Tarnishing copper jackets

[Robert B]

Just wondering why my Speer Gold Dots are tarnishing so quickly in my revolver cylinder. I have not handled them much. I cleaned the chambers with lead away patches then MPro7 then dry patches. They ride in a leather holster. I live in air conditioning in AZ. My gun safe has dessicant. There is some nitro solvent and gun oil in the safe where the gun sits at night. Any ideas?

 

[dprice3844444]

residual fumes from different components.if you have some tarnx,or copper/silver polish,you can clean them up.a little wax will keep them shiny

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Dissimilar metal electrolytic corrosion maybe?

Woody

 

[jhb]

Does it cause any harm? i didnt think it would......but maybe im thinking wrong?

 

[Reloadron]

Don't know how long you call quickly but copper will tarnish and there are many things that can contribute to how fast the tarnishing process takes. Just normal oxygen in the air contributes followed by dust as dust contains particulates of God knows what, then there is moisture in the air and fumes from any chemicals. The tarnish itself is just a thin layer of corrosion much like we see happen to aluminum and other alloys exposed to air. Why your bullets tarnish quickly could be anyone's guess. It won't hurt anything.

Per dprice3844444, you can prevent or slow the process by applying a thin coat of wax or a polish made for copper. A clean shinny bullet is a happy bullet!

Ron

 

[moxie]

I would leave them alone. It's not a problem.

 

[Reloadron]

When your copper jackets and brass cases look like this....


Then you have a problem.

Ron

 

[ku4hx]

Silver tarnishes because of the hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) in the air. It's too small a concentration for us to smell but it's there. The exact same type process happens with bullets and casings.

Almost all metals chemically combine in similar fashion, some more quickly than others, and it can't really be prevented. Slowed maybe, but not prevented. There really are no "rust proof" coatings, just "rust resistant" and rust is the result of a chemical process iron oxidation.

The reason gold stays bright is because it is very resistant to oxidation. That's why it's used on electronic component contacts.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Discoloration (tarnishing) of copper can be caused by a number of things, including (but not limited to), oxygen in the air, finger oils, and atmosphere contaminates/pollution such as sulpher.

In general, tarnish is an esthetic issue, not a functional issue.

Signs of corrosion or physical degradation, however, are important things to look for. Metal which shows signs of swelling, flaking, cracking, etc are indicators that the item under question should not be used.

So, as long as all you're seeing is tarnish (discoloration), it's not likely to be a cause for concern. And you can always use that as an excuse to pop off the rounds at the range so you can replace them with new ones.