S&W 642 Airweight Finish update..

[BlueLineNYPD]

I purchased 2 Smith & Wesson 642 Airweights back in 2015, both still in brand new condition. Neither of them has more than 25 rounds through them, they’ve basically just sat in my safe (My EDC is a Glock 43X).

Even though the revolvers have hardly been used, I’ve noticed the finish is chipping and flaking off. When I contacted Smith & Wesson, they told me that’s not normal and advised me to send them in.

Today, I got a call from them saying both guns need to be refinished, but it would cost over $400 to have it done because there is only a one year warranty on the finish. I’ve heard this is actually a common issue with the 642s.. some people say it’s purely cosmetic, others say it can eventually lead to rust and corrosion problems.

I’m just looking for some opinions. For that kind of money, I could just buy another new 642, but then again if this is going to happen again, what’s the point?

 

[StephenWhoDat]

Interesting. I've had a 642 in my carry rotation for about 12 years or so and the finish on mine is still in excellent shape. 96% I'd say. And I carry it IWB during the brutally hot Louisiana summers. Wonder what the difference is.

 

[BlueLineNYPD]

Interesting. I've had a 642 in my carry rotation for about 12 years or so and the finish on mine is still in excellent shape. 96% I'd say. And I carry it IWB during the brutally hot Louisiana summers. Wonder what the difference is.

Yeah, I’d like to know too. If you search around online, there are plenty of forums discussing this. Even a quick Google search will bring it up, and AI pulls the topic pretty easily as well.

 

[HardToHandle]

Maddening.
No wear but flakes off.

Had a similar experience. I ended up just covering my flakiness with Brownells spray on paint. That has held up since.