a lot of abuse . Guns are tools . Some are pretty tools but tools never the less .
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Offline Hammerdown

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2010, 02:27:14 AM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 09, 2010, 02:18:00 AM
My gun stays in the holster year round . It al;so stays in my pocket year round . Been that way for years now . Why is that being a pig ? its what i got it for . And it cost more than that 27 sold for. Yep it looks like it went thru. a lot of abuse . Guns are tools . Some are pretty tools but tools never the less .

Hello
Depending on the Leather Holster, Most have Tanning Chemicals used in the Process of Tanning that Pure attack Bluing. I too Carry daily in a leather Holster but take the precaution to Wax the blued hand gun that is in it to protect the bluing and it sure is Not the Top of The Line S&W Model 27 that I carry. I regard my Guns as High Dollar Investments that I want to keep that way, so they get the Highest care. The Previous owner of the fore-Mentioned S&W Model 27 above simply Hunted Once a Year with it, and elected to Not take it out of the Holster it was in, Ruining the finish of it and to me That is a Careless act, and he did not deserve to have such a High quality weapon as he did not care for it's Gorgeous Bluing, I say if you want to beat one into the ground Buy a Cheap side arm rather then destroy such a valuable Piece. This is Just my Opinion, of which I am certainly Entitled to, I did not direct it at anyone other than the one that destroyed this Gorgeous weapon by Shear Lazyness on his Part...Therfore he is Still a Pig in my mind...
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"yeah, Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I shall Fear no evil as I carry with me my Loaded S&W"

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: New to me 15-3 question
« Reply #18 on: March 09, 2010, 02:59:33 AM »
Mine is blue a 340 PD . I don't wax it but do clean it ever so often , an effort to insure it works not worried about beauty. If i carry to defend myself a cheap gun is not an option i care to live with . I kept a blued revolver in a holster near my bed for years and yes it showed holster wear . The market decides who can own a gun of any value , if you can buy it you can have it for what ever purpose you want . Its yours in effect he stood the loss in value and you made a nice profit . If i were you i would see the value in people like him . I don't see him as a pig , just a poor investor . And I agree you have every right to think what you wish to. AS DO I .
BTW . ya did good on the 27 !
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