- Gun rusting occurs when firearms are exposed to moisture, oxygen, dust, and human contact.
- Storing guns in the right places and minimizing their exposure to moisture can stop them from rusting.
- Buying high-quality aftermarket parts with protective coatings limits the chances of firearms rusting.
Have you seen rust forming on a pistol, rifle, or shotgun? Many firearm parts are metal, so they may rust when exposed to moisture, oxygen, dust, and human contact. Gun rusting can occur even when these parts are anodized or covered with protective coatings.
So, what can you do to prevent a firearm from rusting? Take proactive measures to keep a gun looking — and working — its best. Use these gun rust prevention tips to keep your firearm in excellent condition.
Avoid Unnecessary Risks
If you’re worried about a gun rusting, consider what not to do with it first. Storing firearms in high-humidity climates or places with salty air is a recipe for disaster. This will likely cause rust to form faster than it would otherwise.
Constantly handling a gun or allowing it to sustain scratches and other surface damage will also leave it susceptible to rusting. Ensure you thoroughly clean firearms before storing them, especially if you use them for hunting, as blood is notorious for stripping bluing and causing rust.
Choose the Right Storage Areas
When you wonder, “What can you do to prevent a firearm from rusting?” the answer might be as simple as finding the perfect place to store it. Look for a safe spot where a gun will not develop rust over time. Once you find it, shop for an affordable room-sized dehumidifier that will lower humidity levels, along with gun bags and hard cases to provide further protection.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can also wrap guns. Just make sure you avoid utilizing certain materials, like towels, that can retain moisture and cause gun rusting. Instead, opt for gun socks treated with silicone.
Invest in a High-Quality Gun Safe
If you have the budget, buying a gun safe will be one of your smartest investments. It will minimize the chances of a gun rusting by protecting it from dust, oily hands, environmental changes, and other hazards.
However, you must monitor a gun safe’s interior to guarantee it doesn’t do more harm than good. Some safes are made of corrosion-causing materials that can trap humidity. Locate a top-notch gun safe constructed from the right materials, and equip it with an in-safe dehumidifier to eliminate moisture.
Clean and Lubricate Firearms
Of all the gun rust prevention tips found here, this one might be the easiest to implement. Regularly cleaning and lubricating firearms is the first defense against gun rusting, as it keeps dirt, dust, and grime off guns. A light coating of gun oil on steel surfaces should stop rust in its tracks.
Depending on where you store firearms, you should strive to lubricate them every one to three months and clean and lubricate them thoroughly after each use.
Purchase Parts With the Correct Coatings
Nowadays, guns and the aftermarket parts used to enhance them are available with a wide range of different coatings. These coatings improve their appearance, increase durability, and prevent gun rusting.
Some of the best modern gun coatings include:
- Anodizing
- Gun bluing
- Parkerizing
- Nickel boron
- Ferritic nitrocarburizing
- Quench polish quench (QPQ)
- Cerakote and other bake-on paints
Start Using These Gun Rust Prevention Tips
Taking care of firearms is a big part of responsible gun ownership. Whether you carry a gun daily or keep one in storage and pull it out occasionally, Wing Tactical can help keep it in the best shape possible. We offer many premium gun lubricants and aftermarket parts with protective coatings to prevent gun rusting.
Need help deciding what to buy? Contact us to speak with one of our representatives.