Model 42 Airweight help

[dontgetbit]

I would like to refinish my grandfathers Model 42 Airweight lemon squeezer. He carried this gun daily and it was showing some wear. The gun was in a house fire about 3 years ago and sat in its soaked leather holster for a few days before we could recover it from the remaining structure.

What are some good options to refinish the gun to its original state? From what I have gathered, the gun was originally a black finish, though my dad seems to think it was blue.

Here is what it the current condition looks like.

I did clean the gun some this weekend and actually fired about 25 rounds through it. The internals appear to be fine, except for some rust on the mainspring.

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated as I work to get this gun back in shape and even carry it just as he would have.

 

[chief38]

If it were mine I would send it off to S&W for a refinish. They should be able to replace and or repair parts that were damages or rusted as well.

As for the grips - you might be better off just buying a good (original) set on line. I don't personally care for the modern versions that they are producing these days and they do not quite like the original version. You might have to look for a while, but they are out there. Of course if you are handy, ambitious and have some patients, you can refinish them yourself - not a difficult job and gratifying when done; especially since they are original to the gun.

Chief38

 

[dontgetbit]

Will S&W refinish the Airweight? I have read that the would not due to the alloy and risk of destroying the frame in the process?

I may attempt the grips myself and if I am not happy with the result, look for a new set.

I actually just spoke with S&W and they will not risk cracking the frame to refinish. I am waiting to hear back from Robar on what they can do. Otherwise I may get it media blasted and then duracoat it.

 

[dontgetbit]

Nobody ever refinish an airweight? I would hate to just duracoat a gun like this.

 

[Jlduke]

One thing to consider is that the fire has most likely heat treated the metal. The effect of this could be an increased hardness and chance of brittle fracture. I would be careful firing it.

 

[dontgetbit]

It was actually not in direct heat. It was under a bed so only smoke a d water were a factor. It was in a wet leather holster for a couple of days before being recovered. I do not plan to shoot it much but am more interested in restoring its finish.

 

[m1gunner]

A proper refinish involves removing the barrel. Aluminum alloys harden with age, and is why S&W will not do the work, they have cracked too many frames under the barrel threads.

Your best bet is one of the bake on finishes if you want it to look pretty.

Or, you could use Brownells Oxpho Blue on the steel parts, and aluma black on the aluminum parts.

It will still have a well worn look, but will be more rust resistant, and look a whole lot better. As no barrel removal is involved, you will not risk destroying the frame.