Pebcac
Member
Hello, all. I just joined the 642 Club Saturday upon the purchase of a new 642-2. I've read all the complaints regarding the clearcoat finish, and how it does not play well with some cleaning agents. While I think that a finish should be tough enough to stand up to a shot of GunScrubber, that horse has been well and truly beaten, and S&W has evidently decided that they're sticking with what they've got. So, I just decided I'd stick with my trusty MPro7 and go on my merry way, happy with my new pocket piece.
Then, tragedy struck. Whilst conversing with my wife, I bumped my new wheelgun against the wooden door frame I was walking through. Thanks for the distraction, dear.
Painted pine is soft, and I didn't really expect to even find much of a scuff mark on the gun, but if there was, I was OK with it. All of my guns have some scuffs, scratches, and finish wear, and that's all just character, IMO. To my great shock, however, I found a semi-circular chip of the finish knocked clean off to the bare metal, just aft the barrel on the right side of the frame. Where the chip is missing, I can continue to remove finish material with no more effort than scratching with my fingernail. That's a Bad Thing.
I called Smith & Wesson yesterday, and, to their great credit, they're sending me a prepaid shipping label to have the gun refinished. That's excellent service, IMO, given that most companies would at least expect one to cover shipping to their facility. Still, I'm concerned that, with the same finish going back on the gun, I'm going to wind up with something that must be babied to keep it from chipping, etc. Note: I know, I know, it'll probably fire just fine. But if I wanted a more cheaply-made pistol, I would've bought a Taurus or a Charter. Smith & Wesson quality, and all that!
So my question is this: have those of you who have a 442, the carbon-steel counterpart to the 642, had any similar finish issues? I really like this little gun, and want to keep it, so I'm considering asking the shop to refinish the frame like a 442 if that finish is more durable, or just leave the clear coat off, maybe. If they won't go for that, I guess I'm looking at sending it off for a coated finish like Cobra Coat, but I hate to spend money to replace a finish that should be adequate from the factory. Frankly, I don't care whether or not my 642 winds up two different colors. It's two tones of silver now, anyway, so I don't really understand why they changed from the no-dash 642 finish to begin with.
442 owners, your comments please! And other opinions and suggestions welcome, too. Thanks!
Then, tragedy struck. Whilst conversing with my wife, I bumped my new wheelgun against the wooden door frame I was walking through. Thanks for the distraction, dear.
Painted pine is soft, and I didn't really expect to even find much of a scuff mark on the gun, but if there was, I was OK with it. All of my guns have some scuffs, scratches, and finish wear, and that's all just character, IMO. To my great shock, however, I found a semi-circular chip of the finish knocked clean off to the bare metal, just aft the barrel on the right side of the frame. Where the chip is missing, I can continue to remove finish material with no more effort than scratching with my fingernail. That's a Bad Thing.I called Smith & Wesson yesterday, and, to their great credit, they're sending me a prepaid shipping label to have the gun refinished. That's excellent service, IMO, given that most companies would at least expect one to cover shipping to their facility. Still, I'm concerned that, with the same finish going back on the gun, I'm going to wind up with something that must be babied to keep it from chipping, etc. Note: I know, I know, it'll probably fire just fine. But if I wanted a more cheaply-made pistol, I would've bought a Taurus or a Charter. Smith & Wesson quality, and all that!
So my question is this: have those of you who have a 442, the carbon-steel counterpart to the 642, had any similar finish issues? I really like this little gun, and want to keep it, so I'm considering asking the shop to refinish the frame like a 442 if that finish is more durable, or just leave the clear coat off, maybe. If they won't go for that, I guess I'm looking at sending it off for a coated finish like Cobra Coat, but I hate to spend money to replace a finish that should be adequate from the factory. Frankly, I don't care whether or not my 642 winds up two different colors. It's two tones of silver now, anyway, so I don't really understand why they changed from the no-dash 642 finish to begin with.
442 owners, your comments please! And other opinions and suggestions welcome, too. Thanks!
