I got my 686 out for some cleaning and some new pictures and noticed some black spots on it so, I began the cleaning on it. It turns out that these spots are tarnish and after buffing them out there are some neat little pitting spots under the trigger guard. There are a few more small tarnish spots next to the back sight and under the grip which I am sure will result in more pitting. I know if I box this up and send it back to S&W they will take care of it but has anybody else ever had this problem? I take good care of my guns and have no idea what caused this. Any suggestions?
Yes this is normal unfortunately. It's the SS they use to make these guns and the only way I have found to help keep this from happening is renaissance wax But doesn't cure it.
They said to send it in for an examination of course.
I don't know what they can do for it though. Buff it out, glass bead the finish?
I don't know if it is even worth the trouble.
I am just afraid that if it is a problem with the metal and it is prone to rusting then it will not stop.
Worse of all they could want to keep my clean no lock and want to give me one with a HILLARY HOLE......NOT THE HILLARY HOLE!!!!
I S&W can do anything about it, I'd take them up on fixing it because, like you said, it looks like the pitting will probably continue. I know the SS they use to make guns isn't the most corrosion resistant grade, but I wonder what made this one corrode and pit???? Does sweat/oil from hands do it?