Truck guns and corrosion...

[MTMilitiaman]

So I have bit of a conundrum here trying to select a truck gun. The problem is that Montana is kind of famous for its changing climatic conditions. The result is that there is typically a good deal of moisture and condensation build up. I didn't assume this would be that much of a problem, but the factory finishes on most guns, I am discovering, just can't cut it. My SKS, my 10/22, and my Mossberg 590 have all showed superficial rust very quickly. I even rusted my Glock 19. All those pictures of functioning Glocks pulled out of nasty salt water after being submerged in the aftermath of Katrina, ect, I didn't know Glocks and their much touted Tennifer treatment could rust. But apparently even a Glock will succumb to a couple months of near constant moisture. I had the 19 in a holster zip tied to the metal support of my truck seat, down near my strong side ankle. The muzzle barely touches the carpet, which esp this time of year, with snow melt and such, is nearly constantly damp. I pulled the pistol out of the holster last week and instantly noticed superficial rust of the first inch or so of the muzzle end of the slide and barrel. Even more disconcerting was the pitting on the end of the muzzle. The integrity of the crown has not been damaged yet, but with the high pressure, super heated gas and flash pounding now on exposed, bare metal, I really think it's only a matter of time, and I need to invest in a new G19 barrel. Is anyone else having this much of a problem finding a gun that can withstand this type of abuse, or does anyone have any suggestions to fix it.

 

[Drail]

It's a Glock. Who cares? They drop those things out of helos and run over them with tanks and they still work. What you need is a wire brush and some Krylon. (it's a joke kids) Oh, and lose the holster zip. Seriously. That's what's making it rust. Keeping it in a truck in Montana in a damp case IS ABUSE. But no matter how funky looking it gets I'll bet it still works every single time the trigger is pulled. It's a Glock. You need to come up with some dry storage if you don't want it to rust. And if you don't want your truck to rust away get that carpet out of there. I live in Indiana and drive a Jeep. The carpet got pulled the first winter I drove it. (LOTS of Jeeps in Indiana and none of them have carpet in them) The carpet will stay damp all winter long and raise the humidity level inside the truck to the point where any steel will rust very quickly.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Spritz with oil, seal in ziplock, stuff under seat, and roll on.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Thanks guys. I hadn't considered removing the carpet from the vehicle.

Drail, I am not concerned about the pistol functioning. No doubt it will. But corrosion on the end of the muzzle, down to bare metal, disturbs me because it is dangerously close to damaging the crown. I am concerned that with use, the muzzle flash will erode around the exposed metal until it damages the crown and degrades accuracy and ballistic performance.

What about the holster and zip ties is causing it to rust though?

 

[Drail]

Any "damage" to the crown from rust or powder gases isn't going to do any significant damage to the barrel (only cosmetic). At least not any that can't be fixed with a piece of 320 grit wet or dry. To really damage a crown you need to drop the barrel on pavement or something rough and dent one side and kick up a nasty burr or chip a piece out. But as to keeping the gun from rusting - keep it OUT of any type of case/holster/rug that can absorb and hold moisture next to the metal. If you have to keep it in a rug for protection from banging round place the gun inside a heavy duty freezer bag inside the rug. Pad the inside of the box with closed closed foam (sleeping bag pad) And keep it oiled. Not dripping wet, but make sure you have a thin coat on everything and inside the bore. You'll need to check it at least once a week. The best protectant I have found is Eezox or Breakfree Collector - they will not evaporate away or turn into a gummy varnish over time. Apply a thin coat with a small brush and really get it down in the nooks and crannies. Blot any excess off with a rag but leave a good film. My experience with trucks/Jeeps etc. in the winter time is that if snow is constantly being tracked into the cab it's going to create a very damp environment. I don't even keep tools in the cab in that environment. You might get by with a heavy duty plastic toolbox behind the seat with the oiled gun inside. If you could mount the box up away from the floor it would help. Or a small nylon gear bag or pack. Camouflage the bag - make it look like it's full of burger wrappers and trash or something. But you're still asking a lot for it not to have rust issues. If I absolutely had to leave a weapon in a vehicle I would use something that I really didn't care too much about. Besides the rust issue you have to worry about theft (maybe not where you live - I don't know) I have had too many vehicles broken into and lost stuff. Good luck.

 

[USAF_Vet]

How well would one of those silicon impregnated gun socks work in that environment?
Its not as easily accessed as it would be in a holster, but it might help protect the gun from the environment.

 

[JTQ]

The muzzle barely touches the carpet, which esp this time of year, with snow melt and such, is nearly constantly damp.

I live in Indiana and drive a Jeep. The carpet got pulled the first winter I drove it. (LOTS of Jeeps in Indiana and none of them have carpet in them) The carpet will stay damp all winter long and raise the humidity level inside the truck to the point where any steel will rust very quickly.

I suppose I can see pulling out the carpet in a Jeep since it may spend quite some time with no top on the vehicle, but I don't think I'd pull the carpet out of my truck. While I'm in Florida now, I grew up in NE Ohio, and lived in northern Maine for several years. Quality floor mats will go a long way to keep your carpet dry.

http://www.weathertech.com

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Running the AC will keep the interior dry when it comes to wet carpet from tracking in snow. I rarely every turn the AC off in my truck.

 

[bhk]

How about putting it in the glove compartment or console. I have keep a variety of guns (including Glocks) in kydex holsters in my console for years in a state with much more humid conditions than Montana. Zero rust, ever.

 

[ms6852]

Spray your truck gun with HD Corrosion X, problem solved.

 

[Old Shooter]

Can you rig your holster so that the muzzle is not touching the carpet?

Center console or glove box works for me

 

[Ramone]

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...d=-1&searchKeyword=corrosion+bag#.Uwjdovk7tcY

there ya go

 

[MagnunJoe]

Dear friends, I live in Miami, Fl. There is no place in this country hotter and more humid than here year round. I keep my Glock 19 in the glove compartment and sometimes I forget that she's there. I shoot her once a year, clean he, oil her with break free and she's good to go for another year.

 

[sig228]

Keep it in a leather holster?