I just joined the forum,not good at typing but will get by. I wsnt to say Hello, hope to get a little info and talk a little about guns and shooting. I'l start by asking , I have a 642-2 I carry a lot I summer and I've been geting corrosion on frame and other areas, I clean often, well I guess not enough right. Does anyone else have this.

Welcome to the S&W Forum, Mike, a wealth of knowledge is available here. Regarding the 642, is it actual metal corrosion or just degrading of the finish? The 642 finish is a type of coating with a clearcoat and has a reputation for chipping/peeling in use. If it is merely finish damage try not to use any ammonia containing solvent like Hoppe's #9 as it sometimes damages that finish. I reccommend Break-Free CLP or other similar products for cleaning. Might also help to give the outside of the gun a good paste wax occasionally and further damage should be minimized. Don't worry to much about it, it is after all, a carry gun not a showpiece and in this case function trumps form.

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S&W Armorer
Lost in the 50s

The 642 is made of aluminum and stainless steel. Not likely you're seeing actual metal corrosion. The clearcoat finish is easily damaged and that's likely what you're seeing. My #2 daily 642 has a lot of that but it doesn't have any effect on the function of the gun so I don't worry about it.

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Centennial Every Day

On my new 642 I'm using Carnuba Paste Wax......

The "Gold Standard" for gun wax is Renaissance Wax. It is used by museum's for optimum care of valuable metal items.

It is available from a good wood shop like Woodcraft. It is a bit pricey but it goes a LONG way. It is GOOD stuff...

Buy Renaissance Wax at Woodcraft.com

Dale53

Thanks, I didn't think it would hurt the operation, just the looks. It probably is metal damage due to corrosion, I did use a ammonia based product to clean with, a few places show on alluminum, like I've seen on other alluminum castings. I'll use your advice, thanks, Mike22-4

Thanks for the advice, I don't have but this one alluminum frame revolver, I'll use this. Mike22-4

Thanks I'll do this to keep it lookinl better.Mike22-4

Sence you are a armorer, I just got a model22 with 4"barrol, Iwould like to replace front sight with a high visability one, thay ask about height in catalogs, .250 or .300, which one? thanks Mike22-4

I'm confused about how to reply, so here goes Thanks for the tip, I tryed to reply to each one might be to many, Thanks to all. I seen BertMan is a armorer,I tryed to ask a question don' know if done right. I'll try this way. What height of a replacement sight with high visabilty do tou order for a Model 22-4 w/pinned front sight, thay ask .250 or .300.

Sence you are a armorer, I just got a model22 with 4"barrol, Iwould like to replace front sight with a high visability one, thay ask about height in catalogs, .250 or .300, which one? thanks Mike22-4

Would the Reniassance wax have any benefit on a blued gun?

I have the same problem with the finish degrading off my 642-2 frame. The stainless steel parts are fine.

my 642 was carried daily for about 5 years in a pocket holster, the finish is worn off the frame in spots to bare metal, and the clear coat can be scratched off with a finger nail now. I am tempted to complain and let S&W refinnish it, but on the other hand no one sees it except me, and it shoots very well. I removed the lock so, I will probably just leave it as is.

I used Flitz on all stainless parts .It polishes very nice.Mirror like finish. I have OCD all my guns are clean .After a few times with flitz I used a little car wax on the stainless only.You don't want it to be slippery .

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