Those Of You Who Live In The PNW

Night Rider said:

And other humid, rainy climates.

How do you maintain your handgun when you have to carry it under rain gear all day?

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Drop the mag, crack it open and wipe it down inside and out at night with an oiled q-tip and an oiled cloth, then lightly lube the necessary spots. Rain, snow, sweat, sprinkler spay, (once or twice even beer and booze breaking up bar fights) all soaked my duty guns at one point or another over the years.

A bit of preventative maintenance at the end of shift when exposed to events like these kept my guns working just fine.

Stay safe.

Colorado doesn't usually get that damp all the time, but I occasionally worry about condensation when bringing it into a warm humid house from the cold outside. After unloading and a general wipedown I put it either on top of the warm stereo or park it on one of those stamped metal bookends I stuck into the baseboard hot water heat lines. It forms a nice little unobtrusive shelf right near a good source of heat, say 150-190°F, and I don't overdue that, timewise.

I keep in mind that most of the time, the internal parts of stainless guns aren't themselves stainless, but for revolvers, short of a complete takedown, not much can be done except to keep them in moderate heat for a longish time and hope.

Humidity right now is 26%.

Terry, 230RN

Found pic of that bookend dealie...

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=192169&d=1386618633

This is why God created stainless steel revolvers.

Seattle here, I don’t, just spray my guns with Rem oil spray every now and then. that’s it. I grease my carry pistols with the AR molly stuff. Slick as snot and don’t come off

I’m from the South and it doesn’t get humid here at All! even the rain is dry

What's "rain gear?"

Seriously though, since I'm now recently retired, I don't have to be out in the rain if I don't want to... but I still do a lot of hiking in the forests, parks and mountains, no matter the weather. I use a light coating of Lucas Extreme gun oil on my carry pieces, wipe them down with a clean rag at the end of the day (maybe a Q-Tip for the inevitable lint in the cracks and crevices).

Never had a firearm rust in all the years I've been living up here (since '94), and I do spend a lot of time out of doors.

Night Rider said:

Those Of You Who Live In The PNW ... And other humid, rainy climates.

How do you maintain your handgun when you have to carry it under rain gear all day?

Click to expand...

Same way as "normal" because "rain gear" keeps it dry.

I live at the coast where it is often 40-100% humidity and here, even stainless steel gun parts rust, from salty ocean spray.

After this long-term corrosion testing where WD-40 Specialist came out on top with no trace of rust, I now use WD-40 Specialist on all of my tools, gun parts, anything that can rust (I use Hoppes #9 solvent for cleaning) - https://dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667

Keep in mind WD-40 Specialist comes in several different formulations and you want the "Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor" rated for 1 year outdoors against corrosion - https://www.amazon.com/300038-Specialist-Long-Term-Corrosion-Inhibitor/dp/B084VNY27P

LiveLife said:

Same way as "normal" because "rain gear" keeps it dry.

I live at the coast where it is often 40-100% humidity and here, even stainless steel gun parts rust, from salty ocean spray.

After this long-term corrosion testing where WD-40 Specialist came out on top with no trace of rust, I now use WD-40 Specialist on all of my tools, gun parts, anything that can rust (I use Hoppes #9 solvent for cleaning) - https://dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667

Keep in mind WD-40 Specialist comes in several different formulations and you want the "Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor" rated for 1 year outdoors against corrosion - https://www.amazon.com/300038-Specialist-Long-Term-Corrosion-Inhibitor/dp/B084VNY27P

• The Formulation In This Corrosion Inhibitor Helps Coat Metal Parts To Lubricate And Protect Against Rust And Corrosion
• Blocks Rust And Corrosion For Up To 2 Years When Used Indoors And For Up To 1 Year When Used Outdoors. The Formula Clings To Metal And Protects It From Air And Moisture
• Recommended For Preventative Maintenance Or For Protection In Corrosive Environments, Such As Hot And Highly Humid Or Cold, And Wintery Atmospheres

View attachment 1104750

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I use wd-40 on my outdoor pad locks, standard stuff. It last all rain season, then a small spay before it rains, good to go again.

I like WD-40 as a protector

+1 on the WD-40 Specialist corrosion inhibitor! Originally from the NW, but been in LA (lower Alabama) for almost 7 years. The humidity here is intense, to say the least. I started using the Specialist on the cnc equipment in our plant a few years ago. The results were so impressive that now all my firearms get a light mist and wipe down with it before going back in the safe, which is in my garage. Zero rust since I started doing that.

