July 9, 2013, 08:58 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2010
Posts: 3
|
Bersa .380 rust
I have a Bersa Thunder that's three years old. Has never been exposed to the elements, just rides in my truck. The slide is getting rust spots all over....is this normal? Do you think Bersa would fix it? Or should I just accept as normal and use steel wool or something to fix it myself?
|
July 9, 2013, 09:04 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 17, 2007
Posts: 151
|
what finish is the slide? nickel, blued, etc??
Something had to have come into contact with it- holster wear, chemicals, sweat, high humidity, etc.. something of the sort. It would be exceedingly rare to see a nickel slide develop rust spots. A blued slide, sure, no reason why not, especially if there isnt a layer of protection on the slide such an oil barrier. but for a blued slide to just randomly develop rust spots with no scratches, abrasions, scuffs, or liquid contact, I assume could only be caused by excessive moisture in the air and constant exposure. Bersa pistols don't all have fantastic finish quality, but they certainly aren't poor or bad by any means. Can you post some pictures? |
July 9, 2013, 09:05 AM | #3 |
Staff
Join Date: April 13, 2000
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 41,374
|
Have you oiled it or otherwise used anything to protect the surface?
If not, yes, it's fairly normal for unprotected steel in an environment that's not climate controlled all of the time.
__________________
"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. |
July 9, 2013, 09:27 AM | #4 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2010
Posts: 3
|
Here are a couple of cell phone pics....not good but you get the idea. I keep the gun in a leather holster in my truck almost 24/7....and I live in hot, humid south Georgia. So I guess I can blame myself/the weather....SO....how can I fix this myself? Steel wool and machine oil?
|
July 9, 2013, 09:52 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 17, 2007
Posts: 151
|
if its just very top surface corrosion, fine steel wool should take it off.. once it is, you'll be able to see if the bluing is damaged or gone from those areas. If it is, I would touch it up with a cold bluing kit.
If the corrosion is more severe, causing pitting of the slide, or anything similar, then I would get out the fine sandpaper and sand the whole slide down and reblue the whole thing. After all is said and done, wipe it down with some rem-wipes or oiled cleaning cloth.. just a light light coat of something to protect it, especially since 24/7 in a leather holster in the kind of environment you have is rough on metal surfaces like that. Then I would wipe it down and reapply the protective layer every month or so- depending on the weather and how quickly the humidity gets to it. |
July 9, 2013, 09:54 AM | #6 |
Junior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2010
Posts: 3
|
Thank you Jason...I appreciate the advice!
|
July 9, 2013, 10:07 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 30, 2010
Posts: 3,513
|
Try some Hoppes 9 or even gun oil with a cloth and see how much of it will wipe off, soaking it in either for a bit might help loosen it up also. For any spots that do not just wipe off try a toothbrush or 0000 steel wool with some gun oil.
By the way, leaving a gun in a leather holster is just about the worst thing you can do for the finish, especialy in hot humid weather inside a car. Even stainless steel will rust in these circumstances. As Jason said if there are any spots where the bluing is gone you can touch it up with cold blue. |
July 9, 2013, 01:24 PM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 12, 2002
Location: The same state as Mordor.
Posts: 5,568
|
Quote:
If it were mine, steel wool to clean it off, then maybe a gunkote or similar surface treatment. Or replace with a stainless or nickel version.
__________________
"As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. " |
|
July 9, 2013, 01:41 PM | #9 |
Staff
Join Date: April 13, 2000
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 41,374
|
Leather is a VERY bad 24x7 store and forget medium, especially in hot, humid climates.
You're a lot better going with a nylon or other man-made material if you want to do long-term storage.
__________________
"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. |
July 9, 2013, 02:11 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 31, 2013
Location: East Texas
Posts: 1,705
|
Sitting in a holster in a truck is bad, coupled with the fact that you live in a very humid area. Then we take into account that the truck gets very hot inside and then you turn on the a/c and get it cold which = condensation.
Gun blue is probably the least protection you can put on a metal and you have to keep an oil barrier over it. I generally use a sheepskin treated with RIG to wipe firearms and it does a pretty good job of creating a moisture barrier over the metal. 0000 steel wool will probably do a good job of removing rust, but cold blue does little to protect the metal. It will help the appearance though. |
July 9, 2013, 06:48 PM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
|
Quote:
__________________
"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson |
|
July 9, 2013, 09:19 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 19, 2009
Posts: 3,283
|
If you're keeping it in a leather holster - that may be the problem. Leather will pick up humidity which in turn will be translated into moisture against the metal. You also don't state how often you clean and wipe the pistol down? Over the last 50 years, I've found that keeping a firearm wiped down and oiled works wonders at preventing rust and damage. The same goes for any handgun carried in a leather holster for CCW - if you're in an area with high humidity or a warm climate where you sweat a lot - you'd best be keeping the handgun wiped down and make sure that your holster isn't retaining moisture - it doesn't take much to cause rust overnight.
__________________
If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63 |
July 9, 2013, 09:29 PM | #13 |
Member
Join Date: November 26, 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 99
|
How is the warranty on that Bersa? Steel wool will get rid of the rust but will also ruin the finish if you don't touch it up. Leather holsters are fine if you clean and oil the gun once in awhile. Looks like you didn't do that... shame on you!
|
July 10, 2013, 06:01 AM | #14 |
Staff
Join Date: April 13, 2000
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 41,374
|
Oh, and this is not a warranty claim.
Simply put, your lack of attention is what caused this, not a manufacturing issue from Bersa.
__________________
"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower. |
July 10, 2013, 11:34 AM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 30, 2010
Posts: 3,513
|
Quote:
|
|
July 10, 2013, 12:27 PM | #16 |
Member
Join Date: June 12, 2013
Posts: 34
|
Whats done is done but like every one says if you carry or store your gun in a holster or in a area which is not climate controlled you should clean and wipe your gun often regardless..I wipe my 1911 down every day and take apart and oil once a week anyways..But that's just Me
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|