Vaquero Stainless frame rust experience? (Pics added)

[BigShep85]

Vaquero Stainless frame rust experience? (Pics added)(update)

Hello all.
I picked up a new vaquero addition today that came with an extra grip frame.
The grip frame has some "substantial" rust spots on it. Not Anything that probably could not be sanded but more than I would expect with a stainless grip frame. There are a couple even out on the polished surface. Even if the spots were sanded it would leave marks. The rust seems to be "thick" bubbled up maybe. I will get a couple pictures later.
Anybody have any experience with this?
I have emailed Ruger but no response yet.

 

[BigShep85]

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[BigShep85]

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[BigShep85]

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[Ironman615]

I have seen stainless discolor, and I've even seen it pit very slightly. This looks very much like true rust, something you expect from carbon steel. Stainless has to have a fairly high nickel content and may have some chromium. Those two components are what make it rust resistant. I would be tempted to see if that grip frame would take bluing. If it does, it's not stainless. Ruger is probably your best bet for an authoritative evaluation.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Stainless has to have a fairly high nickel content and may have some chromium. Those two components are what make it rust resistant.

Howdy

It is the content of Chromium in the steel that determines if it is 'stainless' (Corrosion Resistant), not Nickel. Chromium content must be a minimum of 10.5% by mass for the alloy to be considered Stainless. Chromium forms a transparent passivation layer of Chromium Oxide which blocks atmospheric oxygen from attacking the steel. No 'stainless' steel is truly rustproof, they are all classified as Corrosion Resistant. The higher the Chromium content, the more corrosion resistant.

I have two stainless 'original model' Ruger Vaqueros. I have had a couple of small specs of dark stain form on them after shooting Black Powder if they are not cleaned right away, but never bubbling orange rust like that.

 

[45_auto]

In my experience it's not uncommon on poorly maintained stainless guns.

Local pawnshop had a S&W M629 with very similar rusting and pitting all over the top strap, cylinder and frame not too long ago. Based on the price, they were very proud of it. Someone still bought it within a couple of days.

Several years ago I bought a S&W M60 for a very good price because it had a couple of small rust spots on the top strap and cylinder. They cleaned off easily but left small pits in the metal. Didn't bother me because it's a shooter. I'll post pics when I get home if I remember.

I've seen MANY stainless Ruger Old Armies (black powder) badly corroded after sitting uncleaned for just a day or two after firing black powder or Pyrodex. Possibly percussion caps are still corrosive (I'm not sure), the corrosion is usually VERY bad on the hammer and back of the cylinder.

 

[SwampWolf]

Stainless steel firearms might better be called Stain Less, because you can never rule out rust if even a s/s gun isn't given at least a modicum of care in terms of being wiped off after use with a rag treated with a suitable preservative. All that said, I've never seen a s/s firearm rust in the way the op's has. I am interested in what Ruger has to say about it.

 

[BigShep85]

Talked to Ruger just now and of course they said "send it in and we will fix it"
Odd thing though came up during the conversation with the CS rep
He said "so it is a new model blaxkhawk"
I said no it is an old model 45 vaquero.
He says but it says blackhawk on the firearm somewhere.
So I again corrected him. He said that it told him on the computer that the serial number brought up a new model blackhawk.
Must be because the new vaqueros are on smaller frames and in order to repair they must use new model blackhawk parts.
I have to ship on my dime but thats ok I guess

 

[CraigC]

I've seen MANY stainless Ruger Old Armies (black powder) badly corroded after sitting uncleaned for just a day or two after firing black powder or Pyrodex.

If it was a stainless Old Army, it took a lot more than a day or two to become "badly corroded". Even carbon steel doesn't rust in a day or two.

I said no it is an old model 45 vaquero.

The confusion probably arose because the term "Old Model" is Rugerese for those single actions produced before 1973. So there is no such thing as an "Old Model" Vaquero. It's simply "Vaquero" and "New Vaquero", both utilize the New Model action.

 

[BigShep85]

Possibly craigC but he wouldn't show a vaquero at all for the serial number, only new model blackhawk

 

[AK103K]

Even carbon steel doesn't rust in a day or two.

With the right (wrong) ammo and conditions, its only a matter of hours. "Days" would be a bad thing.