Black or silver. Which is holding up better

[hdguy]

Between the silver and black finish offered on the J frame's, does one or the other seem to holding up better?

[ContinentalOp]

I can't speak to the black finish, but the silver finish on my 642 has not been holding up too well.

I've had it for about 7 months now. I've fired about 700 rounds through it as well as done a lot of dry fire practice drills. It's been my primary carry gun in an IWB holster for the past few months during some hot and humid weather.

I'd say at most 1/4 of the finish is gone from the backstrap, mostly at the bottom but also at the recoil shoulder. There's some finish gone from the left side of the frame between the grip and the cylinder release. There's also some finish gone from the front edge of the frame and trigger guard, presumably from holster wear while practicing draws.

Most of the exposed areas are just dark grey while some areas look polished.

The only maintenance I've done has been a wipe down with a patch or rag with a couple drops of CLP followed by a wipe down with a dry cloth about every week or so. I also wipe the gun down with a dry rag each day after carrying it.

Fortunately I purchased this gun as a tool and not as a collectable/display item. I knew the finish would wear from my carry/practice routines, but it would've been nice if the finish could've lasted a bit longer. I'll probably get it refinished at some point.

I've considered getting the 442 for my next J-frame, but I think the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel 642 is more important than the durability of the alloy frame's finish.

I should also add that there have been many 642 owners who haven't had problems with their guns' finishes.

[9399NOLES]

No problems for my 642 yet, then again I am only a couple weeks into it.

[Maximumbob54]

The 642/638/637 frames are all covered in a clear coating that chips, breaks down in most solvents, and is constantly complained about. The black finish on the 442 and the older 37 may scuff or scratch but is rare to be complained about.

[9399NOLES]

How much does a GOOD refinish job run? Is it possible to go black?

[Dragon88]

I've carried my 642 no lock, purchased new, for a year now. It looks just as good as the day I got it. However, I have seen used 642s in shops with bad chipping on the rear of the frame. If it really concerns you, get the 442 and wipe it down at the end of each day, especially during the summer months when it may get sweat on it.

[1jimmy]

on my 638 and 60ls the finish is holding up great, however they are two different finishes according to smith, one is matte silver and the other is matte stainless. you can see the color difference in there catalog. on the black if you mean the actual matte black finish thats a totally different story all you have to do is look at it the wrong way and it chips or flakes. i have a 351pd and a 327 night guard both matte black and it is just a terrible finish for a gun

[hdguy]

It almost sounds as though both finishes can fail early then. I know my blued firearms last until it wears through. never owned a gun before where the finish flaked off. Although I've got a 1901 model 94 winchester that doesn't have a whole lot of finish left.

[Mule88]

Have a 642 I ve carried daily for a couple of years now and its holding up very well. No problems......yet.

[batmann]

Mine is from the early 90s and the silver finish has chipped in a couple of places, but it is carried everyday. Considering that it is a carry piece, I can 'live' (pun intented) with it.

[Martya]

My clear coat is chipped off in a few small spots from holster wear, and where my thumb rests under the cylinder release. Overall it is not too bad for a year old constant companion. I think some are used to seeing some bluing normally worn off in spots on revolvers, so seeing a clear coat peel in small spots is perhaps more noticeable.

My 642 us currently awaiting inspection at S&W for another problem, we'll see if they do anything with the clear coat while they have it.