Hard Chrome Advise

[Torakan]

I am looking at a 34-1 .22LR that has been hard chromed. The dealer said the previous owner had it done back in the mid 80's. What should I look for, besides finish wear or flaking, to make sure the gun was finished correctly? Also, since the gun was refinished would S&W still warrenty the gun if it had problems not related to the finish?

 

[NFrameFred]

I doubt you'll find much finish wear and especially no flaking. The hard chrome finishes such as Metalife are pretty tough stuff in my experience and hold up really well.

The only thing I ever heard a criticism of the process was ( and this was an early re-finish before the process had been pretty much standardized and accepted) that someone found it changed the dimensions of coated screws and threads enough that he had trouble with re-assembly. I don't believe that is an issue anymore now that the process has been perfected and especially pertaining to a gun that has had it for some time and been used as you are talking about.

The worst thing I see from the more "cheapo-looking" jobs is someone applying it to everything on the gun that will take it; hammer, trigger, everything, while I find that takes away from the looks of the gun - personal preference.

 

[one eye joe]

Gotta agree with NFameFred.........

 

[dfariswheel]

Since hard chrome is bonded directly to and actually into the steel, it can't chip, crack, or flake.

Hard chrome is deposited in a layer usually of about 0.0002" so it's so thin parts fit is seldom an issue.

The only thing to look for on an older job is any signs of dark grayish blotches or spots.
Early platers had some trouble with what they called "acid leech" caused by improper cleaning during processing.
This looks like dark gray blotches or spots in the finish. It can't be removed or repaired, the gun has to be re-plated.

I'm not sure what S&W's policy would be on a hard chromed gun, but since yours is an 80's gun, and second hand I'd think the warranty is expired.