S&W Aluminum Cylinder Coating

Zhillsauditor · December 9, 2012, 11:18 PM

Hey all,

I have a S&W m17 with the aluminum cylinder. The gun is in great mechanical shape, but the bluing is wearing, making the cylinder look darker than much of the gun, and the cylinder is showing some slight chipping as well.

I've been thinking about resurfacing. I don't see how the color of the cylinder will match if I get the gun reblued. I was thinking about either getting the whole thing chrome or nickle plated, or maybe just the cylinder with a reblue of the rest of the gun--if I'm going to have a two tone revolver, I'd rather have a shinny cylinder and a blue frame than two mismatched blues.

Anyway, the question is, can an aluminimum cylinder be chrome or nickle plated with long lasting results?

Thanks,

**JohnKSa** · December 9, 2012, 11:31 PM

I know that NP3, a metallic plating consisting of electroless nickel & teflon, can be applied directly to aluminum. I assume that electroless nickel can be as well.

Bill DeShivs · December 10, 2012, 12:23 AM

Both can be applied to aluminum. A special treatment is required first.

**JohnKSa** · December 10, 2012, 12:53 AM

What sort of treatment?

Zhillsauditor · December 10, 2012, 01:03 PM

If it weren't for the cylinder, I would not worry about it, but the two shades of blue annoy me, and I worry about the wear and tear on the aluminum surfaces of the cylinder. I've never had anything chromed, so maybe this is my opportunity.

Bill DeShivs · December 10, 2012, 04:20 PM

Usually a zincate coating is applied to the aluminum to prevent oxidizing. The slightly acidic nickel solution eats the zincate away, exposing fresh aluminum and plating it.

**JohnKSa** · December 10, 2012, 11:14 PM

Interesting. I knew that a copper plate was required prior to some types of plating, but what you're talking about is almost like a primer/prep coat that disappears as the nickel attaches.

Neat stuff.

Glenn Dee · December 10, 2012, 11:22 PM

An aluminum Cylinder?... are there any unusual markings on the gun? If your correct... That may be a bit of a rare piece. I suggest you check with someone on the S&W forum... and dont do anything to the gun.

Bill DeShivs · December 11, 2012, 02:16 AM

John,
That's exactly what it is.

Zhillsauditor · December 11, 2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

That may be a bit of a rare piece

It is a 17-8 made in the 90s. S&W made them with alum cylinders. The original 617s were made with alum cylinders as well, but they switched to stainless fairly quickly. While rare, I don't think they are seen as collectable (they switched to stainless due to complaints about the cheap feel of aluminum).

December 9, 2012, 11:18 PM	#1
Zhillsauditor Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2008 Posts: 635	S&W Aluminum Cylinder Coating Hey all, I have a S&W m17 with the aluminum cylinder. The gun is in great mechanical shape, but the bluing is wearing, making the cylinder look darker than much of the gun, and the cylinder is showing some slight chipping as well. I've been thinking about resurfacing. I don't see how the color of the cylinder will match if I get the gun reblued. I was thinking about either getting the whole thing chrome or nickle plated, or maybe just the cylinder with a reblue of the rest of the gun--if I'm going to have a two tone revolver, I'd rather have a shinny cylinder and a blue frame than two mismatched blues. Anyway, the question is, can an aluminimum cylinder be chrome or nickle plated with long lasting results? Thanks,

December 9, 2012, 11:31 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	I know that NP3, a metallic plating consisting of electroless nickel & teflon, can be applied directly to aluminum. I assume that electroless nickel can be as well. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 10, 2012, 12:23 AM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Both can be applied to aluminum. A special treatment is required first. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 10, 2012, 12:53 AM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	What sort of treatment? __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 10, 2012, 04:20 PM	#6
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Usually a zincate coating is applied to the aluminum to prevent oxidizing. The slightly acidic nickel solution eats the zincate away, exposing fresh aluminum and plating it. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 10, 2012, 01:03 PM	#5
Zhillsauditor Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2008 Posts: 635	If it weren't for the cylinder, I would not worry about it, but the two shades of blue annoy me, and I worry about the wear and tear on the aluminum surfaces of the cylinder. I've never had anything chromed, so maybe this is my opportunity.

December 10, 2012, 11:14 PM	#7
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	Interesting. I knew that a copper plate was required prior to some types of plating, but what you're talking about is almost like a primer/prep coat that disappears as the nickel attaches. Neat stuff. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 10, 2012, 11:22 PM	#8
Glenn Dee Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,560	An aluminum Cylinder?... are there any unusual markings on the gun? If your correct... That may be a bit of a rare piece. I suggest you check with someone on the S&W forum... and dont do anything to the gun.

December 11, 2012, 02:16 AM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	John, That's exactly what it is. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com