S&W 642 Airweight cleaning products experience

[linkstate]

For those of you that own (or owned) a 642 Airweight, what has been your experience good or bad with different cleaning products?

My understanding is the clearcoat finish is somewhat fragile and stuff like Gunscrubber and Hoppes #9 are not recommended due to the ammonia content.

I called S&W and they said use Breakfree CLP. That's fine and I already have some but always like options.

Now to qualify my question, I'm an experienced revolver shooter (both blued and stainless) and have cleaned them many, many times. I'm not looking to make the 642 spotless, don't care about the burn rings, etc. I just want to get the built-up stuff off without damaging the finish. And yes it will be a carry gun and will get worn anyway. I just don't want to destroy the finish during one cleaning session... Oh and I only shoot FMJ through it because I don't want to deal with excess lead cleanup on a carry gun.

 

[Reloader]

Don't over think this stuff, use a little Billistol and be done with it

 

[linkstate]

Don't over think this stuff, use a little Billistol and be done with it

I overthink everything lol. I'm a Ballistol fan as well and it's ammonia free so should be good to go.

 

[Reloader]

I used Ballistol 40 years ago until I switched to the latest and greatest every few years. Now I've came full circle.

 

[linkstate]

Whelp, went to clean it and saw this in the corner of the frame where the crane inserts. Guess I'll be calling S&W tomorrow. My 442 is not like this. Not sure if it was like this before I shot it and whether it's just cosmetic or a chipped frame....

 

[4g64loser]

Mpro7 works fine for general scuzz removal. Use a nylon toothbrush for flats, nooks, and crannies. Don't be afraid to spray the crap out of the thing and let it soak while you so something else. I get lead off the cylinder face, chambers, and bore using JB if it is stubborn. Normal bore cleaning is mpro7 and a nylon brush. Mobil one for lubricant. Mine is a 642-1 and I haven't seen any finish issues in the probably ten years I have owned it.

On carry guns, I have a no stinky products policy. Other guns tend to get more fragrant products that work faster/better.

 

[linkstate]

Mpro7 works fine for general scuzz removal. Use a nylon toothbrush for flats, nooks, and crannies. Don't be afraid to spray the crap out of the thing and let it soak while you so something else. I get lead off the cylinder face, chambers, and bore using JB if it is stubborn. Normal bore cleaning is mpro7 and a nylon brush. Mobil one for lubricant. Mine is a 642-1 and I haven't seen any finish issues in the probably ten years I have owned it.

On carry guns, I have a no stinky products policy. Other guns tend to get more fragrant products that work faster/better.

Good info on Mpro7 and JB. Thanks.

I have some Hoppes Elite cleaner which some say is the same as Mpro7 but not sure. I just went with Breakfree for now.

Unless I'm cleaning something with wood furniture, I don't usually stress too much about what cleaner I'm using. The 642 is a new animal to me. Brownells had a smoking discount a few weeks ago with an additional 75 off 300 or more so I jumped on it. I just hope I don't have to send it in already...

But at least I have a 442 PC which has been fine so far.

 

[sxs]

Ballistol is good stuff. But I like G96 for general use. Smells way better than Ballistol also.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I have a Smith and Wesson Airweight and happy with Ballistol.

 

[ohen cepel]

Another Ballistol fan. May not be the best cleaner, but it has never messed anything up for me.

 

[Bullfrog]

Whelp, went to clean it and saw this in the corner of the frame where the crane inserts. Guess I'll be calling S&W tomorrow. My 442 is not like this. Not sure if it was like this before I shot it and whether it's just cosmetic or a chipped frame....

View attachment 384339

Ugh... hard to tell for sure on a phone screen, but that doesn't look like a chip. With those parallel lines it looks like it was hit with a grinder.

 

[linkstate]

Whelp, Ballistol seems to be the clear winner from the Airweight fans. Thanks everybody.

 

[linkstate]

Ugh... hard to tell for sure on a phone screen, but that doesn't look like a chip. With those parallel lines it looks like it was hit with a grinder.

Yeah, the more I looked at it, it appears to have been done before clearcoating the frame. And if you can zoom in, it looks like the grinder or whatever skipped a spot and then hit farther back on the inside bottom of the frame. I wonder if there was an imperfection in that area and they just ground it out… if it’s not a safety issue, I can live with it. I just hope they can tell me that over the phone or email and I can send pics to a tech.

I’ve owned a few S&Ws and they are rarely perfect. I’m more concerned with having a smooth trigger and a straight barrel which this one has. Lockup is nice and solid. The trigger is heavy as expected but there are no hitches that I can detect.

 

[4g64loser]

Good info on Mpro7 and JB. Thanks.

I have some Hoppes Elite cleaner which some say is the same as Mpro7 but not sure. I just went with Breakfree for now.

Unless I'm cleaning something with wood furniture, I don't usually stress too much about what cleaner I'm using. The 642 is a new animal to me. Brownells had a smoking discount a few weeks ago with an additional 75 off 300 or more so I jumped on it. I just hope I don't have to send it in already...

But at least I have a 442 PC which has been fine so far.

Yes, hoppes bought out pantheon or whoever started making mpro7. It's the same stuff in two bottles.

 

[Reloader]

Whelp, went to clean it and saw this in the corner of the frame where the crane inserts. Guess I'll be calling S&W tomorrow. My 442 is not like this. Not sure if it was like this before I shot it and whether it's just cosmetic or a chipped frame....

View attachment 384339

I got curious and looked at mine. Seems the factory felt the need to do a little extra clearance on yours.

 

[John from MD]

Whelp, went to clean it and saw this in the corner of the frame where the crane inserts. Guess I'll be calling S&W tomorrow. My 442 is not like this. Not sure if it was like this before I shot it and whether it's just cosmetic or a chipped frame....

View attachment 384339

Somebody slipped with a grinder. S&W should replace that frame for you. However, that will require it to be sent to an FFL and you will have to do another 7 day jail sentence.

 

[normbal]

Whelp, went to clean it and saw this in the corner of the frame where the crane inserts. Guess I'll be calling S&W tomorrow. My 442 is not like this. Not sure if it was like this before I shot it and whether it's just cosmetic or a chipped frame....

View attachment 384339

THAT’s not “normal” but, unfired, might be quite the collectors’ item in a few decades.

Reminds me of a lunchbox P-38 I got from a WW2 vet cobbled together from poorly finished but fitted parts serial mismatches, no serial numbers on some parts, and it still shoots great.

 

[Reloader]

Somebody slipped with a grinder. S&W should replace that frame for you. However, that will require it to be sent to an FFL and you will have to do another 7 day jail sentence.

I'm guessing S&W couldn't use the same serial number?

 

[4g64loser]

I'm guessing S&W couldn't use the same serial number?

They are legally entitled to, as the original manufacturer, but they won't because it's more headache for them than just sending you another one.

 

[John from MD]

They are legally entitled to, as the original manufacturer, but they won't because it's more headache for them than just sending you another one.

That's about the size of it. Warranty work always takes the easiest, cheapest path.