Blueing Durability
- Thread starter XD 45acp
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iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns
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- Oct 11, 2011
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I've never regularly carried a blued gun, though I do own one. I'm posting to subscribe, as I'd also like to read some experienced opinions on this particular subject.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
S&W bluing is no more durable or less prone to rust then any other bluing.
If you take care of the gun with proper wipe-downs, clean holster lining without grit & dirt in it, and a couple of coats of Johnson's Paste Floor Wax occasionally?
They can look good for a very long time.
If you carry IWB in 120 degree weather, never wipe finger prints off with a good rust preventive cloth, and store the gun in the sweat damp holster when not carrying it?
It can rust over-night.
This 1950 Target .44 Spl was made in 1955 and carried by a western Kansas lawman before I acquired it 12 years ago.
Yes, it shows holster wear on the high spots and a little rust here and there, but so would anything else after 57 years.
rc
If you take care of the gun with proper wipe-downs, clean holster lining without grit & dirt in it, and a couple of coats of Johnson's Paste Floor Wax occasionally?
They can look good for a very long time.
If you carry IWB in 120 degree weather, never wipe finger prints off with a good rust preventive cloth, and store the gun in the sweat damp holster when not carrying it?
It can rust over-night.
This 1950 Target .44 Spl was made in 1955 and carried by a western Kansas lawman before I acquired it 12 years ago.
Yes, it shows holster wear on the high spots and a little rust here and there, but so would anything else after 57 years.
rc
oldbear
Member
Rcmodel your 1950 4" target looks a heck of a lot better at 57 than I did.
Really keep any blued firearm clean, lubed, and a coat of wax from time to time and you should have years of good service and protection.
Really keep any blued firearm clean, lubed, and a coat of wax from time to time and you should have years of good service and protection.
I have a 637 at present, it goes nightstand, carry, whatever with little maint. I am in and out of hot/cold, ect. I saw a nice 36 blued in a gunshop and am partial to the oldies, but if I have to baby it to keep it from rusting, then it isnt worth it to me. Thats why I was asking.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Nobody said anything about babying it.
But if you want a rust-free blued gun, you have to wipe the salt stained sweat off of them.
Just like you should do with a stainless steel gun, or any other gun.
Kinda like brushing your teeth, or washing the winter road salt off your car if you want your teeth & car to last.
rc
But if you want a rust-free blued gun, you have to wipe the salt stained sweat off of them.
Just like you should do with a stainless steel gun, or any other gun.
Kinda like brushing your teeth, or washing the winter road salt off your car if you want your teeth & car to last.
rc
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Ooooh, a 1950 Target .44Spl...oooooooh........ 
Is that a factory 5" or has it been cut?
I've owned blued guns all my life, spent the first 32yrs of it in Florida and have never worried about my blued guns rusting. All it takes is a reasonable amount of care and all guns should receive at least that. Except the Glock or XD in my truck.
Is that a factory 5" or has it been cut?
I've owned blued guns all my life, spent the first 32yrs of it in Florida and have never worried about my blued guns rusting. All it takes is a reasonable amount of care and all guns should receive at least that. Except the Glock or XD in my truck.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No, I lettered it and it shipped on Dec. 9th. 1955 to Sundre D. Ever, Co. in Seattle WA. in 6 1/2" barrel length.
At some point, it was very very nicely cut to 4 1/2", and made it's way back to Kansas and an old lawmans duty holster.
By chance, or by plan, it was sighted in perfectly at 50 yards with the rear sight screwed down tight using the Skeeter Load.
The other thing I thought was interesting is.
The first prototype .44 Mag S&W gave to Elmer Keith on Jan 27, 1956 was serial #S147220.
This 1950 .44 Spl. is S1466xx.
Only 550+ off!
rc
At some point, it was very very nicely cut to 4 1/2", and made it's way back to Kansas and an old lawmans duty holster.
By chance, or by plan, it was sighted in perfectly at 50 yards with the rear sight screwed down tight using the Skeeter Load.
The other thing I thought was interesting is.
The first prototype .44 Mag S&W gave to Elmer Keith on Jan 27, 1956 was serial #S147220.
This 1950 .44 Spl. is S1466xx.
Only 550+ off!
rc
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Sweet! I thought it looked a little longer than a 4". A nice 4" 1950 Target .44Spl is one of my "grail guns". Model 24-3's are nice but ain't quite the same. Although it just occurred to me that one could have a 4" 24-3 engraved and stocked in ivory for not much more than a minty 1950!
MuleRyder
Member
Interesting...I've never waxed a gun before, just a light coating of oil. I'd like to hear more on waxing a gun.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
jad0110
Member
I live in the southeast, and I don't wax mine, I just wipe them down. And sometimes not every day, and I've never had the slightest rust problem. I once went 2 weeks in August without wiping my blued Ruger Police Service Six with no ill effects.
Some folks today seem to think you can't hold a blued revolver for 10 seconds out a window on a warm muggy day without it rusting to dust.
Some folks today seem to think you can't hold a blued revolver for 10 seconds out a window on a warm muggy day without it rusting to dust.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Some people can't.
I had a friend once that had toxic fingerprints that would take the chrome off a trailer hitch ball in about five minutes.
A Harley muffler took several minutes longer but they use better chrome!
He ruined a new Model 29 S&W the first week he had it with rusty finger prints and stripped blue all over it.
Others, myself included, and apparently you too, have less acid or salt in their sweat and don't have any problems.
Still others live next to the coast and have salt sea air and very high humidity to deal with year round too.
rc
I had a friend once that had toxic fingerprints that would take the chrome off a trailer hitch ball in about five minutes.
A Harley muffler took several minutes longer but they use better chrome!
He ruined a new Model 29 S&W the first week he had it with rusty finger prints and stripped blue all over it.
Others, myself included, and apparently you too, have less acid or salt in their sweat and don't have any problems.
Still others live next to the coast and have salt sea air and very high humidity to deal with year round too.
rc
Cop Bob
Member
RC, I have a buddy that does the same thing, rusts everything he touches... Go to hand him a pistol or a rifle and he will throw his hands up and say "No I'm a Ruster!" sad thing is, he is one of the most skilled machinist and motorcycle mechanics I have ever known... But he is right. where he touches, wipe it,oil it or it will rust!!.
As far as Waxing, I know several that do wax their guns, some duck hunters that are always exposing to rain, wet and mud, Motorcycle Officers, a couple that do, because their pistols get the worst of treatment, and a few revolver match shooters, claim that it cuts down on the powder buildup.. makes sense, I've just personally never done it..
As far as Waxing, I know several that do wax their guns, some duck hunters that are always exposing to rain, wet and mud, Motorcycle Officers, a couple that do, because their pistols get the worst of treatment, and a few revolver match shooters, claim that it cuts down on the powder buildup.. makes sense, I've just personally never done it..
shuvelrider
Member
Carried my first pistol (RugerSingleSix 79) for years as a regular carry in the Illinois woods, high humidity, below 0 degree's, or wading the Vermillion river. Never had any trouble with rust, even with the pistol getting wet in the river or rain. Kept it cleaned and oiled well, sometimes some RIG gun grease applied for the cold weather. Either way, the bluing has held up well. Definite holster wear from the leather Hunter brand I,ve kept it in.
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