*** Smith & Wesson ( 642 ) finish

[Jon442]

I just purchased this 642 less than a MONTH ago, and its already beginning to show signs of wear on the finish that S&W puts on their alloy frame.
Right above the grip you can see it lightly beginning on the sideplate, and on the shield by the cylinder.
For the record, I BABY my guns. wipe them down after they come out of my holster or off my body... Silicone rag and oil... from my glock to my 642.
I'm not sure whats going on with smith as of the past bunch of years, but this is really pissing me off.
I know its a tool.. but less than a month old? come on..

Anyone have similar issues ? this gun is i believe february 2012 production

 

[-db-]

This is a known issue with 642s. I don't know what the fix is, if one exists, but there are multiple threads here on the topic.

 

[jframe]

The BEST fix, in my opinion is a 642-1. I have one of these older guns with an anodized finish, as opposed to the newer guns having a coating. The anodization on mine is starting to show some wear, but I guess it should, after fifteen years of daily carry.....

 

[InTheWoods]

Quite frankly, the places you are experiencing finish problems are not places on revolvers that tend to see much abrasion. I don't think your finish is wearing away, but something else is going on. Either the finish was poorly applied at the factory, or your finish is reacting to chemical cleaners you are using on your 642.

Finish 'wearing' almost always first occurs on the edges of the frame, trigger guard, etc. What are you using to clean your 642?

I have been carrying my 642 on and off for several years now and only have the slightest wear on the edge of my frame. I would probably have to show it to you for you to even see it. Yep, the finish on 642s is somewhat delicate, but (if properly applied) it seems to wear around the edges just like bluing does. Not exposing the lacquer finish to harsh cleaning chemicals and occassionally waxing it go a long ways in keeping the finish looking great for many, many years.

If you feel your finish is defective, contact the factory.

 

[Jon442]

The bad thing is that this IS a S&W 642-1 but its a recent production from 2012.

I carry the gun in my left hand pocket, so the wear does seem right, because when I take it out of my pocket, there is usually beads of sweat on those areas that i Promptly wipe off with a silicone rag, and oil with Hoppes or Remoil.

The backstrap is also showing some chipping/flaking but not under the trigger guard.

 

[InTheWoods]

Maybe you are one of those folks with extremely toxic sweat. Waxing would help if this is the case.

No sense in oiling the aluminum frame anyway. Only the cylinder and barrel are steel. What Hoppe's product are you using? If it contains cleaning agents, this could be the problem.

Have you considered a pocket holster. This would protect the gun from sweat, abbration, and is also considered the safest way to carry a pocket gun.

There is really no way a properly applied 642 finish should only last one month unless something weird is happening.

 

[Jon442]

Apparantly I have toxic sweat then.
I do carry the gun in a pocket holster (kramer)
I use hoppes elite gun oil and /or hoppes silicone gun rag.

This isn't my first rodeo with S&W or the J frames regarding maintenance.
I have a 442 that I had carried for years before any kind of finish wear was showing.. .and that is supposed to be the "less durable" finish according to many.

So go figure, apparantly S&W quality is a roll of the dice.
I have emailed them and am awaiting a response

 

[JR78]

I experienced the same problem. Called S&W and shipped it to them. They replaced the frame. The new frame doesn't have the clear coat on it like the original. It appears to be some sort of anodized process.

 

[clayman01]

the yoke screw looks well buggered. Did they ship it like that?

 

[RGMoore]

I've had a 642 for about a year. Carry it constantly in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster in the right front pocket of my shorts. The finish has no discernible wear. I never clean it except to blow the pocket lint out of the action occasionally.

 

[Jon442]

the yoke screw looks well buggered. Did they ship it like that?

That was thanks to my "gunsmith". Scraped the "air weight" etching too. Never had a problem with this guy until now. Have to get new screws.

 

[InTheWoods]

Wonder if your 'gunsmith' used some ammonia-based cleaner (Hoppes solvent) or something like Gunscrubber your frame after he was done doing his fine work?

 

[Jon442]

now, that I don't know.

What I do know, is that when I take it out of my pocket , there is sweat on the gun, in those particular locations where the finish is wearing/flaking.

*update*
I received a standard email stating to fill out the return form and send the gun in for service.

Kinda generic,but its going somewhere....

Anyone have any info on the 340PD? do they suffer from the same flaking issues that the 642 has been plagued with?

 

[jeeps]

Carrying in a pocket holster for a decade I had wear on my back strap so I took off the grips and polished the backstrap with OOOO steel wool and put a good coat of clear coat over it. When SW first came out with stainless airweights they used clearcoat over the bare alloy. Works great .

 

[The Tourist]

One of the things I always tell people who carry guns/knives for self defense is "don't fall in love with them."

By the very nature of being a EDC, it's going to get bumped, scratched, dropped, and in the case of the OP, marred from sweat and/or environmental corrosion.

I hate to tell this to a guy who loves firearms, but consider it the price you pay to walk safely in the world. There are a number of places that provide superior finishes, like Robar.

When the revolver becomes so hideous that you fear for it, have it refinished.

If it means anything to you, my 642 has a pin hole casting/forging error on the back portion of the frame where a hammer would normally sit. It is a surface flaw, and does not effect the performance of the revolver.

Yeah, it bugged me when I first saw it, but if I ever have to use the 642, the cops will probably take it, and the police evidence storage area will most likely do more damage to it than that.

Firearm Finishes

 

[OLDSTER]

642 finish

I have both a 637 and a 642 that have been carried and shot extensively. They are both over 4 years old. I have noticed no excessive wear on either.

 

[Florida J Frame]

That was thanks to my "gunsmith". Scraped the "air weight" etching too. Never had a problem with this guy until now. Have to get new screws.

I think you should get a real gunsmith then new screws. My 642 is four years old, gets cleaned with Break Free CLP and waxed with Renaissance. The finish looks like new. Hope Smith straightens things out for you.

 

[MichiganScott]

I've got a 642-2 that I've carried for almost daily for probably eight years. It must be anodized because it looks almost new.

 

[Jon442]

My thought's exactly.

Have been using the same smith for probably 10 years plus... not changing.. this is the first time he's screwed anything up.

I just sent the 642 back to smith, and we'll see what happens.

worst case scenario, they send it back as is for whatever reason, i carry it until it falls apart, and then never buy another new smith and wesson product. I have tons of old smith stuff that is PERFECT, even after a few years of carry.

Makes me wonder what else they're cutting corners on, other than the finish.

 

[pharmer]

It's an aluminum frame. Finish wear won't hurt a thing. I baby my guns too, but my 6906, that I carry 99% of the time, shows wear from 18+ years. Gives 'em character. Joe