December 25, 2014
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.
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December 4, 2011
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December 4, 2011
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.
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March 2, 2008
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
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February 16, 2016
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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March 2, 2008
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.
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February 22, 2009
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.
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December 25, 2014
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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February 9, 2009
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.
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A man cannot have too many SuperMags
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