I have not experianced any Nickel flake...but I havent shot it all that much...the plating seems o.k. for a cheap pistol ( though now that I think about it does have some silght brazing marks on the part were the front sight attaches to the barrel... but this does not appear to compromise the finnish...) I ordered my gun and did not actually get a chance to fondle the babe before laying down the smack...so if you want to be prudent inssist on seeing the specimine in question...
Still happy I have a shooter for under 300 greenbacks!
Peace
IZZY