Magazine Rust

[Lone_Sheep_Dog]

I bought 3 new Bulgarian AK mags about 4 months ago through mail order. They were sealed in the factory plastic bag and the 3 mags were shrink wrapped together for shipping. I did not open the plastic and stored them away until I opened them last night.
I discovered a few spots of rust on 2 of the mags. I'm guessing that the plastic bags caused this. The mags did have oil on them and the oil is visible in the bags. I thought since they were oiled I could safely keep them in the bags.
After discovering the rust, I opened up some other mags I had in storage. These were pmags in the original bag and m&p 15-22 mags in original bags. These did not appear to have rust on them.
I also have several Mosin accessories in plastic bags that I'm going to take out when I get a chance.
Does keeping parts in plastic bags cause rust?

 

[P5 Guy]

I think condensation in the plastic bag was the culprit.

 

[Dueling1911s]

when in doubt throw in a little desiccant packet in your bags with guns stuff just like they do with beef jerky to keep the moisture controled

 

[moxie]

No, the bags don't cause rust. Any moisture in the bag when it is sealed will cause rust. Try blowing a hair drier on parts before you oil and bag them. Dessicant is a good idea too.

BTW, those Pmags should never rust. Plastic except for the springs.

 

[medalguy]

Well they are Bulgarian mags, made in....what year? It's entirely possible they might have already had a spot of rust when put in the plastic bag, and any condensation just aggravated the rust.

 

[rcmodel]

That was my thought too.

You buy old surplus military mags, they very well might have been rusty before the importer packaged them.

Clean the rust off with 0000 steel wool & oil.
Then wax the snot out of them inside & out with Johnson's Paste Floor Wax.

They won't rust again.
And they won't collect dust & dirt like they will if you oil them.

rc

 

[Lone_Sheep_Dog]

Thanks for the info guys. These AK mags are supposed to be new. The finish on them does look new. There are only a few rust spots on the outside of the mags. I should have opened them up as soon as I got them. I used 0000 steel wool on one last night. The rust and paint came off. I will need to use some touch up paint I guess.

It's strange how new mags sit on store shelves in plastic bags and do not rust. Maybe the shrink wrap around mine caused the rust.

 

[Miked7762]

Before you use any steel wool on the others, try cleaning them with acetone. Oxidized oil can look a lot like rust but will come right off with the proper solvent.

 

[Remllez]

I agree with Mike 7762, especially with surplus mags....seen it many times. Kroil and burlap work very well for cleaning that crud off. Worth a try before steel wool and a repaint.