Ed's Red for Nickel?

[mod34]

I recently purchased a nice (to me anyway) M&P 1905 in nickel. Mechanics are creamy, dreamy smooth, bore is shiny and clean with crisp rifling, numbers match and the nickel overall is pretty decent. You can just see the, "But......" coming. The finish under the non-factory grips is terrible with significant (at least to me, erosion). My question: will a soak in Ed's Red at least clean it up some and arrest any further damage? Pics here for reference.... Thanks in advance for any direction and/or advice.

 

[rockquarry]

I wouldn't soak any nickel gun in anything, but I have nothing to base this on as I have not tried it. However, it will likely do no harm using something like Hoppe's #9 or Ed's Red.

I only have one nickel S&W left, a 29-3 I bought new in 1983. It's been shot a lot and routinely. For regular cleaning of many nickel guns (mostly S&W revolvers) over several decades, I've used Hoppe's #9 or Ed's Red without problems. I wipe down with a soft lightly oiled cloth after cleaning and the guns look new.

Poor nickel jobs or nickel that is flaking will likely be harmed any cleaner/ solvent if it gets underneath the finish. If you have to clean a gun with a bad finish, use the cleaner sparingly and don't leave it on a long time. In doing so, you won't make the finish worse.

 

[stansdds]

I would not soak any nickel finished firearm in anything and I'm not sure your revolver is a S&W factory finish. The sideplate looks to have a slightly pebbled surface, perhaps this was a rusty revolver that was treated to an aftermarket plating.

 

[gwpercle]

Don't go with old formula Hoppe's #9 or any other cleaner that has Ammonia in it . Ammonia is the ingredient that damages the finish .
Ed's Red contains : eq.parts - acetone , ATF , mineral spirits and kerosene .
It will damage the clear coating S&W uses on their J-frames , I know , but I don't think it will hurt nickel but to be on the safe side you could mix up some and omit the acetone ...or just go "Old School" and soak in kerosene . 1 qt. @ wally Mart is $5.27 in paint section , kerosene was our rust soaking product back in the day . Scrubbing area with an old tooth brush will help speed things along . After soaking it leaves a protective like finish where the rust was ... try it ...no hurt .
I think the ATF - Mineral spirits - Kerosene mix would be an excellant rust soaker . Don't use synthetic ATF ...it doesn't mix with other ingredients.
Gary