Pitting on Stealth barrel?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Pitting on Stealth barrel?

Posted: 11/13/2008 10:14:29 AM EDT

I have been noticing some pitting on my Stealth barrel. Is this normal? Why is the stainless showing rust, does it have a finish on it that is actually what is showing the rust?

Sandpaper and gun oil? There is some under the handgaurds too.

Posted: 11/13/2008 10:53:18 AM EDT

[#1]

I'm no expert but it does look like rust. Stainless steel can rust.

Posted: 11/13/2008 10:58:12 AM EDT

[#2]

tag

Posted: 11/13/2008 11:23:11 AM EDT

[#3]

Every time I get my hands on a packet of silica gel dessicant (usually packaged with shoes, electronics, and other items), I toss it in a paper bag in my safe. If you're looking for them, you'd be surprised how many you can pick up. Some items come with a pretty big packet. Whenever I put a gun in a case, I grab a handful of packets and put them in with it. I have a couple of cases that have guns in them all the time, and I glued a few packets between the foam and the case body around the edge. After I finish cleaning a gun, I wipe it down with a little Rem-Oil (this is the only thing I use Rem-Oil for) and thoroughly wipe the excess off with a silicone gun cloth. You can also buy silica gel bulk in cans, but I prefer the packets 'cuz they're convenient and free.

This has kept all my guns rust-free so far.

Hope this helps.

Posted: 11/13/2008 11:42:56 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Sandpaper and gun oil?

Just noticed this. I'd actually start with a terry-cloth rag, light oil, and elbow grease. That should take all but the worst rust off, and yours doesn't look to be too awful bad from the photos. If there are any left after that, then switch the rag and elbow grease out for a 3M Scotch-Brite pad and rub each individual spot just hard enough to remove it. Should take care of it.

Again, hope this helps.

Posted: 11/13/2008 2:43:19 PM EDT

[#5]

Yea, thats rust 100% no doubt about it. I actually didnt realize Stainless could rust until I went elk hunting in some really wet damp weather (imagine that) and when I got home noticed the same exact thing as you picture.

I removed it as quickly as possible, and treated the bbl with some rust prevention spray. Hopefully your bbl isnt damage yet, It doesnt look like its deep or bad enough that it cant be rubbed off without leaving signs it was there.

Best of luck

Posted: 11/13/2008 3:04:03 PM EDT

[#6]

get one of those lead removing rags from a gun shop..

my kimber custom SS was like this under the hogue wraparound grips...

a little elbow grease and the rust was gone...

that doesn't look like pitting but surface rust... just keep it wiped down with some CLP and make sure where you store it is nice and dry...

Posted: 11/13/2008 5:21:59 PM EDT

[#7]

Hard to tell from the pic but it might not be the actual barrel rusting. Many times it's just microscopic pieces of carbon steel from the cutting tools used in machining the stainless. If that is in fact what it is, it will be self limiting and will stop appearing after the carbon steel pieces are "consumed".

ETA I've used Blue Wonder to remove rust from Blued guns and it is amazing, you may want to contact them to see if it is also compatible with stainless.

http://www.bluewonder.us/BlueWonderGunCleaner.html

Posted: 11/14/2008 4:31:14 AM EDT

[#8]

You need some lube sir...

Posted: 11/17/2008 1:28:33 PM EDT

[#9]

How do I get this FF tube off?

Posted: 11/17/2008 2:27:29 PM EDT

[#10]

Strap wrench

Posted: 11/17/2008 7:48:52 PM EDT

[#11]

Oil and steel wool. Thats all you need.

Posted: 11/17/2008 7:51:07 PM EDT

[#12]

this time of year,i always toss some eezox on my barrels.as i do a majority of my shooting during the late fall/winter

Posted: 11/18/2008 4:02:45 PM EDT

[#13]

512-259-1585

Posted: 11/19/2008 9:32:45 AM EDT

[#14]

Dern,
Since you obviously can't take propper care of that upper I think you need to just drop it off at my house, don't worry I'll give a nice home

Posted: 11/20/2008 7:31:08 PM EDT

[#15]

Do you store it in a gun case?

Posted: 11/20/2008 9:01:39 PM EDT

[#16]

Sometimes. Pelican case. I guess I should throw some desiccant in there huh?

Posted: 11/20/2008 9:43:01 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Sometimes. Pelican case. I guess I should throw some desiccant in there huh?

I asked about the case since I have herd a few stories of peoples gear getting some rust spots from being kept long term in cases. The hard cases are great at keeping moisturer out but there also good at locking it in.

Posted: 11/21/2008 5:56:59 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Sometimes. Pelican case. I guess I should throw some desiccant in there huh?

I asked about the case since I have herd a few stories of peoples gear getting some rust spots from being kept long term in cases. The hard cases are great at keeping moisturer out but there also good at locking it in.

Especially if they have that egg-carton foam. It holds oil & water equally well.

Posted: 11/21/2008 9:11:18 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Sometimes. Pelican case. I guess I should throw some desiccant in there huh?

I asked about the case since I have herd a few stories of peoples gear getting some rust spots from being kept long term in cases. The hard cases are great at keeping moisturer out but there also good at locking it in.

Especially if they have that egg-carton foam. It holds oil & water equally well.

Yeah I think the foam type is what makes the difference. The open cell stuff keeps moisture (egg carton/custom cut/precut cubes) and I think the closed cell foam doesn't allow moisture to collect in it. It's the darker shiney foam they offer.

Posted: 11/21/2008 10:09:17 AM EDT

[#20]

Bottom line is STOP STORING YOUR GUNS IN CASES!

Posted: 11/21/2008 5:45:19 PM EDT

[#21]

I work with stainless steel all the time and the only stainless that rusts is the lower quality stuff, not to say the barrels are lower quality, but they use the materials that perform for the function they need it for, not for the rust protection. I am curious though, if you have an aluminum upper and lower, stainless barrel, and the only parts that are steel should be coated with some form of lubrication, then why would it be a bad idea to store your AR in a case? I can see if they were blued steel but almost everything with an AR shouldn't rust.

Posted: 11/22/2008 5:50:36 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
...... then why would it be a bad idea to store your AR in a case?

Because cases trap and hold moisture, and moisture held in close proximity to steel is the enemy. Unless you like rust pits on your firearms. That's what a safe with a dehumidifier are for. Cases are for transporting, safes are for storing. Assuming your house has a relatively low humidity rate, even storing them uncased in the back of a dry closet is better than storing them in a case.

And if mistreated all stainless steel rusts eventually. It is still steel.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Pitting on Stealth barrel?

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