Rust Protection Removal fron New S&W 66-8

[Kasian]

Got new S&W 66-8 4.25", held it in my hand in FFL but do not own yet. Awaiting adding this revolver to my license, takes few weeks (NYC, you know...). Gun appears dull and unattractive due to factory rust protector . What's the best and safest way to remove it ? I read in some discussion on Simple Green, SMP13012, Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser and ordered it. Please, advise.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums. I have not bought a new firearm in about two decades, but the Model 66 is stainless, so you don't have to worry about a solvent changing its color. Remove the stocks and use whatever solvent you prefer. I doubt that whatever S&W puts on their new firearms is going to be too difficult to remove.

 

[Pisgah]

I hope you understand that the 66 does not have a shiny finish; instead, it is a muted "satin" or "matte" finish. Being stainless steel, it needs very little to stay rust free, just an occasional wipe-down with a lightly-oiled rag will do.

 

[gwpercle]

No soap and water ... use a gun cleaning solvent such as Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner ... the Elite cleaner is safe for all finishes and plastic .
It comes a spray bottle and even has a pleasant smell "Scent Free" is on the bottle ... This is NOT the old Hoppe's #9 but is called "Elite Gun Cleaner" and it does a great job of cleaning ... barrel , chambers and exterior ... Good Stuff !
They also make an "Elite Gun Oil" that is "Low Odor" ... it smells good too ... My wife likes both ... she has a nose that a blood hound would envy ... and can smell Hoppe's #9 a mile away .
Gary

 

[Kasian]

Thank you all for advices to a revolver rookie. Ordered Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner, so far I had Gun Wipes SLIP 2000 which I used on Walther PP .32 first time recently.
After some search found a nearby range allowing .357, not every one does in the city...

 

[Alk8944]

The only "rust prevention" I have ever seen on a S&W revolver is the VPI/VCI paper that the gun is wrapped in. Why do you believe there is any sort of coating on a stainless steel revolver?

 

[Kasian]

The only "rust prevention" I have ever seen on a S&W revolver is the VPI/VCI paper that the gun is wrapped in. Why do you believe there is any sort of coating on a stainless steel revolver?

I had just a brief look at 66-8 and I read about coating it in some discussion board, possibly Reddit.

So, just wipe with dry cloth and possibly rub with a touch of FLITZ ?

 

[SWFan27]

My 66-8 has matte stainless finish. Flitz will help remove burn marks on the cylinder but will not change the stock finish. My 66-8 will never have the shiny look of m 686+ or my 617, but it was never intended to. Love them all. I am just about to get a new blued Model 19 Classic Lord willing. It is the same revolver as my 66 but different finish and stocks. I am sure the OP will love his 66-8.

There is not any sort of coating that I am aware of. Stainless matte factory finish. This is the revolver that got me started down the revolver rabbit hole. You can't have just one.

 

[Kasian]

My 66-8 has matte stainless finish. Flitz will help remove burn marks on the cylinder but will not change the stock finish. My 66-8 will never have the shiny look of m 686+ or my 617, but it was never intended to. Love them all. I am just about to get a new blued Model 19 Classic Lord willing. It is the same revolver as my 66 but different finish and stocks. I am sure the OP will love his 66-8.

There is not any sort of coating that I am aware of. Stainless matte factory finish. This is the revolver that got me started down the revolver rabbit hole. You can't have just one.

I have pictures I submit to NYPD before I get ownership. That's how it looks, I changed some brightness from original pic. Well, now it looks better than I noticed in a dark small FFL room.

And I am looking for carry revolver for Mrs. Kasian, you were right ! Walter PP .32 sounds more like collector's item.

 

[Alk8944]

I had just a brief look at 66-8 and I read about coating it in some discussion board, possibly Reddit.

So, just wipe with dry cloth and possibly rub with a touch of FLITZ ?

Saw it somewhere?? That has no evidentiary value! On Reddit, possibly the same poster as here??

Unless you desire to polish your revolver keep the Flitz away from it. Simply wipe it with an oiled cloth. There is nothing to remove.

 

[Kasian]

Thanks ! I do not even have FLITZ and do not intend to polish.

 

[SWFan27]

I have pictures I submit to NYPD before I get ownership. That's how it looks, I changed some brightness from original pic. Well, now it looks better than I noticed in a dark small FFL room.

