Why bluing?

[waldonbuddy]

I was just wondering why a lot of guns are blued? Every rifle, or pistol that I have owned which have been blued has rusted just sitting around the house.

Therefore, why was bluing ever put on guns? I know it looks good, but other than that I cant understand.

Anyone have an answer?
thanks.

 

[hso]

It's purpose is to reduce the potential for rust by creating a pasivation layer.

 

[rcmodel]

Because there was no better way to finish a gun when bluing was invented. It has since became a traditional firearms finish well liked by many.

If your blued guns are rusting just setting around the house, you need to learn how to take better care of them.

rc

 

[EddieNFL]

It has since became a traditional firearms finish well liked by many.

I wouldn't consider a Python with any other finish...well, actually I would, but that deep blue finish...WOW!

 

[waldonbuddy]

"If your blued guns are rusting just setting around the house, you need to learn how to take better care of them."

Now thats not fair. I do take care of all of my rifles taking them down to clean after EVERY shooting.

I think another on this forum just a few weeks ago had problems with a blued Kimber 1911 that kept rusting even in his safe, now thats not protection. He stated that he oiled it sometimes twice a day.

My AR10 and MSAR are Parkerized, and I've had no issues with them rusting, so the issue of rust isn't that I don't take care of my guns.

Thanks for the replies.....also, I agree that bluing does look great, but I just was wondering why it was used which was explained that it was because there was nothing better when bluing was invented.

 

[rcmodel]

What you oil it with has more to do with it then how often, or how much you oil it.

Some great lubricating oils offer very little to no rust protection.

See this about that.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=...nic__Knowing_the_Limits_of_Rust_Preventatives

rc

 

[CoRoMo]

another on this forum just a few weeks ago had problems with a blued Kimber 1911 that kept rusting even in his safe

Did you read the whole thread? The fabric in his safe was saturated with moisture.

 

[rcmodel]

I might also add that some people have toxic sweat that would rust the chrome off a trailer hitch ball.

If you are one of those folks, I don't know what to tell you other then wipe down guns with a rust inhibitor rag every time you touch them.

rc

 

[kingmt]

The safes sometimes cause a moister problem but putting a light bulb inside to barn will help. If you rub your blued guns down 1-2 times a day you would rub the bluing off in no time. I have a few that the bluing has been rubbed off & they weren't rubbed down near that much.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I doubt you will lose much bluing to an oily rag. I use oiled steel wool on mine without damage to the bluing.

 

[mljdeckard]

And there's more to preventing rust than oiling. If you live in a place with that much moisture, you have to take steps to control the climate. You can buy agents and appliances to do this. It's not a big problem where I live, but when I lived in Monterey for a year, all of my kids' bikes rusted to the point I didn't want to mess with them in less than a year.

Bluing is much more protection than bare metal, but I prefer the feel and look of parkerizing.

 

[wishin]

Why bluing?

Whatever the reason, it sure makes a gun pretty!

 

[Walkalong]

Because bluing is beautiful, when done right.

 

[Offfhand]

Be reasonable, if your gun are rusting just sitting around the house the answer is obvious...GET ANOTHER HOUSE!

 

[rmfnla]

I agree with the original sentiment, especially since I grew up (and learned to shoot) in Miami (FLA, not OH ).

I remember thinking the first S&W stainless revolvers were the answer to my prayers, except I couldn't afford them.

Nowadays there are lots of alternatives; I can't remember the last blued gun I bought.

 

[waldonbuddy]

Amen rmfnla. I don't buy blued weapons of any kind.

And, yes I did read the post all the way through about the safe that the Kimber was stored in had been sitting in a barn, and was filled with moisture. It doesn't change the fact that bluing just doesn't cut it for preventing rust.

I'm not bashing anyone who likes bluing, but it seems to be one of the poorest things going to protect the finish of a weapon.

I live in the southeast, where there is a lot of humidity year round so its stainless and Parkerized guns for me...........thanks for all of the answers and replies.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Bluing doesn't protect the gun's finish,it IS the gun's finish and needs to BE protected.

 

[wishin]

I should have added that my very pretty blued pistol is a Colt series 70 National Match, Gold Cup 1911. I've had it about 25 years and it looks like new. All I do is wipe it down with oil a couple of times a year, which is usually when I'll put 50 rounds through it at the range. It's stored in a plastic gun box without desiccant.

 

[LibShooter]

To me, blue steel and walnut are just what guns are SUPPOSED to look like. I have guns in black and plastic, stainless steel even gold plating... but they seem less real.

BTW... I have two blued guns over 50 years old with no rust. One of them sat in my dad's gun case for at least 7 years without a being touched, cleaned or oiled. Just sitting there in a plain cabinet with no climate control.

 

[orionengnr]

A few years ago I bought an S&W M-17 that was manufactured in 1955. It had never been refinished and, minor muzzle wear and turn ring aside, looked as good as it did the day it left Springfield, MA. (Wish I'd kept it.) I have several S&W revolvers built in the 70s and 80s that have a very deep, shiny blue. Each is shot regularly, carried in varying degrees and wiped down on occasion. All are holding up quite well.

My long guns are fewer in number and get less use and handling. They get wiped down whenever they are handled--maybe twice a year. None of them show any sign of rust. Bluing, if done correctly and maintained reasonably well*, is a very durable finish.

* "reasonably well" means (to me) wiped down with Eezox and stored in a safe with a GoldenRod. If you have never seen or heard of Eezox, read one or both of the following. After reading these tests I ahve been using it (and nothing else) for the past four years or so. Not easy to find (although I recently found it in the Midway catalog), not cheap, but worth it.

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

 

[John Wayne]

I like the look of a blued gun, but it is about the worst possible finish for a utilitarian piece.

It still appeals to me because you can have a darker finish (blued) that still looks nice. As it wears, it gains character.

 

[War Squirrel]

Parkerizing should be an option on everything.

 

[mcdonl]

I might also add that some people have toxic sweat that would rust the chrome off a trailer hitch ball.

This is why I stopped IWB carrying. I now carry OWB with a tucked in T-Shirt.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I much prefer blued guns over stainless(except for handguns,then it's a toss-up) and don't want a plated gun at all unless it's black chrome. I love a highly polished blue but prefer a matte blue on all of my hunting rifles. I don't have a rusting problem and NEVER touch the metal barehanded or allow anyone to touch them barehanded.

 

[rmfnla]

"I might also add that some people have toxic sweat that would rust the chrome off a trailer hitch ball."

That's a good point. I used to carry a nicked 1911 in Miami and the side next to my body would get dull after a few days. I could shine it up pretty easily with any decent polish but I always worried about wearing through the plating.

I picked that .45 up for $75 at a pawn shop on Flagler Street; wish I still had it!