Sweet gun
Actually, the Airweight J frames are only 15oz, not 16 or 17oz. The Aitlite J frames are only 12oz which are extremely light...weight the revolver. Aluminum frame it will weight around 17oz maybe 16. SS it will be closer to 21oz.
It's a clearcoat, either an applied finish or clear anodizing and something has gotten under it. That's why it looks like ringworm. It's probably just been sweated on or possibly left a little damp a few times. Kinda like the old forged aluminum wheels on my truck, where the valve stem hole is where the moisture got under the clearcoat and it creeps out from there, just like ringworm. The only solution is to remove the clearcoat, either by chemical means or abrasive blasting media and either leave it bare or refinish it. The grip frame on the Ruger above was bead blasted and left bare 12yrs ago. The pic is no more than two years old and as you can see, it holds up fine with no finish. A polished finish requires a little more maintenance.After looking at the photo of the Smith again, it almost looks like they have some kind of painted finish over the aluminum. Haven't a clue how to fix something like that???
Could you keep us updated? I am curious as to the outcome.Thanks for everyone's input. I'm going to contact Smith & Wesson on Monday and see if I can send it in to get a refinished.
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Exactly. I have an nickel aluminum model 12-2 that looks like the day it was made and it was produced in 1976. Its not the aluminum its the coating.Aluminum is not in the same class as pot metals like zinc alloys. The problems with that revolver have nothing to do with aluminum but with the clear coat finish.
Could you keep us updated? I am curious as to the outcome.
Actually, the Airweight J frames are only 15oz, not 16 or 17oz.
Its a carry gun. Let it be. Just a tool. Or you could get some 1000 grit wet dry and use kroil oil on it and sand it to a polish if you wish.
It's probably just been sweated on or possibly left a little damp a few times. Kinda like the old forged aluminum wheels on my truck, where the valve stem hole is where the moisture got under the clearcoat and it creeps out from there, just like ringworm.
Forged aluminum on an `04 Silverado 2500HD. Any aluminum wheel with a clear coat will do it given enough time. Usually happens around the valve stem hole or around a wheel weight when clamped to the outside. Sometimes it just chips around a sharp edge. Something breaches the clearcoat and moisture makes its way in. Mine took 8yrs to get bad enough to be an eyesore but sometimes it happens sooner. Just like on the S&W in question.Just curious (not to cause too much thread drift), are those forged alloys on a 90s GM product?