Author Topic: JUST GENERAL DISCUSSIONS--PICS ADDED (Read 1656 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** September 03, 2010, 03:10:52 AM »

OK now. I have my Uncles old K-22 S&W.
It has no bluing left after 20 years in a holster. I posted some pictures here a while ago.
I was going to send it back to S&W (here after called Smith) and contacted them for procedures. The day I was going to send it back, i called them as they asked.
The person on the phone said the could not accept the gun as it was produced before 1955--made in 1954.
Hummmmmm----OK, rules are rules--who do you suggest?
Clark Custom in Shreveport.
That is OK, they have good reputation.
I called Clark---yup, they will do it. I told them I would bring it up----I like the drive up thru this part of Texas/Louisiana.
Drove up to Clark yesterday---Jim Clark, the son of the elder Jim Clark---said nope, we are trying to get out of the blueing business.
I wanted the gun cleaned and reblued--nope.
OK--who do you suggest.
They gave me the name of a yet to be mentioned gunsmith about 25 miles south of Shreveport.
I called him and he said yes.
I drove to his little ol country shop. Young guy--well you know, at my age everbody is young, but, he is young.
Clark said they have sent work to him and they thought he did good work.
I was impressed with him and the shop.
We discussed and he said OK.
I will post in a month and get some pics of the after.
If it is good work I will post his name and all info.
Started 4AM and got home at 6:30 PM--drove 650 miles. It was a fun drive and the Pony Car appreciated the workout.
Blessings

rockbilly · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2010, 04:09:37 AM »

William, this brings back some fond memories. I met Jim Clark (Elder) back in the early sixties while stationed at Barksdale AFB. He and I became friends and spent some time together on the range. At that time he was a “NRA Distinguished Completive Pistol Shooter, “He was always willing to help a lesser qualified shooter so we got along well.

His repletion as a “builder and shooter” helped build the business, I own three of his guns, two 1911s and a Smith Model 41, now if I could only live up to what they are capable of doing.

Also funny you are dealing with the K-22, I have a “Safe Queen”, hasn’t been touched in 25-30 years other than and occasional cleaning that I need to send back to Smith. It was my Dad’s gun, he never used it (maybe a box of shells through it total) because it has always been extremely hard to open and close the cylinder. I was just looking at the S&W web site yesterday for information on getting her back to the factory.

drdougrx · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2010, 04:10:43 AM »

What's the issue with a pre-1955 gun?

williamlayton · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2010, 10:11:48 AM »

Lack of parts if one breaks.
Blessings

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2010, 11:41:33 AM »

I have had a S&W 1937 45 acp revolver in a shop in Va.that needs parts . Its been there for a long long time. Must be something to it

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2010, 05:36:33 PM »

No kidding.....such a shame.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2010, 05:42:42 PM »

Dang William, they didn't tell you no on the phone before you left?

williamlayton · « **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2010, 02:12:47 AM »

Well, I guess i could get all bothered about that. The young man I spoke to spoke to another that was their revolver smith and he OK'ed it.
Jim Clark is the owner and he put the stop on it.
It was a business decision--and I can appreciate that.
I am, at this point, satisfied that I am going to get it blued by the person that I gave it too.
Sometimes life is too short to get heated up over what is not going to happen.
I enjoyed the drive and that was enough--getting/finding a person who is willing is another plus.
We will see.
I still do not have my Colt back from the engraver and it looks like I am going to have to just go get it---this one does burn my butt---but, I will get over it.
Blessings

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 04, 2010, 10:07:17 AM »

Good story, thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the "after" pics.

williamlayton · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2010, 04:03:00 PM »

WELL NOW, got the call today from James Willis of Willis Arms (Elmgrove, La.) and the K-22 is good to go.
I have not seen it but will post the pics asap, when it arrives.
He said it was dirty as hay from the old oil in it but that it cleaned up good and all the parts were in excellent condition.
Now, I want to see the blueing job he did.
Blessings

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2010, 04:56:49 AM »

hope it exceeds your expectations

coyotejoe · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2010, 05:35:15 AM »

Can any reblue ever match the look of an old S&W?

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2010, 05:40:00 AM »

Coyote
No probably not and I am not expecting a miracle.
I saw some of his work and it was good but not that good.
At least it will have protection and has been cleaned real well.
Blessings

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2010, 09:05:13 AM »

Quote from: coyotejoe on September 24, 2010, 05:35:15 AM

Can any reblue ever match the look of an old S&W?

If they don't a few get so close ya can't tell

FN in MT · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2010, 09:48:45 AM »

I'm a S&W revolver collector, simply snagging the models I wish I could have afforded back when I was struggling as a young cop. You know the story..in order to buy the next...you had to sell something.

I've got several older "shooters" that I'd love to reblue but whenever I've seen non factory reblues the results tend to be less than spectacular. Smith does list on it's website that they do NOT work on the older guns...due to lack of replacement parts. What a shame.

Like so many things in todays modern world it boils down to Attorneys, Bean Counters and big Govt.

The old bluing process resulted in HAZ MAT waste when the bluing solution finally wore out...silly EPA rules. Getting rid of that waste made the old bluing process no longer cost effective...or so said the Bean Counters. Working on the older guns...should they find an unsafe gun...they would have to return it to the owner, unrepaired...Attorneys love that sort of liability. SAD situation today.

There have been a few refinishers listed on the S&W Forum that apparently do good work.

I've got a 1955 8 3/8" pre 27, and a 1953 pre M-18 both will go with me to the grave...both have maybe 50% finish left. Would like to refinish..but WHO?

FN in MT

FN in MT · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2010, 10:00:51 AM »

http://www.fordsguns.com/index2.htm

Apparently FORDS in FL are THE refinishers that have been talked up on the S&W site.

Saw a few guns they have worked on...digitals....but they looked very nice.

FN in MT

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2010, 03:00:23 PM »

Fords, web address in post above!!

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2010, 11:54:53 PM »

I got the K-22 back yesterday evening.
Write this boys name down.
Willis Arms
James Willis
2998 Smith rd
ElmGrove, La.
318-742-7432

I am more than pleased. the work is not a Smith blue. It is a GOOD, deep, even color with a lot of lustre.
This boy knows what he is doing.
Blessings

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2010, 07:08:48 AM »

Here are some before and after of the K-22.
I am pleased as punch at the results---pardon the poor photographer.

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2010, 07:11:45 AM »

And a couple more after shots.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2010, 07:39:42 AM »

William, the gun looks really good, I think your uncle would be proud.

FN in MT · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2010, 08:36:02 AM »

Looks pretty danged good! I have three or four pre model guns. ALL of them with a sentimental value...I'll never sell them...but all of them need a refinish.

This may have pushed me over the top to send a few in for a re-do.

FN in MT

tacklebury · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2010, 04:14:01 PM »

Turned out excellent.

Brett · « **Reply #23 on:** October 07, 2010, 04:21:52 AM »

Not bad at all. Not quite the luster of a S&W blueing (judging by the photos) but looks to be very even. Huge improvement over the before pictures.