Melonite a steel revolver?

T

TopMCITWS

New member
Hello -- have been reviewing everyone's input for quite awhile and the wealth of knowledge within this forum is nothing short of amazing. This is my first post, and it is to inquire abou the feasibility of re-finishing a stainless steel S&W revolver. Specifically, have a S&W 625 JM -- it is a great gun and have been wanting a 45 acp revolver for years; however, really not a fan of the stainless steel look. Considering the idea of sending it in someplace (have good comments about Coal Creek Armory) to have it re-finished. It must be the old school / conservative side of me that really believes that firearms should be blued or black :D what can I say. :D

The question(s) then is this: Is this a pratical idea? Recommendations on a gunsmith who would be able to accomplish this project? If anyone else has accomplished this, would you be willing to provide a picture or two so I can see some potential results.

Your input in this inquiry is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
Can't send you a picture, and the gun was blue rather than stainless; but my head-of-the-bed gun is a Model 10-5 standard barrel I bought used, in excellent mechanical condition. It had been given a black coating similar to Melonite, apparently a professional job. No idea what finish was used. I thought it would be a good gun for knocking around in the woods. Now I can't do that anymore, so it's the house gun. Looks good, and the finish seems to wear well.
 
S&W has a black finish on their M&P pistols which have stainless slides. Give them a call and see if their custom shop will finish the revolver for you in a similar fashion.
 
I don't know why there is such confusion on this issue. Melonite and Tenifer are NOT finishes and do NOT alter the color of the steel whatsoever. They are surface hardening treatments. Sort of a modern equivalent to case hardening. The black finish you see on Glocks and other autos is black oxide, which has nothing to do with the Tenifer or Melonite treated metal underneath.
 
Appreciate the input received thus far. Hope that a few more folks will be willing to shed some more light on this thought. Thank you.
 
Honestly, you might think about selling the M625 and buying an M25, which is a blued version of the same revolver. They also have an M25 Mountain Gun, which is a blued 4" with tapered barrel. I have one and like it very well. Mine is the .45LC, but I have seen .45acp M25s as well (have seen 6" and had a "custom" ~4" at one point).


Good luck.
 
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