Rust on my single six hammer

[JHZR2]

Boo! Haven't had this out in a while. Seen very little use but still a very fun shot.

So imagine my sadness when I saw this rust:

Sorry photobucket killed the clarity of these pics.

I've kept it in the original plastic bag, in its original box, figuring that the bag has some oil/inhibitor to it beyond whatever I put on it last.

Also saw this, no idea what it is.

Maybe some grease remnant, but no idea what/how it is there.

So what's the best way to remediate? The hammer does have a vertical machining finish on it, so I don't want to harm that.

Thanks!

 

[Lead Shoes]

You can try some sort of rust solvent, but in the end to get rid of it 100% you are going to have to disturb the machine marking on the finish.

 

[spasm3]

you can get a replacement here, a gunsmith could change it out. I would try a buffing wheel first and see how it looks.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/185991/ruger-hammer-assembly-ruger-single-six-stainless-steel

The plastic bag probably caused this. I keep my guns out of the box in my safe, so air circulates around them.

 

[Andy636]

I know close to nothing about guns but my guess is that your finger sweat salt lead to that rust spot on the hammer.

The 2nd spot looks like galvanic oxidation...maybe you had it in contact with some copper for a long period of time?

 

[Fleetmon]

I agree that the hammer has suffered from thumb sweat/acid. Very gentle polishing with 0000 steel wool and oil may take care of it.

I also agree with firearms being allowed to breathe. One of the leading causes of marred finishes on the sides is laying firearms on the carpeted surfaces of gunsafes...I use dowels through the trigger guards of mine to keep them propped up and I pay close attention to where rifle/shotgun barrels rest in carpeted pockets in safes....I wipe them down frequently.

 

[tstep]

I've used steel wool w/ wd-40 on occasion

 

[Shannow]

Mollasses and water 1:10 will chelate the rust off it, and leave virgin metal without scratching...if you can drive the pin out, you'll be laughing.

BTW, I'm what my machinist workmates call a "ruster"...they won't let me near stuff.

 

[Falken]

I have been shooting ALL my life.

Take it to heart when I say clean it off as best as you can and enjoy a little "patina" on your firearm.

This thing is meant to be shot and enjoyed. Not babying a firearm increases the enjoyment 1000%!!!!

 

[supton]

Ouch. I know stainless can rust, but that doesn't seem like stainless. How long did it sit?

Is this a new or old gun? Well, new being made in like the last decade, being bought new by you. Ruger might not sell you a new hammer, but they do have decent customer service. I'd keep photos, and try rubbing the rust off. If you don't like the look afterward, see if you can get a new hammer. I've never had a hankering for a single six, but I wonder what aftermarket hammers would drop in.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
you can get a replacement here, a gunsmith could change it out. I would try a buffing wheel first and see how it looks.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/185991/ruger-hammer-assembly-ruger-single-six-stainless-steel

The plastic bag probably caused this. I keep my guns out of the box in my safe, so air circulates around them.


I second all this..

 

[tom slick]

Polish it off with steel wool and enjoy the patina. Replacing it on that gun would be very OCD.

 

[Mr_Joe]

Before a gun is put away I go over it with a lightly oiled cloth.

When guns are not being used, try to give them a once over every 9 months to a year.

If guns are in longer term storage, I give them a light coat of R.I.G., which is a grease. This would be for guns that I don't plan to use for years. I have some guns that haven't been shot in many years, but no plans to sell them.

 

[JHZR2]

I oiled this guy up last time, but its incredible, like a rust magnet. Dont have any issues on any other firearms.

 

[spasm3]

Wow that is odd. You would think if its a pure moisture issue, that your other guns would be affected. Have you owned it since new? Makes me wonder if in somehow was submerged in water by a previous owner.

 

[JHZR2]

Yes since new. In the big scheme of things not shot a ton either. And I try to store on the oily side...

Exterior bluing all looks perfect.

 

[Robenstein]

The bag is likely the culprit as others have said. Yes they get shipped in bags sometimes but HEAVILY coated in a preservative oil/grease. Bags don't breathe so any moisture in the bag is going to be trapped and react where there is inadequate protection. If you store a gun in a plastic bag, oil the heck out of it, and then put a desiccant pack in it or even a small block of camphor which is an old trick to prevent rust on tools in metal toolboxes which can suffer condensation. Brownells also sells anti corrosion chips which do much the same.

 

[billt460]

The metal on that gun looks bone dry. Add to that it was stored in a plastic bag, with no provision for adequate ventilation, and the result isn't surprising. Especially considering the average indoor relative humidity of New Jersey. You might consider heavily oiling your weapons, then storing them in something like this, if you are going to use bags. The same conditions exist in your home for all of your guns. I would carefully check everything over.

http://www.zerustproducts.com/products/firearms-ammo-weapons/vci-gun-storage-bags/

You could also use something like this. It may give you better protection.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/821194...oil-4-oz-liquid

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: billt460
The metal on that gun looks bone dry. Add to that it was stored in a plastic bag, with no provision for adequate ventilation, and the result isn't surprising. Especially considering the average indoor relative humidity of New Jersey. You might consider heavily oiling your weapons, then storing them in something like this, if you are going to use bags. The same conditions exist in your home for all of your guns. I would carefully check everything over.

http://www.zerustproducts.com/products/firearms-ammo-weapons/vci-gun-storage-bags/

You could also use something like this. It may give you better protection.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/821194...oil-4-oz-liquid


I have checked everything over. Only this one... Weird...

Plastic bag was OP years ago. Now it's not.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

I have a S&W Model 18 that I've had for forty five years with no rust anywhere. Only thing I ever used on it was Hoppe's gun oil.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: HosteenJorje
I have a S&W Model 18 that I've had for forty five years with no rust anywhere. Only thing I ever used on it was Hoppe's gun oil.


Nothing else I own has rust on it. Same conditions this sees.

Must have had some precursor as the cause. Especiallh since my 2013 photo shiwed something white at the barrel/frame connection, and now its showing red rust at the forcing cone.

The hammer may or may not have been the same cause. There was some red rust in the knurled top of the hammer (where the thumb has friction on it), but I cleaned that out with oil long ago. Ive never tried to fix the other discoloration on the hammer.