Cleaning Brushed Nickel 32 Long

[The Rattler]

I inherited an old S&W 32 Long, but the nickel plating was so seriously degraded, I had it re-finished with brushed nickel at the suggestion of the re-finisher. I did not know what brushed nickel was.

I recently shot the revolver and it performed quite well. I started cleaning the gun, & after swabbing the cylinder holes & bore with Hoppe's #9, I read on the bottle to not soak nickel plating with Hoppe's #9. I cleaned the gun quickly. Have I done irreparable harm?

There are several debates on the subject in various forums & "how to" type sites. Some say it is ok to use Hoppe's while most say not to.

While there is discussion on what not to do, my main interest is what to do? What is the best way to clean & maintain a brushed nickel handgun? I have read that brushed nickel is sensitive. If so, what methods & solvents should be used in the cleaning process? Should I not clean it after every use?

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Hondo44]

No worries, you haven't done any damage. It's the ammonia in #9 that attacks the copper plating under the nickel, but not all nickel plating is plated with copper 1st. Check with whoever did the refinish. But there needs to be access for the #9 like a crack or chip in the plating to get at the copper, if there is any. I don't think the new #9 is even a problem anymore.

If concerned about #9, just use any other product on the market like Kroil, MPro-7, Breakfree, etc., there's many good products on the market. Just use normal cleaning practices and you'll have nothing to worry about.

 

[Simmer down]

Let's see a pic of that old boy.

 

[shouldazagged]

What he said. I'd like to see what brushed nickel looks like on that beauty.

 

[The Rattler]

Brushed Nickel

Thanks for the advice. Pics will have to wait until tomorrow.

 

[The Rattler]

Pic of Brushed Nickel 32 S&W Long

For those interested in a picture of my brush nickel re-finished 32 Long S&W, here it is.



It was shipped by the factory 1910 - 1912.

It was in such bad shape the re-finisher said it was pitted too much to use the standard nickel plating. He said, that the written information would be preserved, but the patent information is not on it anymore.

I know this greatly reduces the value because it is not in its original condition. Nevertheless, the finish was so seriously degraded, my choices were brushed nickel or throw it away. I chose brushed nickel and am glad I did so.

Since it is a family gun, we will simply hand it down to a later generation family members. I, at least, will not sell it.