Sorry for the newbie question.

What are the pro's and con's of stainless steel vs nickle? and vice versa?

I have a SS model 65-5 and my buddy has a nickle model 19-4 and we both did not know?

Nickel shouldn't scratch as easy as SS, but in the long term will wear and need to be plated again.

I have nickel Smiths from the early seventies that have been carried and shot alot. NONE....have worn through and NONE need replating. Personally I prefer nickel to stainless. However you can only get it from Smith in the classic series now.

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S&W Accumulator

Gen George Patton sumed mit up. " Are those Ivory or Pearl. His rely " Only a New Orleanes Pimp would carry pearl" Go for the Nickel

Using guns are subject to daily dings, nicks, scratches, and scuffs. Eventually, a much-used or carried gun will accumulate scores of such marks.

A nickel plated finish once penetrated or compromised with surface damage, leaves open the likelyhood or rusting under the finish, and eventually peeling or flaking. You see this on neglected antique guns a lot.

A stainless gun, on the other hand, has no "finish" other than the final polish. Any surface scuffs or scratches can easily be removed by polishing or sanding down using fine wet-or-dry sandpaper. Refinishing by buffing, beadblasting, or hand polishing will make the entire gun look new again.

Thank guys. Very good info. My buddies nickle model 19 looks horrible from neglect. He is pretty much screwed if the finish is flaking correct? I couldnt believe he let a beautiful gun sit dirty and un-oiled for so long.

Nickel Smiths look great...until they are used and neglected. For a safe queen, sure. For using, blue or stainless for me.

Just my $0.02.

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Stu

I've heard from others that the current production nickle revolvers in the "Classics" line have the nicest finishes S&W has produced in years. I would imagine that as long as it is taken care of, a new nickle revolver should last a lifetime, at least.

I like nickle and stainless, each will wear good unless you tie it to a rope and drag it for a few miles. Plus I like shinny guns, I like people to see that big black hole waiting to give them a KISS . It is like when I was a Cop I took the shot gun with me all the time, walk into a bar with a fight going on and work the action of the shot gun, and they all stop to look at you, worked every time . What do you like best is the Question?????
Here is the finish on a new model nickle, what do you think?

nickel is pretty, but keeping it pretty is work. It just doesnt lend itself to constant use. If you like your gun shiny, you can polish stainless steel to a high polish without the negatives of a plating.

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Joshua Brown(Town)

That nickle is SEXY!

I live in the deep HUMID South, stainless is best for me. I do like the looks of nickle, but all my guns are stainless.

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

i have a nickle plated 32 cal.that is 115 years old...the finish is flawless

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Make up your minds guys, is it "nickel" or "nickle"?

Id take SS over nickle anytime, much more durable and forgiving than nickle.

Here is a nickle that is working on 100 years old.

One nickle is the five-cent piece.

The other nickel is the metal that is plated.

I've been told not to use amonia based bore solvent on nickle-plated guns. Before the nickle is applied, a copper strike plate is put on the surface, kinda like a primer because nickle won't adhere directly to steel. Any opening in the surface would allow the solvent do dissolve the copper and peel the nickle. Whaddaya supposed to use? I don't know. I'll use straight Break-Free on my p&r Model 29's until I'm advised of something better.

Electroless nickle has no copper strike plate and use of regular solvent is ok. But the finish is a yellowish dull tint. I have a Colt Custom Combat 10mm in Electroless nickle and I love the texture.

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9tenz