Mother's Mag Polish applied with finger pressure only and buffing with a clean cloth and a application of Rennisanse Wax.I do not use any ammonia based cleaners.I am awaiting someone from Smith to tell me what caused the failure.The consensus here believes the barrel was overtourqued @ the factory upon initial assembly.The customer service rep tried to blame the ammo when he never saw the pristine nature of the ejected barrel.I told him S+B is factory 158 grain 38 Special Ammo.That being said if the round was higher than SAMMI standards the gun is a 357 Magnum which generates higher pressures and higher muzzle velocities routinely and this gun never saw a 357 round in its 800 round or so lifetime.I bought a 357 Mag in the event I ever got a out of spec 38 special round.We shall wait and see.....Mike