Pistols in the rain question.

[jpsmith1]

On a recent hunting trip, I was caught in a rainstorm that soaked everything I had.  When I got back to camp, I pulled the grips and cylinder off of my Ruger Bisley, cleaned, oiled and layed the gun near the stove to dry.  It seemed OK in the morning, but by Sunday a small amount of rust was creeping out of the seam between the grip frame and the gun frame.

I tore the gun apart completely, cleaned the rust up (not a whole lot), and put the gun back together, using a light grease, not oil, on the metal in the seam to *hopefully* protect it from field water next time.

The question, what do you guys do to protect guns after they get a dousing?

[Ken ONeill]

Been usin' W-D 40 for 30 years.

[corbanzo]

i usually just use gun oil.  WD works veryy well, even if there is still some moisture it will help wick it from the metal

[Wingman26]

When I shot PPC competitively sometimes we had to shoot in the rain, let me tell you shooting in the rain was no fun, your shooting glasses get wet and sometimes you get water in the notch of the rear sight, you can't sight accurately when the notch is filled with water! 

I always wiped it down with WD40 and had no rust problems at all.

[Heavy C]

JP,
Another vote for WD-40.  I've been caught in the rain too and after I dry off the weapon I saturate it with WD-40.  Every seam, crack, and crevice gets it.  I let it sit for a while and wipe it down again with a clean cloth.  WD-40 I believe stands for Water Displacement formula #40.  It has served me well for 25+ years.

[35Rem]

WD is good for getting the water out/away, but after it dries, that;s the problem with it, it will dry, you need to follow up with a regular oil, like 3in1 or RemOil for longer than a day storage.

Is the WD-40 to flush, follow up with a good lasting oil.

[rockbilly]

When I worked for Texas Parks and Wildlife back in the early 60s, we spent a lot of time outdoors in all kinds of weather.  In addition to the rain, the salt air from being station on the Gulf had a big impact on our firearns and equipment.  Often the boat engins would not start bercause the heavy fog has cause moisture to accumulate in the distributor.  The answer was CRC-2.  We ordered it by the 55 gallon drum, it was put in spray bottles, and everything got a good coat at least once a week.  It sure help preserve the guns, and after we started using it on the boat motors, we never had another one refuse to start because the ingitions system was wet.

Latelt, I have started carrying a couple of very large plastic garbage bags with me when I go out.  They can be used as a quick rain coat by cutting a hole for your arms, and head.  You may get a little wet, but not soaked.  I have used the extra bag to cover my gun.  Just a thought............

[buck460XVR]

I love huntin' in the rain...must be why I like Stainless guns Even then iffin they get drenched, I spray 'em down heavy with WD-40, let 'em set overnight and then wipe em down with a oil rag. Has worked for me so far. My M1917(and most others) deer rifle is notorious for it's firing pin freezin' up from even the smallest amounts of moisture or condensation. My Granddad said that's why they  left the pin stickin' out the back so you could push it ahead when it would freeze up. He also told of the Brits urinating on their  bolts in France, using the salt to keep them from freezing up in the trenches. Instead of pissin' on it, my M1917 gets a small amount of WD-40 sprayed on and in the bolt daily when I hunt in really cold weather. The one time I didn't almost cost me a buck....til I remembered what granddad said about pushin' on the pin.

[jpsmith1]

Doohhhh!  Why did I not think of WD-40?  Thanks guys.

[schutzen]

A guns best friend, Kroil or Aero Kroil from Kano Laboratories, 1000 E. Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN  37211 or WWW.KANOLABS.COM.        This is also available from MidwayUSA and Brownells.

[tc scout]

A little off topic, but does anyone use primer sealer for their hunting rounds in the rain?

[mr.frosty]

A guns best friend, Kroil or Aero Kroil from Kano Laboratories, 1000 E. Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN  37211 or WWW.KANOLABS.COM.        This is also available from MidwayUSA and Brownells.

I use kroil too i get it from work good stuff

[Boxhead]

On my hunting guns, rifles and shotguns included, I disassemble them and use Birchwood Casey Sheath on non-moving parts and a very light rub of Shooters Choice All Weather Grease (the red stuff) on the moving parts. I also make sure that the inside of the grips are finished and sealed as well.

[dakotashooter2]

I wipe mine down but they usually get to spend some time near the dehumidifier after being soaked and it seems to help.

[corbanzo]

now that i think about it, when we are working on locks and the such with small movin parts, we usually use spl, cause it doesnt seem to gunk up as much as wd does at times.  But if you have your firearm lock up because of we, it has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long since you cleaned it.