glass bead size question

[AreWeNotMen?]

I recently touched-up the appearance of my S&W Mod 66-4 with 3M pads. It turned out okay (better than it was), but I'm now pondering glass-bead blasting it. From all I've read, "Brownells #270+" is the glass bead to use. Rather than spending $85 plus shipping (50lbs), I'm looking locally here in Sacramento as to what's available. I've found two industrial suppliers that sell over-the-counter retail. Prices here for glass bead run around $40 to $56/50lbs, but they don't have the same "#270+". What I can get locally is either "#170 and Finer" which is .0035 in. and Finer, or "#325 and Finer" which is .0017 in. and Finer.

Any of you fine folks tried similar sized beads and how did it turn out?

Thanks.

[ar15barrels]

I'm now pondering glass-bead blasting it. From all I've read, "Brownells #270+" is the glass bead to use. Rather than spending $85 plus shipping (50lbs), I'm looking locally here in Sacramento as to what's available. I've found two industrial suppliers that sell over-the-counter retail. Prices here for glass bead run around $40 to $56/50lbs, but they don't have the same "#270+". What I can get locally is either "#170 and Finer" which is .0035 in. and Finer, or "#325 and Finer" which is .0017 in. and Finer.

Either of those will be fine.
You have to do the whole gun to get it to all match as bead size, blast pressure and user technique will all effect the look that you achieve.
Since you are doing the whole gun, you don't have to worry about matching the old look as you will create your own whole new look.

[AreWeNotMen?]

Excellent - thank you.

[AreWeNotMen?]

So I go to "The Grit Guy" (Temple Associates, Sacramento) the other day to get a sack of glass and it turns out that do have "270+" like the Brownells product. Probably the same stuff, different packaging (and price - I paid $55/50 lbs). For those interested, it says "Potters Ballotini" on the sack and the grit designation of "AI" (.0021 and Finer).

I went to Harbor Freight yesterday and got their "small" blast cabinet for $95 ($119 - 20%, oh, and a free magnetic LED flashlight for inside!). Seems surprisingly well made. So in the next day or two - sometime between AM coffee and PM IPA I'll disassemble the 66 again, mask the areas needing masking, and give it go. I will take before and after pics.