Rusting 442

[ogilvyspecial]

My EDC is a M36 Chief's Special, and I can tell you from personal experience that a periodic wipe down with Break-Free CLP goes a long way towards preventing "warranty issues" like the one you described.

I hear ya!

I have to keep my M36-2 wiped down, especially in the summer, or rust will form.

If not for the fact that it's probably the most accurate gun I have I
would strictly be a stainless kinda guy when it comes to carry guns .

 

[tguil]

If not for the fact that it's probably the most accurate gun I have I would strictly be a stainless kinda guy when it comes to carry guns .

It's also a darn "purty" gun....especially with no rust.

 

[hotrod150]

What's that "T" mark below the "marcas registradas" ?
Along with the usual holster wear, my EDC model 36 has some knicks in the bluing in the cylinder latch area and with my preferred IWB carry they were quick to develop rust. I touched them up with a little oxpho blue, and now wipe the gun down with WD40 every evening when I un-pack. It's a good idea to take the grips off fairly often & check under there, I've seen photo's of airweights that were horribly corroded under the grips from sweat.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

What's that "T" mark below the "marcas registradas" ?

That's optional when having a gun worked by pistolsmith, Teddy Jacobson, Actions by "T".

Not only is that Model 36 accurate, Teddy re-cut the crown, but the action is smooth as silk.

 

[CoMF]

It's also a darn "purty" gun....especially with no rust.

Second that. Stainless is nice, but there's just something classy about a blued firearm, especially when it's cared for properly.

That's optional when having a gun worked by pistolsmith, Teddy Jacobson, Actions by "T".

Not only is that Model 36 accurate, Teddy re-cut the crown, but the action is smooth as silk.

So not only do you have a fine looking Chief's Special, you also have a masterpiece!

 

[redlevel]

If you pocket carry a blued Model 36 without a holster, fall in a creek from time to time, go 72 hours without changing clothes and sweat them through a half-dozen times a day every so often, after 40 years it might look like this.

It is still fine on the inside, though. It is about time for the yearly disassembly, cleaning, and 24 hour diesel fuel soak. I might even replace the springs after 40 years.

Oh, do you reckon S&W would refinish it under warranty?

 

[PriseDeFer]

Red. For a sidearm, a true sidearm that actually lives at your side, that is beauty.

 

[Hapworth]

If you pocket carry a blued Model 36 without a holster, fall in a creek from time to time, go 72 hours without changing clothes and sweat them through a half-dozen times a day every so often, after 40 years it might look like this.

It is still fine on the inside, though. It is about time for the yearly disassembly, cleaning, and 24 hour diesel fuel soak. I might even replace the springs after 40 years.

Oh, do you reckon S&W would refinish it under warranty?

Looks like you snapped off the hammer spur on one of those creek falls, and there's some serious moss growing between the grip and the trigger guard.

Why can't S&W build these things better? Right back to the factory -- under warranty -- and if they don't remember selling you the gun forty years ago, customer service has gone down the drain.

 

[turbo38gn]

You guys are great. I know I would have got in trouble if I said what I wanted to say.... a picture truly is worth a thousand words!!!

 

[russp1]

The only thing that's going to rust on a 442 is the cylinder, barrel and screws. And that's assuming you have one of the 442's with the carbon steel cylinder and barrel. You might want to take care of the grip screw as they can be difficult to find.

Finally got tired of the rusted screw and took a shot. Home Depot has the exact screw in stainless steel; socket drive, button head 8-32 X 3/4". 2 for $1.50.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I had a grip screw rust on a Colt Cobra. I used rust remover and a bronze tooth type brush to get it almost white. Then I heated it really hot and quenched it in oil, presto! A new blue finish-it really works. Hint, do NOT hold the screw in your fingers when you heat it.

 

[Pisgah]

Thanks for your opinion on this being a warranty issue or not, I wasnt asking you that. The gun is six months old and if thats the "quality" s&w puts out, its sad.

So, if you bought a new Mercedes, and then parked it under the local pigeon roost without washing for a week, are you going to make a warranty claim against the manufacturer for "quality issues"?

You have a blued-steel gun. It will rust literally within hours under adverse conditions without regular maintenance. This is not S&W's fault; it's just the way things are and ever have been with blued guns.

 

[Magnumdood]

Actually, they are experts

Just wanted to let all you experts know that the gun was covered under warranty

Actually, they are experts despite your impertinent post implying otherwise; Smith & Wesson covered that problem with your gun...maintenance...to show goodwill and further a good relationship with their customers, which one of the experts already noted.

 

[Sarge45]

Thanks for your opinion on this being a warranty issue or not, I wasnt asking you that. The gun is six months old and if thats the "quality" s&w puts out, its sad.

You cannot reasonably expect that any item made of steel and continually subected to a moist and salty environment won't rust. Really ?