How durable is the S&W nickel plating

1sailor · Feb 14, 2012

Will soon have the cash together to buy either a 6" model 19 or the same in a Model 66. Meantime I've been watching and keeping track of prices etc. I see quite a few model 19's in nickel. I've always steared clear of plated guns because in my mind I keep seeing the nickel peeling like cheap chrome. To be honest I haven't seen much of this (and never on a Smith) but you only have to see one to know what a nightmare it could be. So tell me, how reliable is the Smith nickel plating. Is plating something I should not even be concerned about or something I should be wary of. I should point out that the gun would be a shooter.

welldoya · Feb 14, 2012

I've got a model (pre) 10 made in 1946 that still has about 90% nickel finish left so it's held up for 66 years. I picked up a Model 15 yesterday and the nickel finish is 99%. Made in 1981 so it's finish has held up for 31 years.
I believe that nickel was favored by LEOs because of it's durability and more rust resistant than blue.

murphydog · Feb 14, 2012

Nickel finishes will wear with any abrasion, and any nicks in the finish may start the bubbling/peeling process, but with proper care it should hold up fine. If it is a concern, definitely go for the model 66.

Doc44 · Feb 14, 2012

A Model 66 has no finish and for a shooter would be best.

Bill

arfmel · Feb 14, 2012

Nickel holds up surprisingly well in my opinion. Gun cleaning products with ammonia in their formulas are to be avoided on a nickel plated gun. If the ammonia based cleaner gets in a nick or scratch,you can have trouble. I have a nickel finish Model 10 that was kept in the cabin on a boat in Florida. The finish is pretty good except under the rubber grips, where moisture was unable to dry up.

JCS&W · Feb 14, 2012

I have several nickel Smiths and find that the plating has held up just fine. However, if this is going to be your "shooter", save yourself some headaches and go with a stainless Smith. Don't get me wrong, I love nickel finishes, but scratches on a stainless Smith is no big deal. Scratches on a nickel Smith? Well, that is a different story.

1sailor · Feb 14, 2012

I agree with you guys on the stainless vs other finishes. Right now I know of a nickel plated safe queen that I might be able to get for a good price and so I thought I'd ask. Probably though, since it would be a shooter, either a model 66 or a blued model 19 with some normal wear would be best.

arjay · Feb 14, 2012

My blued guns mostly just sit and look pretty.My stainless and painted guns get shot.

chief38 · Feb 14, 2012

The only Nickel guns I have now days is a set of Colt SAA Revolvers with Stag Grips and a first year production Chief's Special that I inherited from my Dad. The Chief was his BUG for 26 years and while it has a zillion fine scratches on it, it's still presentable. He originally bought the gun in blue, but after the blue wore off (about 4 years later) he opted to have Smith Nickel it. Considering the fact that he carried it every day for 26 years, I really can't say it looks terrible, so I would say it did hold up well.

The Colts are in far better condition however they don't get shot that often, and really never carried - just fun guns.

If you intend on carrying the gun on a daily basis, Stainless is the way to go IMHO, and if you are going to shoot a lot outdoors then Blue will be the easiest to see in the sunlight.

Chief38

buckeyeshooter1 · Feb 15, 2012

in my opiniom the nickel finish wears much better than blue. I have many nickel smith and wessons over 30 years old and have yet to have any problem with the finish.

How durable is the S&W nickel plating

1sailor

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