And I am looking for carry revolver for Mrs. Kasian, you were right ! Walter PP .32 sounds more like collector's item.

I have the same revolver, with the exact same finish. I think the matte finish may grow on you. Mine has the 4.25 inch barrel also. I am sure you and your wife will be extremely pleased with the new 66. It is an awesome revolver. And as I said previously, it is very likely to cause you to purchase more revolvers. They are addictive.

 

[SWFan27]

Thanks ! I do not even have FLITZ and do not intend to polish.

A little Flitz on a soft toothbrush will get rid of the black carbon marks on the cylinder and won't hurt the finish. But a lead removal cloth will work just as well if not better. I bought a lead removal cloth awhile back and that is what I have been using recently. I give the stainless cylinders a good wipe down with it when I get back from the range.

Other than that, I use some Balistol and Hoppes #9 gun oil when I clean them. I can get my stainless revolvers looking brand new. Or at least looking pretty darn close to new.

 

[smoothshooter]

Put a little Hoppe's #9 (every shooter should have some anyway) on a rag and wipe it down.
Then don't worry about ir.

 

[smoothshooter]

No soap and water ... use a gun cleaning solvent such as Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner ... the Elite cleaner is safe for all finishes and plastic .
It comes a spray bottle and even has a pleasant smell "Scent Free" is on the bottle ... This is NOT the old Hoppe's #9 but is called "Elite Gun Cleaner" and it does a great job of cleaning ... barrel , chambers and exterior ... Good Stuff !
They also make an "Elite Gun Oil" that is "Low Odor" ... it smells good too ... My wife likes both ... she has a nose that a blood hound would envy ... and can smell Hoppe's #9 a mile away .
Gary

I think most women are born with a prenatal aversion to the smell of Hoppes's #9.
I only use two things on smokeless guns: Break-Free CLP and Hoppe's #9. Have not felt the need for anything else in over 55 years.

 

[Kasian]

I got Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner from Amazon today. Just tried to sniff it - light rubberish smell maybe, not disturbing. Mrs. is sleeping already.
I have Birchwood Casey Lead Remover & Polishing Cloth.
Does JHP or HP bullets shooting leave significantly more residual lead ?

 

[SWFan27]

I got Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner from Amazon today. Just tried to sniff it - light rubberish smell maybe, not disturbing. Mrs. is sleeping already.
I have Birchwood Casey Lead Remover & Polishing Cloth.
Does JHP or HP bullets shooting leave significantly more residual lead ?

They will all leave some residue mostly on the cylinder and 38spl seam to actually leave a little more, at least to me they seem to. The outside of the cylinder will wipe off easily with the cloth. Some of your gun cleaner and a soft toothbrush or cleaning kit brush will get the stainless on the exterior, top strap and everywhere else clean.

Be sure to clean all the grit off the extractor rod and ratchets of the cylinder and run some cleaning patches through the charging holes. And I am sure that you already know to be EXTREMELY careful when pushing a bore brush into the front of the barrel to prevent damage to the crown. That can affect accuracy. Just be careful that the edge of the brass cleaning rod where the brush screws on does not whack the edge of the end of the barrel as it goes in. Don't go ramming it in. And a couple pass throughs with the brush should be enough.

After that use some cleaning patches with the rod, while also being careful. I have shot many thousands of rounds through my 66-8 since I got it new in 2020. It is probably my favorite firearm because it was my first revolver. I love all my firearms. But wheel guns have a special place in my heart.

 

[Pisgah]

If you want a hot mess, go at it with Flitz or any other polish. That nice, even matte finish will look awful from then on. For the front of the cylinder either get used to the stain or use a non-abrasive carbon solvent.

 

[Kasian]

I got it and ready for any punishment !

 

[smoothshooter]

I got Hoppe's Elite Gun Cleaner from Amazon today. Just tried to sniff it - light rubberish smell maybe, not disturbing. Mrs. is sleeping already.
I have Birchwood Casey Lead Remover & Polishing Cloth.
Does JHP or HP bullets shooting leave significantly more residual lead ?

Jacketed bullets shouldn't leave enough residue to worry about.
Some people obsess over getting every trace of jacket fouling out of the bore after shooting by scrubbing and scrubbing.
A little copper streaking in the bore doesn't hurt a thing.