Corrosive ammo + stainless steel + not cleaning for a few days = ?

Bernie Lomax · January 1, 2011, 04:58 AM

Well, it looks like I've got a problem.

I just got done ringing in the New Year with a few blanks fired from my revolver, a cherry stainless steel Speed Six that was barely used and in pristine condition when I got it. Problem is, I just noticed that these blanks are corrosive. I had assumed that they were was non-corrosive, since I thought that all domestically-manufactured ammo has been non-corrosive for decades now, but I guess I was wrong. Unfortunately, I don't have a bore brush to clean with and can't get one for a few days, at least.

Anyway, my question is this: if I leave it for a few days (maybe even a week) without cleaning, is it going to do any substantial damage to my gun? I know that stainless steel is not totally impervious to rust, but it is much more resistant, correct? Am I screwed or not? (Please tell me I'm not.)

TIA for any input anyone can give me.

Work2Shoot · January 1, 2011, 05:24 AM

Windex, paper towel and sishkabob skewer for the time being.

Bernie Lomax · January 1, 2011, 06:50 AM

BTT

Jim Watson · January 1, 2011, 10:37 AM

What, you don't believe Work?

The corrosive compound is potassium chloride and you can get chloride stress cracking even in stainless, especially the free-machining stuff they make gun barrels out of. Find something to wet clean and dry it with right away.

brickeyee · January 1, 2011, 11:06 AM

It is stain-less, not stain-none.

Chloride is one of the common things that can cause many grades of stainless to corrode.

Sweat or chlorate (corrosive) primers are a couple common cources.

It often appears as a white roughening on the surface of the staiuless.

Some hot water (get the gun as hot as the water to aid faster drying).

Keep in mind that some action parts may NOT be stainless (it makes lousy springs).

Work2Shoot · January 1, 2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie Lomax

BTT

Was my idea no good to you? It's utilizing items that everyone has and the ammonia in the winded will neutralize the corrosive primers. Then some soapy water.

brickeyee · January 1, 2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

the ammonia in the winded will neutralize the corrosive primers.

Ammonia may be able to do a number of thingds, but "netralizing" the chloride ion is not one of them.

The water carrying the ammonia will help wash the chloride away though (and the surfactants aid in getting through any oil on the surface)..

drail · January 1, 2011, 07:57 PM

It should be cleaned daily when fired. If you KNOW the ammo was corrosive it really needs to be taken care of. The fact that it's "stainless" really doesn't mean anything when it comes to corrosiuon on a gun. It only means it is "resistant" to the sweat from your hands or a little bit of rain and even then I have seen guys who can rust stainless in an hour or two after just holding it in their sweaty hand.

January 1, 2011, 04:58 AM	#1
Bernie Lomax Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2010 Posts: 178	Corrosive ammo + stainless steel + not cleaning for a few days = ? Well, it looks like I've got a problem. I just got done ringing in the New Year with a few blanks fired from my revolver, a cherry stainless steel Speed Six that was barely used and in pristine condition when I got it. Problem is, I just noticed that these blanks are corrosive. I had assumed that they were was non-corrosive, since I thought that all domestically-manufactured ammo has been non-corrosive for decades now, but I guess I was wrong. Unfortunately, I don't have a bore brush to clean with and can't get one for a few days, at least. Anyway, my question is this: if I leave it for a few days (maybe even a week) without cleaning, is it going to do any substantial damage to my gun? I know that stainless steel is not totally impervious to rust, but it is much more resistant, correct? Am I screwed or not? (Please tell me I'm not.) TIA for any input anyone can give me. __________________ "People in Arizona carry guns. You better be careful about who you are picking on."--Detective David Ramer, Chandler police spokesman

January 1, 2011, 06:50 AM	#3
Bernie Lomax Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2010 Posts: 178	BTT __________________ "People in Arizona carry guns. You better be careful about who you are picking on."--Detective David Ramer, Chandler police spokesman

January 1, 2011, 05:24 AM	#2
Work2Shoot Junior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 4	Windex, paper towel and sishkabob skewer for the time being.

January 1, 2011, 10:37 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	What, you don't believe Work? The corrosive compound is potassium chloride and you can get chloride stress cracking even in stainless, especially the free-machining stuff they make gun barrels out of. Find something to wet clean and dry it with right away.

January 1, 2011, 11:06 AM	#5
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	It is stain-less, not stain-none. Chloride is one of the common things that can cause many grades of stainless to corrode. Sweat or chlorate (corrosive) primers are a couple common cources. It often appears as a white roughening on the surface of the staiuless. Some hot water (get the gun as hot as the water to aid faster drying). Keep in mind that some action parts may NOT be stainless (it makes lousy springs).

January 1, 2011, 07:57 PM	#8
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	It should be cleaned daily when fired. If you KNOW the ammo was corrosive it really needs to be taken care of. The fact that it's "stainless" really doesn't mean anything when it comes to corrosiuon on a gun. It only means it is "resistant" to the sweat from your hands or a little bit of rain and even then I have seen guys who can rust stainless in an hour or two after just holding it in their sweaty hand.