Durability of Smith and Wesson Nickel Plated guns.

[Palladan44]

How well does nickel plating hold up, generally speaking? Or more specifically how well can i expect my smith and wesson 29-2 circa 1975 to hold up? Its in great shape now. But i plan on using it. Please share experiences.

 

[grter]

Nickel plating is very strong and long lasting preserving the metal underneath when it binds to the metal thoroughly (no air bubbles) as well as completely covering it. If not the metal oxidizes under the nickel plating making it prone to chipping off. It's all downhill after that.

Another drawback is most gun cleaning solvents designed to remove copper and lead fowling will destroy a nickel finish as those type of solvents break down nickel as well.

 

[Project355]

solvents break down nickel as well.

Not quite right.

Electrically applied nickel, just like chrome, is applied over copper that is applied to the steel. All electrically applied nickel has pinholes. Those pinholes allow ammoniated solvents, like #9, to penetrate to the copper, which begins to dissolve, turn green, etc. The result is cloudy nickel from under the finish. It cannot be buffed out.

Electroless nickel is chemically applied, and far better in this regard.

All nickel is subject to wear, although electroless is a bit better. Edges and corners are early wear spots. Cylinder fronts, frames next to forcing cones.... They wear.

Shiny nickel is electrically applied. Electroless is most often dead flat matte surface.

 

[BBBBill]

A buddy had a brand new nickel plated S&W 586. Every time he fired it there was a sparkly cloud of tiny nickel flakes. Went back twice to the mother ship and still did it.

 

[velocette]

Here's what your Smith revolver might look like in 150 years:
Photo taken with revolver inside glass case on my wall.