Single six reblue

[bigedd]

I recently bought a 9 1/2 inch 3 screw Single Six convertible that looks like it has been rode hard and put away wet. I am familiar with the effects on value of reblueing, but I will probalby never sell the old girl, and the price reduction couldn't be much worse than what it already is. I bought it CHEAP. Any thoughts?

 

[rugerguy]

bigedd, there is NOTHING wrong with having stuff that is "nice" , and if done properly should NOT even look like it was redone" that is a proper restoration, anybody can buff, strip, polish , and dip the metal parts in a bluing solution , and make it a "reblued" gun.........
yes, there is a point beyond ANY gun having "character" even normal wear and tear...........one gets to this point, then you can either get rid of it, trade it in or sell it and not get much for it because they will ALL tell you, "in that condition, it ain't worth much...." or you can invest a bit of money, get the job done right,, and have the SAME gun, look like new, an hopefully last as long or maybe LONGER if you decide to take care of it, and not do what the first owner did, "ride it hard, and put 'er away wet...."
shop around for shops who do any of this wrok, get prices, as well as time for any of the work to be done, or you can contact the factory, after all they built it in the first place, can redo the work and at the same time they can and will check it out to make sure it is in tip ,top operating condition as well...often see them put in a bunch of "new" parts' and update things, springs, and such....well worth it,sad part is the damn "shipping" back and forth, these days it makes the price "prohibitive" and thats why we tell folks to find someone 'local' if at all possible...
Good luck

 

[Tommy Kelly]

This is my opinion only. I have bought and sold many guns and if it's not too terrible I would leave it alone. The finish on a gun has nothing to do with the performance of a gun. You spend several hundred dollars refinishing a gun. Then it looks better but doesn't shoot better. Then if you decide to get rid of it the refinish cuts the value where a gun with worn finish shows someone used it a lot and liked it. As long as it's not pitted from lack of care I don't mind a gun with honest wear from use the stocks can have little finish as long as the wood isn't broken or gouged up from abuse it's ok. I had rather have a gun with wear than a brand new shiny finish that I would be too protective of to enjoy hunting with. It's like owning a brand new vehicle until it has a imperfect spot on it somewhere you are super careful once you find a imperfection even a scratch in the bed of a pickup then it becomes a truck that you can enjoy. I am super ticky with my guns and give my worst shape gun the same care an my super expensive ones. but I use and enjoy both of them.

 

[bigedd]

Thanks. All good points. Unfortunately it is really bad to include light pitting, but fortunately I do have a local gunsmith that is really good.

 

[gak]

My view is - it's your gun, do what you want. Regardless of one's extraterrestrial philosophy, I think it'd be unanimous agreement we only have so long at least on this here sphere. Especially if you have no plans to sell--and yes, we all know those can change--even if headed for heirloom-land, I'd refinish it IF it makes you feel better about it.

I have a friend who happened upon an original/non(re)imoort GI M1 Carbine. Was not the worst you've ever seen, but needed some TLC which turned into TLR (tender loving restoration). He was told by many, and to a degree myself, that the moment he touched it, future value would plummet in half, maybe two-thirds or more if you're talking 15-20+ years down the road. However, as much as he basically liked the gun it didn't tickle his fancy being kept in just so-so cosmetic and mechanical shape---really a great gun in unremarkable condition. His re-do, by a noted gunsmith (but not Fulton or other carbine specialist) was purposefully ($$) not done to the extent a Fulton would do even, so it'd likely not "pass inspection" fooling M1C afficiados. But it was a creditable functional and cosmetic freshening--including dark "gunmetal" gray and NOT light gray park'ing which the originals were not either but many think were...and is now a source of pride and joy. The good thing also is, he didn't do anything "stupid" that would preclude a full-on restoraton down the line, understanding that now that he committed the first sin with a reblue (etc). Actually sort of took the pressure off! Knowing there were some 6 million made helps also.

Do it an enjoy.

 

[BRL]

Lots of good points made by all above.

I once had a car that I had repainted to show room condition, and then was fearful to park it anywhere, lest some idiot open a car door into it.....
Never Again!

But at the same time, a car with "curb appeal" (decent finish) is for me, a lot better than a junky looking wreck.

I guess what I'm getting at is, make it a joy to own for...YOU!

If that means you'll be more pleased with a nicely refinished OM, then by all means do so.

Your happiness with its ownership should be your guide.

 

[davidh5000]

There is really only two ways to look at it. If you plan on keeping the gun, make it EXACTLY how you want it. If its a complete refinish back to as new condition DO IT. If you want to hack the barrel off to 2" and put plaid grips on it with a green cylinder DO IT :shock: its yours. If, however, its a gun you think you will keep only for a while the refinish will only be wasted money. You will never be able to recover the price of the refinishing job and the gun, let alone make a profit as any collector value it ever may have, or ever will have, is destroyed.

But in the end its your gun, your money, and you know what you want to do with it.

 

[DGNY]

Especially makes sense if it is a fine shooter now and you want to enjoy its appearance as redone, and its performance.

I sometimes wonder if a reblue sitting in a showcase doesn't signal a really fine revolver mechanically and accuracy-wise, compared to the ones that generate no particular enthusiasm, and remain forever worn looking..

Regards,

Dyson

 

[jimbo1096]

Follow your instincts and get it redone. You will use it and show it off and do so with pride.

 

[Anonymous]

Ruger will refinish it and they do it fairly cheep when you send it back to them, don't think the value would be lost much if Ruger refinished it.
You can look it up on their site think it was like $140 or less well worth it.