KSPNY-182 SP 101 Revolvers

[Flatbush]

Question regarding SPNY revolvers. I thought up till now that these SPNY revolvers were "target gray" finish. Apparently there were also SPNY's in a stainless finish also.

I have studied a thread on this subject that ran here back in March 2009.
I have been using this as a reference source and thank all who contributed to the info there.

That thread states that stainless SPNY's were "Extremely Rare".
That info is 5+ years ago. May I ask if any new info is available regarding "stainless finish" SPNY revolvers. Any idea how many have surfaced? Are they much more rare than target gray?

Many thanks!

Flatbush

 

[Terry T]

Short answer is that the brushed stainless is much less common than the 'target gray'. However, actual numbers are very elusive. I am unaware of anyone having the number.
My belief is that they were 'left over' or a later batch.
Not very helpful, I know.
Terry T

 

[RoninPA]

Finally had some time to do some research. The KSPNY-182 had the matte stainless finish, a bit different than the actual Target Gray finish (but I will say that I'm not sure exactly what the process is for doing the gray finish), The matte finish typically would have been done by blasting it with a very fine abrasive. There is one known KSPNY that was sent with a brushed stainless finish so it would have been a little brighter than the matte. There may have been more shipped but no more have surfaced yet.

The SPNY that is on it's way to me as we speak should have the matte finish but it shows the holster wear and such so I'm going to see if Ruger will fix it so it looks like when it came from the factory.

Getting this one completes my collection of the NYCPD Rugers (other than the one off ones that are out there that no one knows about yet ).

 

[Flatbush]

I also am waiting to take delivery of an SPNY that was described on Gunbroker as "stainless". I will hopefully receive it soon and post pictures with another SPNY that I previously bought. I remembered reading in previous threads of " stainless SPNYs" in that thread that ran about 5 years ago. So I of course had to take a shot on another SPNY.

I gotta tell you, buying these duty revolvers, I sort of have to hold my breath each time I get them. I know the imperfections are honest wear, and so far I have been fortunate that none have been too severely damaged.

Like many other things in life, I like to push things till I get my fingers burned. Don't really know if I should be shooting these NY duty revolvers or not or "collecting" them.

They are fun to hunt for- I guess maybe because they are not too common these days.

 

[RoninPA]

I wouldn't worry about shooting any of the duty revolvers, the vast majority only have cosmetic wear. Contrary to what you see on TV and read in the papers, most police guns aren't fired much at all. The most firing that is done is when the policeman has to qualify each year and I doubt they shoot 100 rounds for that. I've bought few prison system guns in the past that the externals looked really bad but the internals were darn near perfect. Refurbished them and sold some (I am keeping two stainless Police Service Sixes that are conssecutive serial numbers though).

Your last sentance sums it up, the fun is in the hunt. I have Sixes, GP's, and Sp's that I carry and shoot and I have those that are strictly collectors items and I wouldn't think of shooting them. To me my collection guns are pieces of art.