Caring for case hardened finish?

[PlayboyPenguin]

Okay, I am getting conflicting reports on how to care for a case hardened finish of my new Ruger Vaquero. Should I oil it? Should I not oil it? How should I clean it? What should I clean it with? How should I store it? Etc...
Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Clean it with any standard gun cleaning solvent. For storage, I cover mine in oil. I simply take a rag soaked in Hoppe's oil and wipe every surface on the gun, then put it up hoding it by the grips.

Color case hardened guns rust as easily as blued guns, but you can't just have 'em reblued.

 

[Fly320s]

What does your manual recommend?

 

[Old Fuff]

Your Ruger frame isn't case hardened. It's just colored to make it look like it was, and I understand it's prone to rust. You could keep it well oiled or greased down, but I prefer to give it a coat of good paste wax - easier to handle that way. There are special waxes for this purpose, but Johnson's Paste Floor Wax works fine, and is inexpensive.

Sometime, if you get a chance, look at an older Smith & Wesson hammer and trigger, and you'll see what real color case-hardening looks like.

 

[Werewolf]

I understand it's prone to rust.

That's an understatement in the extreme.

Breakfree CLP is the only thing I've found that consistently works on the Ruger case hardened finish.

If you shoot the thing regularly just wipe the metal down with CLP prior to putting your Ruger away. If you plan to store it for more than a month then a liberal dose on the metal (leave it wet) and a paper towel soaked in CLP and wrapped around the Ruger will protect it.

That's the only thing that keeps my two from rusting.

 

[rangerruck]

keep it waxed or coated, and never let it set for any time in sunlight, it will look like you wearing a black t shirt, after you have been doing pt in the sun for about an hour!