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07-26-2020, 06:55 PM
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Nickel issues
Nickel has starting flaking. Happened the last time I shot it. It's a model 29-3. It was factory nickeled, it has the N stamps. Not sure if it's the original finish or a refinish. I've only owned it about a year.
Any way to keep it from getting worse?
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07-26-2020, 08:57 PM
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It's close to the cylinder gap. I wonder if hot gases and abrasion from unburned powder could have started this flaking of the Nichol?
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07-26-2020, 09:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldSparky
Any way to keep it from getting worse?
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Nope, other than never shoot it again. Is there an "N" stamped on the rear face of the cylinder?
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07-26-2020, 09:28 PM
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I'd be screaming at someone ... Probably S&W but that's just me.
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07-26-2020, 09:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dougaz
I'd be screaming at someone ... Probably S&W but that's just me.
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Why?
The gun is nearly 40 years old, and the OP is not the first owner. What in the world would S&W have to do with anything? There is no warranty on a used gun.
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07-26-2020, 09:51 PM
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I've had plenty of S&W nickel revolvers and still have a few that are more than thirty or forty years old. Mine have always been cleaned with Hoppe's #9. I've never seen the finish fail like in the photo, but I suppose a flaw is possible - or maybe abuse or rough handling of some sort.
Last edited by rockquarry; 07-27-2020 at 08:05 AM.
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07-27-2020, 06:41 AM
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The 29-3 was produced during a period in time when quality control was at a low point. There might have been an issue during the plating process, resulting in the finish flaking. I suppose it might also be that some pretty hot reloads were fired through this revolver and the hot gasses damaged the nickle finish. Aggressive cleaning agents could be another source of damage. Seeing as how this is an old revolver and the OP is not the first owner, we really don't know.
S&W is not likely to cover this as a warranty issue due to the age of the revolver and the current owner is not the original owner. It's either learn to live with it or send it somewhere for refinishing, which is expensive.
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07-27-2020, 09:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dougaz
I'd be screaming at someone ... Probably S&W but that's just me.
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Being Southern born and raised My Mom had a rule ... " Be Nice"
I discovered a long time ago that if you were nice to others they were much more willing to help you than if you screamed at them . You would be amazed at what I can get by just being nice to someone , it's very easy..don't scream be nice .
Gary
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07-27-2020, 09:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Demond
There is no warranty on a used gun.
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Hmm, maybe stated, but I have had them repair several guns I bought used with out question.
Rosewood
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07-27-2020, 09:43 AM
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I would at least call S&W and ask them. They can tell you to pound sand, or they might say "send it in and we will take a look at it". They usually pay shipping both ways. Doesn't hurt to call.
Rosewood
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07-27-2020, 09:44 AM
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It doesn't hurt to call. No need to be a jerk and scream though.
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07-27-2020, 10:20 AM
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Yeah I'll call them and see what they say. I'm pretty sure it's the factory finish since the hammer and trigger aren't nickeled which is usually the first indication it was a refinish job
I have a model 27 no dash that is factory nickeled and it's still in excellent condition. Maybe this one was just a fluke
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07-27-2020, 10:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpercle
Being Southern born and raised My Mom had a rule ... " Be Nice"
I discovered a long time ago that if you were nice to others they were much more willing to help you than if you screamed at them . You would be amazed at what I can get by just being nice to someone , it's very easy..don't scream be nice .
Gary
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Absolutely, start out by saying "I need your help".
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07-27-2020, 07:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosewood
I would at least call S&W and ask them. They can tell you to pound sand, or they might say "send it in and we will take a look at it". They usually pay shipping both ways. Doesn't hurt to call.
Rosewood
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Call and Be Nice .
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07-27-2020, 07:09 PM
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I'm not sure they even nickel any more??? they may not be able to help that revolver, if they wanted to...I'd still call
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07-27-2020, 07:25 PM
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I have that same flaking with one I have......okay, it's an Iver Johnson top break from 1895! Totally different nickeling process, and much older.
Seriously, I'd have to agree that the flaking is caused by something that occurred during the finishing process at the factory . I own a 29-2 I bought used and it was used a lot and kind of abused. It has some dings and dents in some places where the nickel has chipped away, but not flaking like yours. Give S&W a call and see what they say. Couldn't hurt.
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07-27-2020, 09:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosewood
Hmm, maybe stated, but I have had them repair several guns I bought used with out question.
Rosewood
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I have as well, and one was clearly marked Detroit Police on the back strap.
The last gun I sent off for repair, was a model 27 of the same vintage as the OP's 29. Original owner and all, and still paid for the repair. That one run about 150 bucks.
It doesn't hurt to call and ask them for help. They have never asked me if I was the original owner for anything I have had them fix, but none of them included finish issues.
I suspect that S&W would have to send the gun out to be refinished elsewhere.
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07-28-2020, 07:57 AM
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TO FORDS FOR REFINISH. 6 MONTH TURN TIME.
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07-28-2020, 08:48 AM
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My 1st and only nickel gun was BEAUTIFUL! 29-2. It did not function anything like it looked! The cylinder kept binding when shooting. It went to the gun smith on 2 different occasions. No progress made. Gone now. BOO-HOO! Bob
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07-29-2020, 06:51 AM
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If you are going to the trouble and expense of refinishing, consider hard chrome or NP3. More expensive than S&W's nickel refinish, but far more durable.
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07-29-2020, 11:42 AM
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I can tell you what I'd do if it were mine.
1) Call S&W and ask if they will fix it under warranty.
2) If not, I'd use a felt polishing wheel on my Foredom Tool at a lower speed and high polish the affected area with Flitz Polish. I have had GREAT success in making chipped or peeled Nickel look like the gun was brand new and never damaged. At this point if S&W will not repair free of charge you have nothing to loose. More than likely IF the damages was caused from hot loads and the flame cutting, the area might now be stabilized and not peel any further. By giving the chipped area a high polish there would be no more Nickel tp peel again and could be a permanent repair.
I've had incredible success making unavailable new blued screws and Thumb-latches looking like Nickel for use on Nickeled Smiths. When high polished with Flitz, almost no one would be able to tell and the high polish keeps the piece rust free even though it is really bare metal. The edges where the bare metal meets the Nickel must be "feathered in" on lower speeds. Use light pressure, check often before gong further. Works like a charm!
Feel free to PM me if you want to try this.
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07-29-2020, 09:39 PM
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Simi chrome polish has more polishing compound, I’d use it first. Then fritz last.
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07-31-2020, 01:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBill
Simi chrome polish has more polishing compound, I’d use it first. Then fritz last.
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Don’t they copper plate before they nickel it?
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08-01-2020, 07:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBill
Don’t they copper plate before they nickel it?
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S&W does not, as for other gun manufacturers and refinishers, that's a different story.
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08-01-2020, 08:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBill
Don’t they copper plate before they nickel it?
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No, but Colt did. Once had a Nickel plated Python. Holster wear on the muzzle showed a layer of copper.
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08-01-2020, 08:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arquebus357
No, but Colt did. Once had a Nickel plated Python. Holster wear on the muzzle showed a layer of copper.
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Seems to me that the polished "Bright Nickel" Colt finish had a base layer of copper. Not certain about the satin "Coltguard" finish, that might have been nickel directly to steel.
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08-01-2020, 05:24 PM
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Stop using Hoppes#9, it desolves the copper plating under the nickel. Sid V
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08-03-2020, 08:30 AM
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I thought Nickel was what you coated metal with before gold plating etc. At least that is what my Caswell gold plating kit said you needed for a base. Don't recall anything in their various plating systems requiring the use of copper.
Rosewood
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