stainless steel encore barrel rust

[bdg146]

I purchased a .204 Ruger barrel for my Encore almost a year ago. I was living at my cabin for a short time, and it spend most of it's time in a closet. Upstairs though, so not in the cool, damp basement. I took the barrel off yesterday to put my 20 gauge slug barrel on, and I noticed quite a bit of rust where the barrel attaches to the stock. Specifically on the bottom of the block where the pin goes through. There was a fairly thick coating of it there.

Any idea why it rusted so bad? I wiped it off as best I could, but the metal is still stained. I always thought that stainless steel could rust, but I always thought it was much more resistant to it than that. I didn't have it out in the rain or anything.

It does worry me that the inside of the barrel is rusted too. I tried to take a look in it, but it's kind of hard to see in the small hole. Guess I can just run a patch through it to see if she's rusted.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Do you happen to have any hydrochloric acid around? It's commonly sold as "muriatic acid" in home improvement stores and is used to clean sidewalks and stonework. If left open, the vapors are extremely corrosive. Its about the only thing I can think of that can quickly rust ferrous materials.

Also do you know what alloy of stainless steel it is? Stainless steels used in firearms are often much less rust resistant than those used in consumer cutlery. It means it's less maintenance than carbon steels, but not "no maintenance". If the wood got moist, then chances are where it contacted the steel, it's kept it damp all this time.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

the differance is 309 vs. 316
309 stainless is much cheaper
but will over time will "rust"
do you have this stainless barrell on a carbon steele bottom end?if so youre seeing the carbon steele rust spill over on the stainless

no matter if your rifle is made from carbon or stainless in my book it needs a coat of clp once a every 4-6 weeks (remember to unload it for safety+the oil your spaying all over it will kill the primer)spray it down wipe it down your good to go!

 

[ilike223s]

I used to have some rust on my hand guns and rifles.No matter what I used.untill I started using EEZOX,no more rust,
Some dont care for the smell.but it doesnt bother me,as long as it keep rust of my steel, stainless or reg steel.

 

[bdg146]

No chemicals around the firearm. And the stock is synthetic, so moisture from wood isn't the culprit.

I'm not sure exactly what carbon steel is, but the bottom end of my encore has no rust on it. The only rust is on the barrel itself.

I guess I will just have to take a little more care. I always wipe down my rifles and put a little gun oil on them, but I guess that wasn't enough. Thing is, I've never really had a problem before this. Lesson learned I suppose.