Rusty Guns

[Jack Dillon]

My guns are all somewhat new but i see a lot of used guns at shops that are rusted, what causes these guns to rust? And what can you do to prevent it?


Very stupid question i guess but i dunno,Thanks

[bojack2575]

Oxidation!

Keep oiled

[b.thomas]

Sweaty hands! Handle a gun and not wiping it down after will cause more rust then any other thing I can think of.

[Jack Dillon]

How often you suggest oiling a gun to prevent rust?

[jackmcmanus21]

keep wiping it down and oiling it, you should be fine. Assuming you don't leave it out in the rain

[Inspector3711]

I oil stored guns (that haven't been handled) every 6 months. I wipe down guns that are handled with a silicone treated cloth and oil them before putting them away. I have a Savage Stevens Favorite (#453 made in 1894) that I inherited in 1979 that is still rust free.

[Tom2]

Neglect. No respect for the gun and not bothering to put some kind of rust preventative on at all, in many cases. Then there is the issue of coastal areas or professional carry guns. Blued guns apparently are prone to rust near the ocean when carried, and demand constant attention, and still might be a little rusty. Sweaty people's CCW guns can tend to rust without constant attention. Police etc. carry constantly and are out in the rain, weather and get exposed to the elements. So there might be some excuse for traces of rust in those cases. But I still think the no. 1 problem is neglect, therefore I would examine any gun carefully that has notable rust outside. Maybe not lubed inside either. Maybe not cleaned or alot of internal wear from same neglect. If you keep your gun cleaned and protected for carry, you will experience finish wear over a long time but probably not rust!

[Inspector3711]

That's it. I care for my $100 guns just the same as the expensive ones. I treat them as if they are a pet that needs taken care of. They survive if I do my job.

[Harry Bonar]

Sir;
I've always used a "Rig Rag" and Rig on rags for years - it's great!
Harry B.

[Jack Dillon]

The cloth you wipe your gun down with how often should you toss it and use a new cloth?

I've heard that storing your gun in its factory case that the foam will absorb the oil off so you need to wrap your gun in a cloth before placing it in the case,how accurate is this?

All info i greatly appreciate

[Bill DeShivs]

Don't store the gun in a case. The case is for transport.
There is no need to change oil rags.

[Jack Dillon]

Just store in a safe wrapped in the silicone cloth?

And it should stay protected?

[Bill DeShivs]

Don't wrap the guns in anything-just oil them and control the humidity where they are stored.

[Jack Dillon]

What do your handguns lay/rest on?

[Wildalaska]

Nice guns looking guns arent the ones that are used hard. Guns that are used hard look like any other tool that is used hard. I've seen shovels in the back of a landscapers trailer that were less beat up than a Remington 870 made last year and left in a skiff on the Yukon........


WilduseemtheywillookbadAlaska TM

[Tom2]

Guns that are used hard and taken proper care of last a long time, they don't get all rusty, they just get finish wear and maybe dings in the stock etc. Actually the best storage system I have seen is the pistols hanging on pegs in a gun safe or other enclosed cabinet. But in a dry area, not in a basement where the walls weep water or something. Or on some kind of rack in the gun cabinet. Zippered cases or even synthetic holsters can work if the gun is stored in a dry area like a closet gun cabinet. Still should be examined regularly and wiped down. Maybe silicone from wiping with a silicone cloth would be less prone to leaching off the gun in storage? Like I said I can bear to see blueing wear but rust or pitting on a gun just turns me off to a deal. Of course collectable antiques for show are not the same as functional guns.

[Prince55]

No oil for storage ---it'll run off RIG, RIG, RIG
Store for months / years