[usnavymasterchief]

After much deliberation, I bought a new Taurus Mod.651 Protector .357Mag. This is the one that has their "Zero Profile Hammer" which can be either D/A or S/A. It seems like a decent gun but I'll have more to say after a trip to the range. It weighs 25oz empty which should help to tame the recoil a little.
I got a really good deal on it, I mean a really good deal. that I just could not refuse, BUT it has a major drawback in my minds eye. That being that it is blue (which explains the good deal) and I live in Florida and I carry IWB. Which brings me to my question: Is there a protective product available which I can easily apply that will act as a rust inhibitor? In Florida we sweat a lot and I'd like to find something to protect my gun and still keep the nice blue finish. I wipe it down with a silicone cloth but it leaves streaks and finger prints easily. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. John

[Dval]

Since there were no other replies, you might check out this link to get a general idea, or do a search for Eezox to get more info. I have used it for years with no problems.

http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/gz-rust.html

[SouthpawShootr]

If you continue to do as you are doing now. You shouldn't have a problem. The silicone cloths leave a protective film on the guns surface. That's the streaks you are seeing. Wipe down at the end of each day and you should be fine. Do not store it off-body in a leather holster. Kiss of death for blued finishes. I haven't carried a high gloss blued gun in a long time, but I did have a Taurus 85 blued that I was quite fond of. Some summer days, my leather would be soaked through. When I got home, I separated the gun and the holster. Wiped the gun with a lubricating cloth, then let the holster dry. I might add, I had a second holster exactly the same, so I could switch off. Carried for about 5 years like this before switching to stainless autos. I recently got a Rig Rag from brownells that is basically a natural sheepsking with a lubricant soaked in. All my blued guns get wiped with this.

[usnavymasterchief]

Thanks Guys, I really appreciate your tips. I've read in Alaska, direct opposite of Florida, that they polish their blued firearms with Johnson's paste wax. Guess I'll continue on with the silicone cloth and gun oil.
John

[Biff]

John-

Try a good carnauba or silicone based wax. That is what many use here in Alaska to weatherproof blued rifles. Stay away from auto waxes with polishing agents- they contain abrasives (mild rubbing compound) which will remove blueing eventually. Johnson's past wax is good.
For the ultimate in rust protection look into electroless nickel finishing or hard chrome plating. Cost is about 80-150 dollars. Both slick up the action as well. Hard chrome is the most scratch resistant finish I have ever seen.

[Kentucky Rifle]

A friend of mine (good ol' boy too, RJ Hedley), told me to buy a "Rig-Rag". I bought one at a gun show for $7.00. I also bought a spare tube of "Rig" to replenish the Rig-Rag. I wipe this on my blue AND stainless pistols, rifles, and shotguns. I've not had a bit of rust on them. Plus, it makes them look great!
RJ knows his stuff. My "pocket pistols" aren't greasy, either.

KR

[happy old sailor]

have had good results with Corrosion X.

hadn't heard of rig-rag. will be getting one for the quick wipe offs until
a more thorough job can be done. sounds like just the thing for the gun bag.

[DDGator]

If you ever give up on the blue finish, but love the gun, consider having it refinished by Bob Cogan over at Accurate Plating and Weapontry in Safety Harbor (near Clearwater). He is well known for all kinds of plating and coatings -- I plan to have him do one of my guns soon and will report on the outcome.