I just picked up a NIB 642-1. It has a date on the cartridge envelope of 7/10/2012. I liked the dark finish of the 442 better, but I preferred the stainless cylinder and barrel of the 642. I've read a number of posts complaining that the silver finish on the 642 isn't very durable and is quite prone to rubbing off from holster wear. My question is has anyone had one of the finishes like Cerakote or Duracoat or some other black finish done to a revolver like this one?

Just keep a good coat of wax on the frame. The wax layer must wear through before the finish can wear. Has worked for me for years.

My personal opinion is that on a carry gun, wear isn't a big deal.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Carry mine all day' every day' .. still looks darn near new.
Been thinkin' bout takin some sand paper to her just so
I's don't look like such a flat lander.

~ Joe

The prime consideration for a carry gun is completely reliable function. minor holster wear on the finish should not even be a consideration.

I've been carrying my 642 frequently (not EVERY day but NEARLY every day) for two or three years and it, so far, has shown little or no wear.

Dale53

I've carried one for about a year and a half now in a leather pocket holster and the finish still looks like new. Ive had blue guns show edge wear from the same duty the little 642 has been subjected to. A favorite gun I might add. Wiping it down with renaissance wax as suggested above sounds like a real good idea.

I have had finish problems but I now know a little more about it. In my case only one side is coming off ( left when looking at the gun as if to fire it). this is clearly a problem caused at the factory. Something inhibited the coating from bonding as I can scrape it off with my thumb nail. I haven't sent it in to S+W because of the time it takes to get it back and as other posters have said it is for defensive use not for show. I like to keep my guns looking good but the reason I got this gun was FUNCTION. It won't function well for me if I don't have it with me. As I have stated elswhere I'm going to put some Duracoat clear on it but for now its doing what its supposed to - concealed and ready for use. Although not having it available for a time is a good reason to get another....

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MCRGO member

Why would you want to pay for a new finish on your revolver when the finish it has is fine? Cerakote and Duracoat will only devalue your revolver.

It is like the trigger spring kit crowd, who want to replace perfectly good factory springs with lighter springs, and then they wonder why they have failures to fire.

Carry your 642 for 10+ years in a good quality pocket holster, and if the finish wears much, your revolver will have character. And, only then will you need to ask S&W to refinish it.

Have you seen General Patton's Registered Magnum? He didn't worry about finish and he had the most fragile of all - bright blue. And he actually used it in a war. Your finish will be fine unless you have "perspiration hands" or acid skin and only then if you don't wipe the exterior down with an oily rag.

Buy ammo and practice.