Posted: 8/30/2026 8:05:07 PM EDT
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I have a heavily used S&W 5903 on layaway at a local pawn shop and since I’m a huge fan of Smith & Wesson Gen1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 semi-auto pistols and when I see one, I tend to jump on them… Regardless on condition, but this one is the roughest one I’ve seen in years. Anyway, the stainless steel side’s front-end has heavy holster wear where it actually looks polished. So, I am hoping to find a business that can refinish the slide back to its original Matt stainless steel finish without buffing/blasting away the frame’s factory markings. Does anybody know of a business that can do this type of work? If so, any information on them would be greatly appreciated. I should note that I would only be sending the slide to have this work done. Also, another question, since the pistol’s frame is alloy, I’m planning to have that refinished as well with a Duracoat or Cerakote product. The factory finish is also in rough condition and the frame’s original finish has slightly “yellowed” over the years. Anyway, I would like to have it refinished to a more “stainless steel” looking Duracoat/Ceracote matt/lightly satin color. If you have any knowledge on either Duracoat or Ceracote products, what Color/Color Code would you recommend? This way I will have a better knowledge when speaking to somebody on what I’m seeking to achieve. As always, thank you for any tips and leads for this project!! |
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Originally Posted By bergunx: I have a heavily used S&W 5903 on layaway at a local pawn shop and since I'm a huge fan of Smith & Wesson Gen1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 semi-auto pistols and when I see one, I tend to jump on them Regardless on condition, but this one is the roughest one I've seen in years. Anyway, the stainless steel side's front-end has heavy holster wear where it actually looks polished. So, I am hoping to find a business that can refinish the slide back to its original Matt stainless steel finish without buffing/blasting away the frame's factory markings. Does anybody know of a business that can do this type of work? If so, any information on them would be greatly appreciated. I should note that I would only be sending the slide to have this work done. Also, another question, since the pistol's frame is alloy, I'm planning to have that refinished as well with a Duracoat or Cerakote product. The factory finish is also in rough condition and the frame's original finish has slightly "yellowed" over the years. Anyway, I would like to have it refinished to a more "stainless steel" looking Duracoat/Ceracote matt/lightly satin color. If you have any knowledge on either Duracoat or Ceracote products, what Color/Color Code would you recommend? This way I will have a better knowledge when speaking to somebody on what I'm seeking to achieve. As always, thank you for any tips and leads for this project!! https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/scotch-brite-pads-on-3rd-gen-stainless.282878/ https://www.smithandwessonforums.com/threads/rubbing-5906-with-scotch-bright.58465/ https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/s-w-third-gen-goodness%E2%80%A6.1961746/ https://www.ar15.com/forums/handguns/5906-Restoration/16-188400/ |
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Post pictures of what you’re up against, but for now another vote for scotch-Brite pads. 5903 before: Attached File 5903 after Attached File |
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| Bead blasting will make it look like new, I've done a few stainless guns. The original markings will still be there just not highlighted, you could "color fill" them to make them look like they originally did. |
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Originally Posted By HEATH223: Bead blasting will make it look like new, I've done a few stainless guns. The original markings will still be there just not highlighted, you could "color fill" them to make them look like they originally did. Thanks for all the responses!! That’s the route I’d like to go with this pistol. I’ve used Scotch -Brite pads before on a few of my Stainless Steel S&W revolvers to remove some light scratches, but the pistol I’ll be working on is, IMHO, beyond Scotch pads. To be honest, I’m not going to carry it and will only lightly shoot it since it just filling a hole in my early S&W semi-auto pistol collection. Would anybody know of a business that can sandblast this slide, while taking care to preserve, as much as possible, the factory stampings/markings? Also, what would be the best Duracoat or Cerakote color code/name that would best “simulate” a more Matt/semi-satin “stainless steel” look? I was never a fan of the S&W factory finish used on their Gen 3 alloy pistol frames for use with their stainless steel slides. I know that modern “plastic” framed striker fired pistols are the flavor today, but being in my 60s and “grew” into firearms in the mid 1980s, I simply like pistols from from the 1980s and into the late 1990s… My other “sickness” are Ruger P-85/89 series of pistols. Where I live, there is only one truly “old school” gun shops and they know I have a thing for pre-lock S&W revolvers and semi-auto handguns, but they get a good laugh when any Ruger P-85/89 comes in for me!! Sorry for going off into the Left Field!! Again!! Thanks for all the replies and further advice to get this project moving forward!! |
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I would reach out to these folks. THey should be able to take care of your needs. CCR Refinishing |