Here in TN, my EDC is plastic and SS. Weekley disassemble, wipe down with CLP. (more ofter if cought out in the rain) Havn't had a problem wiht anything rusting. Dehumidifer in the house and another inside the safe has kept the blued steel and wood guns rust free. They do get a CLP wipe down once in a great while.

Just left Washington for Alabama so I’m no stranger to moisture. I never had any issues with rust but I think that’s thanks to not delaying drying them out. When I’d get back from hunting they were broken down ( barrel off shotguns etc) dried with towel or paper towel and left to dry for a bit then some oil. I may try the wd-40 your all talking about. Sounds useful around the shop

Barbaroja said:

Just left Washington for Alabama so I’m no stranger to moisture. I never had any issues with rust but I think that’s thanks to not delaying drying them out. When I’d get back from hunting they were broken down ( barrel off shotguns etc) dried with towel or paper towel and left to dry for a bit then some oil. I may try the wd-40 your all talking about. Sounds useful around the shop

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How’s your life back down south? this time of the year was my favorite there. Well the rain has been delayed here in the PNW, smoke calming down. Last cruise boats have left.

Mark_Mark said:

How’s your life back down south? this time of the year was my favorite there. Well the rain has been delayed here in the PNW, smoke calming down. Last cruise boats have left.

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The Carnival boat left Seattle’s Alaska routes for its summer-in-Australia trips. I thought about taking that 26 day run that just left, it stops in Hawaii and a couple of South Pacific islands before Melbourne.

(No guns would go on that trip for sure.)

Stay safe.

Riomouse911 said:

The Carnival boat left Seattle’s Alaska routes for its summer-in-Australia trips. I thought about taking that 26 day run that just left, it stops in Hawaii and a couple of South Pacific islands before Melbourne.

(No guns would go on that trip for sure.)

Stay safe.

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26 days on a boat with no internet and same food … could not pay me!

Mark_Mark said:

I use wd-40 on my outdoor pad locks, standard stuff. It last all rain season, then a small spay before it rains, good to go again.

I like WD-40 as a protector

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"WD" actually stands for "Water Disperser" to move oxidizing oxygen and water away from anything containing iron that could lead to rust formation.

While I have used "regular" thin/runny WD-40 over the decades to remove/treat surface rust on guns after cleaning with Hoppes #9 solvent, the "regular" WD-40 is no match for salt spray corrosive conditions where I live and shoot now at the coast where even stainless steel gun parts rust.

The "Specialist Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor" version of WD-40 is thicker and clings to metal surface and I spray liberally after cleaning with Hoppes #9 solvent and wipe off excess and gun parts stay rust-free, even when used in the fog/mist of salty ocean air like for the extended 10,000+ round testing of 10/22 and T/CR22 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22-collector-3-break-in.859106/#post-11296626

Not a single one of my gun parts have rusted since I started using WD-40 Specialist (Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor version as I also have silicone based Specialist).

LiveLife said:

"WD" actually stands for "Water Disperser" to move oxidizing oxygen and water away from anything containing iron that could lead to rust formation.

While I have used "regular" thin/runny WD-40 over the decades to remove/treat surface rust on guns after cleaning with Hoppes #9 solvent, the "regular" WD-40 is no match for salt spray corrosive conditions where I live and shoot now at the coast where even stainless steel gun parts rust.

The "Specialist Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor" version of WD-40 is thicker and clings to metal surface and I spray liberally after cleaning with Hoppes #9 solvent and wipe off excess and gun parts stay rust-free, even when used in the fog/mist of salty ocean air like for the extended 10,000+ round testing of 10/22 and T/CR22 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22-collector-3-break-in.859106/#post-11296626

Not a single one of my gun parts have rusted since I started using WD-40 Specialist (Long-Term Corrosion Inhibitor version as I also have silicone based Specialist).

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I’m get some! I’m a sucker for good lube, rust protector, bug spray, window cleaner, cooking spray

Mark_Mark said:

I’m get some! I’m a sucker for good lube, rust protector, bug spray, window cleaner, cooking spray

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You know, Frog Lube came up #2 on the long-term corrosion testing (One Shot was #3) and rumblings after laboratory chemical analysis indicate Frog Lube is coconut oil based (What they used to pack cannons with to prevent rust ). In a snap, oil from car's dipstick is convenient lube when none is available and motor oil is rated to higher pressures/temperatures than our guns will ever experience.

