wierd discoloration on new S&W revolver trigger?

[claude...@my-dejanews.com]

I've noticed that on new S&W revolvers, the outside of the trigger
appears discolored, as if it was heat treated unevenly. This seems
to be quite widespread, as I've seen it in several shops.

In fact, the photo in the S&W literature I was just looking at
showed a beautifully polished stainless steel 686, but the trigger
was discolored!

The discoloration is like a blackened area on the side of
the trigger. The rest of the trigger is dull grey.

Any ideas on what this is? And if I try to polish it out,
will I erode the case-hardened layer of the trigger?

Thanks!

Claude

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[Brad & Sherri P.]

It's just the simple result of "heat treating" unfinished metal..

BP
claude...@my-dejanews.com wrote in message
<6p8tgp$g...@xring.cs.umd.edu>...
> ...

[Gay...@my-dejanews.com]

In article <6p8tgp$g...@xring.cs.umd.edu>,
claude...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
# I've noticed that on new S&W revolvers, the outside of the trigger
# appears discolored, as if it was heat treated unevenly. This seems
# to be quite widespread, as I've seen it in several shops.
#
# In fact, the photo in the S&W literature I was just looking at
# showed a beautifully polished stainless steel 686, but the trigger
# was discolored!
#
# The discoloration is like a blackened area on the side of
# the trigger. The rest of the trigger is dull grey.
#
# Any ideas on what this is? And if I try to polish it out,
# will I erode the case-hardened layer of the trigger?
#
# Thanks!
#
# Claude
#

Claude: I believe that discoloration is a normal result of the
case-hardening that Smith uses on the triggers. All my Smith and Wesson
revolvers show the type of discoloration that I believe you are talking
about. I believe that for a few years (for a while at least) Smith was using
stainless steel triggers which, of course, don't show this but I believe that
all of mine are like yours. Heck, I am gonna have to take a look when I get
home. Gary

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[John A. Grossbohlin]

claude...@my-dejanews.com wrote:

#I've noticed that on new S&W revolvers, the outside of the trigger
#appears discolored, as if it was heat treated unevenly. This seems
#to be quite widespread, as I've seen it in several shops.

It's color case hardening and some folks think it looks good compared
to plain blue or plain stainless... It should be noted that the color
patterns vary from gun to gun and some look better than others.

I have a 629 with color case hardened trigger and hammer and like it
just fine.

John

[Fluid]

Someone wrote:
#
# It's just the simple result of "heat treating" unfinished metal..

Well, color case hardening is hardly "simple", and is not necessary for
hardening the hammer and trigger of many S&W revolvers, but some
shooters like the looks of it, me included. Stainless triggers were
used on S&W revolvers for a time, perhaps they still are; these were
hardened by a more conventional means, then polished bright.

Jay T