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1986s4
02-06-2013, 02:48 PM
My S&W M13-3 has a standard blue finish. However, I have noticed for sometime that under bright light the blue finish on the barrel has purplish tinge. I am not the original owner but I am relativly sure it is not a replacement barrel. Can anyone shed some light on this irregularity?
Best,
1986s4

LSP972
02-06-2013, 02:57 PM
That is caused by variances in metal hardness (IOW, the way the steel reacts to the bluing salts), or variances in the salts themselves. This very common in P7 slides, due the extraordinarily tough steel- high nickle content- HK used in those.

You don't see it hardly at all on a S&W of that vintage, though. It may be irritating, but it is strictly cosmetic. And as long as the barrel was put on right and properly torqued- IOW, it shoots to point of aim- who cares? M-13s are working guns; one of the best of the breed of K frames.

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1986s4
02-06-2013, 07:26 PM
Thank you Sir. I thought it might be something like that. The purplish hue doesn't bother me at all while its riding AWIB. A great practical pistol.