And I use Dawn for bug spray/window cleaner (I worked at a nursery during High School years and dish soap spray killed most flying insects and safe/biodegradable for plants/vegetables).

As for cooking, hard to beat bacon grease/rendered pork fat ... Mmmmmm, bacon (Gonna make me and wife some bacon mushroom omelet right now. )

I live in the desert southwest, if one of my guns gets wet I just leave it outside for a minute or two and they're completely dry........ Inside and out.........

I spent my first 38 years in Oregon - the West side, not the Eastern high desert, unfortunately. I then spent 13 years in Vegas, where I completely forgot about moisture/rust being an issue. Moved to Charlotte, and was shocked to see rust again, lol. After 7 years there we moved to 'Bama, and the rust issue is twice as bad here. I've seen bare metal rust in 3 hours during the summer, and that's inside a building - not out in the elements.

mrcabinet said:

I spent my first 38 years in Oregon - the West side, not the Eastern high desert, unfortunately. I then spent 13 years in Vegas, where I completely forgot about moisture/rust being an issue. Moved to Charlotte, and was shocked to see rust again, lol. After 7 years there we moved to 'Bama, and the rust issue is twice as bad here. I've seen bare metal rust in 3 hours during the summer, and that's inside a building - not out in the elements.

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It was like that when I lived in Northern Virginia, I thought the winters were dry with 40% humidity. After having lived here in the high desert for over 9 years 40% humidity is almost oppressive.........

kje54 said:

It was like that when I lived in Northern Virginia, I thought the winters were dry with 40% humidity. After having lived here in the high desert for over 9 years 40% humidity is almost oppressive.........

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5:30 PM MDT Saturday 24 Sept 2022. Humidity just got all the way up to 14%. Gotta watch out the guns don't dry out and shrivel up.

Terry hides from scornful mob bearing pitchforks. Not dark enough for torches yet.

REF (Humidity by the hours starting from 5PM today):

Relative Humidity (%) 14 16 17 21 24 26 28 30(< midnight) 34 35 41 44 46

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapCli...105.1675&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical (Current for when clicked.)

the Most Humid place on Earth is Hong Kong in the Summer time. My wife had work there for 1 month… I tell you WHAT!!! sweat in places only God knows about

bet you boys in Nam got better sweat stories

I'm as pnw as it gets, home base is nw washington, 3 hours west of Seattle, 1 mile from saltwater. I've spent the last 3 weeks driving around the country, and I've visited probably 25 states in that time.

First off, everything east of the rockies is harder on guns than Washington. Y'all have humidity. Nw WA doesn't. I'm 40 years old and the first time I experienced real humidity was this summer in the south.

Y'all think the nw has rain? I've been caught in a few downpours the last few weeks that make anything the nw has look like mist. It doesn't rain in the nw like it rains everywhere else. It drizzles, but we don't get the downpours everywhere else does. I'm not talking just about the south, I got caught in rain in Wyoming that was barely drivable with the wipers on high. The difference is, when it rains where I'm from its always cold, below 65. The humid hot rain is what will rust up guns badly.

If you can keep a gun rust free in say, Virginia or the Carolinas, you can keep a gun rust free in the nw.

Personally, I RIG my guns yearly or so and the only time I've ever had rust issues was when I lived in an RV and couldn't keep a constant temperature, allowing condensation to form...and even then I only had freckles here and there that wiped off without a trace....and that was after an entire winter.

I have seen badly rusted guns, but those were either boat guns used to kill seals that got into fishing nets and were kept on saltwater boats 24/7, or guns kept in barns or outside shops with no heat and no care whatsoever for extended periods of time.

230RN said:

5:30 PM MDT Saturday 24 Sept 2022. Humidity just got all the way up to 14%. Gotta watch out the guns don't dry out and shrivel up.

Terry hides from scornful mob bearing pitchforks. Not dark enough for torches yet.

REF (Humidity by the hours starting from 5PM today):

Relative Humidity (%) 14 16 17 21 24 26 28 30(< midnight) 34 35 41 44 46

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapCli...105.1675&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical (Current for when clicked.)

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I lived in El Paso TX for a while, the hygrometer would often read in the negative humidity range........ Used to joke about tossing a class of water in the air and watching it evaporate before it hits the ground.