Ajax25

I've been a lurker on this site for a while and a I finally have a question.

I have two pistols (a Star PD and a S&W 39-2) and are in decent working order but pretty worn. Since they're really not worth the trouble of selling, I've been considering having them refinshed. I was thinking of the pros and cons and wanted anyone else's opinion.

Pros: looks better, cheaper than buying another gun.

Cons: ruins the orginal value (what little they have left), refinishing is probably worth more than the actual pistols themselves.

Anyone else want to chime in?

retDAC

What are these worth to you? (not just in $)

Ajax25

They were my father's, so they have some sentimental value, but on the long list of guns he left me, they're probably on the lower third. I think that's probably part of the problem in deciding - I don't have that strong a feeling either way.

Bill Caldwell

A nice finish does not affect the way the firearm shoots in any way, as long as the weapon is kept clean and oiled...A good finish does make them easier to maintain...Keep a good coat of MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC on them

Case in point, I've got a good hot blue setup, I can rust blue, good friends with Bob Cogan of AWP...I never blue a pistol I'm usein', carryin', or competein' with. Most blue finishes won't last 5000 draws from leather, less than that from kydex. 5000 draws is often done every week if I'm trainin' much......That's what it takes for My draws to hang around .6to .8 seconds

Bill Caldwell

Ajax25

^ You make a good point. I'm thinking maybe instead of refinishing, I'll build from the inside out. Parts are harder to come buy for those guns, but they shoot good, the finish can come later.

Thanks for the help!

retDAC

Most of my guns are not likely to ever be for sale or trade. At least not by me. Most have little or no collector value. So then it becomes what would refinishing do for me, with cost as a secondary consideration. One thing you might be concerned about is if the refinsher has an FFL, then he has to keep an official record of all firearms he refinishes.

Ajax25

Thanks for the advice. As for where I would get a refinsh done, I suppose it would be someplace like Gander Mountain, since that's the only place I know (though I haven't researched any locals in my area that could do it.)