Smith 340 coating issues

Do you have pics?....is it the coating on the cylinder?...if so... your model sc has a titanium cylinder which is great for cutting weight. not so great for durability compared to other models, like my 340 M&P. Which instead of a titanium cylinder it has a coated stainless steel cylinder. If you do a search, you should find a few posts on cylinder wear from scratches, ect. ect...

If you choose not to send it back to S&W....You could buy a new titanium cylinder from www.midwayusa.com for about 130 bucks. Tho Im not sure what all you have to do to it or if its just a drop in type of job.

Never mind....somehow I toatally missed where you said its your backstrap, heh..... Darn readin skillz, heh... Im not sure now, hehe...other than sendin it in to S&W or a gunsmith that can redo the DLC coating on the scandium frame.

Anyone ever swap a Ti cylinder into thier M&P340 to save more weight while carrying?

At our Shop we have sent Three 642 Revolvers back to S&W for that same thing. these were Guns that Customers had cleaned and it destroyed the finish. S&W sent us new guns to replace them. My 642 started to peal just from carry in a Pocket Holster I sold it and got a 442 and it still looks new. I would call S&W Customer Service and tell them about it if it bothers you. See what the will do for you.

Chup said:

At our Shop we have sent Three 642 Revolvers back to S&W for that same thing. these were Guns that Customers had cleaned and it destroyed the finish. S&W sent us new guns to replace them. My 642 started to peal just from carry in a Pocket Holster I sold it and got a 442 and it still looks new. I would call S&W Customer Service and tell them about it if it bothers you. See what the will do for you.

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i had to send my 642 back twice from my sweat the aluminum stated to pit under the grip where the coating began to come off. they refinished it once but the pitting [or whatever] started coming threw in a month. they finally replaced the frame and i gave it to my wife to carry. i have read a lot of posts on this problem. i would like to have a light weight smith but don't know what i'll get next.

My older 642 has an anodized frame & has been carried for 20 years & still looks great..
Also there was a run of 442s in Nickel that would hold up better than that clearcoat spray on finish..
I'd call Smith & they should refinish for you, I've heard that others have been told NO..
Be polite & straight to the point..

In August my 442 will be a year old. I have carried it daily and it still looks like new. It has about 400 to 500 rounds through it. I will never buy the coated stainless finish again. My 642 started to peal within the first month. I got rid of it at about 14 months. I hate to see it now.

Chup said:

In August my 442 will be a year old. I have carried it daily and it still looks like new. It has about 400 to 500 rounds through it. I will never buy the coated stainless finish again. My 642 started to peal within the first month. I got rid of it at about 14 months. I hate to see it now.

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is the 442 frame aluminum, and if it is what finish does it have on it?

My 442 is a Aluminum Alloy, I believe, that ways about 15 Oz. It has the Black Finnish and is +P rated. I carry it daily in a pocket holster and it shows no ware at all.

1canvas said:

is the 442 frame aluminum, and if it is what finish does it have on it?

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I think the clear-coating type finish is merely cosmetic as bare aluminum would not match (color-wise) too well with the stainless barrel/cylinder of the Airweight series.

That said, I sent one back about 5 years ago due to the peeling issue. S&W refinished it and this time, the finish held up surprisingly well.

I traded the aluminum Bodyguard for an old school stainless steel 649 (no dash-no lock) in .38 Special only (1 7/8 inch barrel) and never looked back. That extra 4-5 ounces doesn't bother me even for ankle carry.

Leigh did I sell you that M649 in Lexington KY on Black Friday??
Just wondered..

1canvas said:

i had to send my 642 back twice from my sweat the aluminum stated to pit under the grip where the coating began to come off. they refinished it once but the pitting [or whatever] started coming threw in a month. they finally replaced the frame and i gave it to my wife to carry. i have read a lot of posts on this problem. i would like to have a light weight smith but don't know what i'll get next.

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Thanks for sharing about the 642 finish issue. I have been trying to decide on a snub and thought the 642 finish may be a bit more on the durable side, but you have now enlightened me.

Find an older Anodized one or the 442 electroless nickle..