Preventing rust and corrosion in internal parts.

[Rachen]

For many people here who don't completely take down their guns as often, maintaining all parts of the piece is an important issue.
The internal parts of any revolver or rifle is subject to foreign matter getting in, that is water or humidity.
What do you do to keep the internal parts from rusting over time?

Me, I flow generous quanities of Birchwood Casey SHEATH (now called BARRICADE), through the action from time to time. BARRICADE is a long lasting rust preventative, and it flows throughout metal surfaces, finding all minute pores and crevices.

I am curious to how other people here keep their pieces' internal mechanisms free from rust and corrosion.

 

[dwave]

I coat mine in Olive Oil, but my BP guns get broke down around once a month.

 

[eagle24]

I have always completely disassembled mine and cleaned every time I shoot. Just curious about the condition of the internals if you don't do that. Seems like I always have a mess inside and out. I'm not saying it is necessary to completely take the gun apart everytime, but I guess I have been under the assumption that I needed to. Takes me about 30 minutes to get it clean, oiled, and put back together.

 

[Rachen]

I basically use smokeless(sulfurless) black powder now, so I don't have much of a mess, even though I still clean them thoroughly after each range session. However, I store them for long periods of time too, and when I do, water and humidity becomes issue.

I am aware that internal parts are not protected from the elements, and that humidity can get into even the smallest spaces. Therefore, I always flow large quantities of BARRICADE through the action during the storage periods. It not only prevents rust but also lubricates.

I am curious to who actually flow oil through the action at intervals, like I do all the time.

 

[sundance44s]

I shoot mine so often I only do a complete tear down once a year ..here`s what works for me ..After shooting I take the grips and Trigger guard off ..everything gets a hot soapy water wash , I rinse with the water so hot I can`t touch it ..then I blow dry with a hair dryer on hot ... (here`s the part somefolks don`t like) ..you might have guessed , yep WD40 sprayed in the innards and a patch down the bore and cylinder chambers with WD 40 too.. reinstall the grips and trigger guard . I`ve never had a problem with rust in any way , there are as many ways of doing this job as there are people and what works ...works .

 

[oneiron]

The oil that never dries is soy oil. You cah find that in Crisco. It is a mixture of cottonseed oil and soy. Soy is the main oil used in the printing business because of it's properties of remaining wet. That is why ink comes off your newspaper on your hands.
Take your gun apart and clean it with hot water. You can use soap if you want to it makes it faster. Pour very hot water through the barrel. It will dry very fast. then grease it up with Crisco or soy oil. Olive oil will go rancid and loose some of it properties. Soy will not go rancid. The small parts should get the same treatment.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I think my guns get stored under very good conditions so I may not be a good example but I initially detail strip my guns and give every tiny little part a wipedown with WeaponShield and then proceed as usual. After a few months (and usually 600-800 rounds) I'll detail inspect and so far I haven't had any troubles yet.

 

[mykeal]

I clean the action parts on all my guns every 5th or 6th use, and semi-annually regardless of the last use. I use a light gun oil as a rust preventative and have had no problems for 30+ years. I am, however, very careful to not get the oil into areas that see significant amounts of combustion by-products.

If you have reason to believe that water has gotten into your action and don't have the ability to strip the gun fairly soon (a couple of days), use a water displacing fluid such as alcohol to flush the internal areas. It'll remove the water and thus prevent rust for a couple of weeks or longer. Windex with vinegar also works well for that use.

Oils such as gun oil, olive oil or soy oil are excellent at preventing rust but will not necessarily displace the water, so one must be sure the parts and internal areas are dry before using them.

 

[Pancho]

Has anyone tested the virtues of Castor oil? for the internals?

 

[Jay29]

Here is what I do:

1.) As soon as I get home, break down into major parts.
2.) Soak all, except grips, in hot water and O2 dish washing liquid for two hours.
3.) Scrub all w/tooth brush and rise all with hot water.
4.) Dry everything with towel.
5.) Put in oven at 250 degrees for half hour.
6.) While STILL hot, dump ALL in container of CANOLA OIL. Make sure all parts are submerged.
7.) When parts are cool, take out, shake off, wipe down, and put together.

No rust, no nothing. I do this EVERY TIME I shoot my 1862 Pocket Police.