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December 25, 2014
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I've been reading through some of the more recent posts where a couple members have purchased "Barney" frame colored revolvers. I am curious as to how a poll on this subject would turn out. Some of the forums I belong to let you post a poll. I don't see how to do that here. I'd like to try in this thread if possible for anyone who would be interested in offering their preference.
The criteria required would be two identical revolvers (such as a 6" vent/heavy). One frame being "Normal" blue the other being "Barney" purple. They are the same price.
Which would you buy?
Me? I would buy the normal blue one.
Lets Go PENs!!!
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DWF Supporters
May 11, 2011
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I would buy the stainless one, whoops that's not a choice. I would in this case pick the regular blue color one. If only the Barney was available, and it was something I needed to fill an empty spot I would not pass up because it was Barney color.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Exactly what Willy said for me as well.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
DWF Supporters
December 21, 2016
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just curious. if a barney is reblued and it came out blue, in time, would it go purple again? i believe it would because of its metallurgy.
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DWF Supporters
June 11, 2016
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I would never buy a Barney.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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Barney guns sometimes turn purple again after a reblue. Silica in the molds is sais to raise the silica content of the metal and reacts with the nite salts in certain blues to cause purple over time.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
February 16, 2016
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DA....63 said
I would never buy a Barney.
I'd love to have an entire Barney revolver ! 
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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DPNM1A said
I've been reading through some of the more recent posts where a couple members have purchased "Barney" frame colored revolvers. I am curious as to how a poll on this subject would turn out. Some of the forums I belong to let you post a poll. I don't see how to do that here. I'd like to try in this thread if possible for anyone who would be interested in offering their preference.The criteria required would be two identical revolvers (such as a 6" vent/heavy). One frame being "Normal" blue the other being "Barney" purple. They are the same price.
Which would you buy?
Me? I would buy the normal blue one.
Starting a Poll is an Admin Function, but having this discussion is fine.
My uneducated guess is that eventually a re-blued gun would "Barney" again. The"Barneying" occurred on these guns over many years, if you don't change the steel it will probably happen again. Your best answer on something like this would come from a professional like Fords
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
February 16, 2016
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I saw this on the S&W forum ...
John Traveler said:
Hot tank bluing in nitrate salts is a controlled rusting process where the desired dark blue/black color is achieved by carefully controlled temperatures and solution concentrations. If the operator deviates even slightly from these controlled temperatures and solution concentrations, the result is plum or reddish color that can change as it ages. Bluing solutions wear out or get contaminated when used. Contamination occurs from drippings from rinse and cleaning baths. Improper temperature maintenance can leave the black oxide layer porous and subject to further microrusting as it ages, with resulting color changes. Worn out solutions come from failure to carefully monitor solution chemistry or rushed production where the bluing bath is pushed beyond normal use.
Since S&W (and other manufacturers) do batch bluing of parts, not complete guns, there will be the occasional mis-match of blued parts. Usually not enough to cause inspection rejection or make customers howl, but enough to notice.
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DWF Supporters
February 4, 2017
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Barneys are homelier than Barney was... 
"LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO SPEND IT WITH AN UGLY GUN!" - John Taffin
January 11, 2017
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At least there isn't green on our Barneys and they sing a lot better, too! I have a Barney frame/Blue barrel 44 and a beautifully blued 15-2 with no Barney. I like both; Barney doesn't bother me!
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Stinger said
I saw this on the S&W forum ...John Traveler said:
Hot tank bluing in nitrate salts is a controlled rusting process where the desired dark blue/black color is achieved by carefully controlled temperatures and solution concentrations. If the operator deviates even slightly from these controlled temperatures and solution concentrations, the result is plum or reddish color that can change as it ages. Bluing solutions wear out or get contaminated when used. Contamination occurs from drippings from rinse and cleaning baths. Improper temperature maintenance can leave the black oxide layer porous and subject to further microrusting as it ages, with resulting color changes. Worn out solutions come from failure to carefully monitor solution chemistry or rushed production where the bluing bath is pushed beyond normal use.
Since S&W (and other manufacturers) do batch bluing of parts, not complete guns, there will be the occasional mis-match of blued parts. Usually not enough to cause inspection rejection or make customers howl, but enough to notice.
This is the best description of "Barney" I've ever seen, and a great example of how our diligent Members research and share information.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
October 1, 2012
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I prefer the deep blue to a barney. Rugers seem to Barney even more than DWs. Some SW too.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Depends- I have a 41 Maggie that's very black, but then came the opportunity to purchase a 'C' prefix 41 that was turning plumb. I didn't hesitate to buy it at about the same price as the previous purchase. So, my answer; buy them both.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I like no Barney but if a gun is in great condition it is not critical. Just my preference. Actually almost all frames have some degree of Barney. If viewed in sunlight the difference is apparent. I draw the line at the mottled pink ones.
June 10, 2014
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I would really have to want the gun to buy a Barney .
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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I can't do "Barney" , most of the .32 mag Field Packs are Barney and as much as I would like one I just can't buy one.
December 25, 2014
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So it seems the general consensus is most would not buy one because it was Barney colored but would buy it if the gun was something that they wanted to add to their collection in spite of the color. I would have to agree. It would have to be unique in another way for me to want to buy one.
Thank you to all who gave their opinion. And to anyone else who would want to post their opinion please do.
Lets Go PENs!!!
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Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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I would not buy a Barney gun if the choice was a nice Blue model, but do want to say that my most accurate DW revolver to date and the best trigger reside in my very first VERY Barney 357 Supermag. I only paid $500.00 for it and it is a range favorite because you can't beat its accuracy and trigger. For what its worth, that revolver won't leave my collection.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
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