I bought the wife a Model 642 Air weight in stainless steel. It seems that some sort of flaking is taking place on the left side above the trigger guard. I don't want to pick at it, so as not to make it worse, but it looks like paint flaking. What could this be? Does this revolver have some finish that could do this? I've never seen anything like this on a stainless weapon.
642 Airweight Finish flaking?
- Thread starter Scout
- Start date
I have the same problem with my 642...............I say problem, not really, yes it flakes but it doen't bother me. This is my pocket carry revolver, I don't plan on selling it, its smooth and reliable, I don't care if it flakes or not. It doen't affect the functioning of the revolver.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I believe S&W also warrents their finishes, so you could get it fixed for no charge if you want to call customer service & get a call ticket
Kreyzhorse
New member
It's a type of clear coat or something over the aluminum frame on the revolver. Give S&W a call if it bothers you and see what they'll do.
The frame of your 642 is not stainless steel, it's aluminum. The flaking you're seeing is the clear coat. Aluminum requires a different type of finish than steel and it typically isn't as durable. The Colt Cobra that I used to have was very lightly used, but it had very obvious holster wear in certain places (the edges of the topstrap and bottom of the trigger guard). What type of holster are you using? A poorly fitting holster will cause more rapid finish wear than a better fitting one.
Bill DeShivs
New member
The fact that S&W is using paint, as opposed to anodizing, shows just how greedy they are.
BarkSlayer
New member
Bill...what kind of finish is the matte/satin black of the model 442?
Or perhaps it shows why they can sell a J-Frame for less than a revolver that's half plastic.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_72/products_id/26498
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_76/products_id/58567
Superhouse 15
New member
I spoke with S&Ws customer service department about a customer's revolver that was flaking and was told it's related to cleaning solvents and S&W will evaluate for warranty repair on a case by case basis. I can say that none of the ones we have sent back have been refused warranty service, though.
Bill DeShivs
New member
No clue on these. New S&Ws hold no interest for me.
Silent Bob
New member
Use cleaners like Breakfree CLP or MPRO-7/Hoppe's Elite which are the safest on the clear coat finsih. Don't use Gunscrubber or other similar harsh degreasing solvents. Hoppe's #9 is okay as long as you don't soak the gun in it.
If someone has no interest in newer S&Ws, why would they even bother to post in this thread about S&W "greed" and to state their lack of interest in them. What a waste of bandwidth. I suppose they want a cookie for making their opinion known in a thread that did not call for it.
If someone has no interest in newer S&Ws, why would they even bother to post in this thread about S&W "greed" and to state their lack of interest in them. What a waste of bandwidth. I suppose they want a cookie for making their opinion known in a thread that did not call for it.