What Causes A Gun To Rust?

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Gun owners prioritize keeping their guns in working condition. Regular cleanings and maintenance improve performance and safety when using them. Some factors, like weather, are out of your control and can be challenging to tackle. For example, rust is a silent killer that affects your guns, cars, tools and more.

Here’s how rust affects your gun and what you can do to prevent buildup.

How Does Rust Affect Gun Performance?
The last thing you want to see on your firearms is rust. First, it causes unpleasant aesthetics. Guns can be beautiful specimens, and a small amount of rust can ruin their shiny good looks. More importantly, rust can quickly compromise your weapon’s performance.

Rust weakens metal and impairs the moving parts of your gun, and corrosion leads to drag and safety problems. After a while, untreated guns with rust can explode and severely injure you. Research shows rust significantly affects guns — specifically their cartridge cases and projectiles. After three months, researchers could not identify Glocks because of their rusting.

How Does Rust Form?
Rust is the product of a chemical reaction that affects metal. When iron and oxygen come into contact with water or moist air, corrosion starts and produces iron oxide. Rust is typically identifiable by a combination of brown and red colors.

Rust problems depend on your location and type of metal. Humid climates have more moisture in the air, so the chance of rusting increases. When you think of rust, you likely think of iron because it corrodes fast. New iron immediately starts rusting when it’s hot and has oxygen and water present. Steel, silver and gold alloys also rust. Be mindful if your gun contains these materials.

How Can You Prevent Gun Rusting?
Regardless of type and location, corrosion can happen to any gun. Here’s how to prevent rust from forming on your firearms.

Watch Humidity Levels
The first tip is to watch humidity levels. Humidity can be a significant issue in coastal or tropical climates. Even Alaska, known for being cold, is more humid than Florida, Louisiana and any other state. The air moisture can vary daily, so one way to help is proper storage.

Many firearm storage units, like a safe, fit in your chosen room and are climate-controlled. They protect your firearm from humidity, dust, children, thieves and other unwanted perpetrators. Some gun owners create a bunker-like safe area for their firearms if dire situations arise.

Use a Dehumidifier
If a gun safe isn’t an option, consider a dehumidifier. These machines absorb moist air and allow you to control the humidity level in your household. A safe humidity level for your house is approximately 30-50%. You want some moisture in the air, especially with a wooden stock, because low levels can cause the wood to dry.

Dehumidifiers are convenient because they protect your firearms and your health. Lowering the moisture reduces the risk of mold, mildew and pest infestations in your home.

Apply Protective Coating
Rust prevention can take place directly with your guns. For example, you can apply a protective coating. Some companies make gun oils and anti-rust sprays that lubricate your firearm and repel moisture from penetrating the metal. These products are helpful for any weapon containing iron or iron alloys.

Gun oil is particularly helpful for those who like to hunt. Late fall and winter are popular times in most states, which means cold conditions. Snow touching your gun can wear the outside, especially if your hunting sessions last multiple hours.

Buy a Gun Sock
Guns in storage are pretty safe. However, they can still be vulnerable. Over time, your safe could wear with cracks compromising the climate-controlled interior. Alternatively, you may need to remove the firearms and transfer them elsewhere.

One way to maximize gun conditions is to use a gun sock. These fabrics are water-resistant and include moisture-wicking features. Many gun socks contain silicone and hydrophobic polymers, so you don’t have to worry about unwanted reactions with wood or metal.

Scrub With Steel Wool
Even with precautions, you may still get rust on your guns. Treat small spots early so they don’t spread and further damage your firearms. The best way to eliminate rust is to take your weapon apart and completely clean it. Rust can be difficult to remove, so use a sturdy cleaner like steel wool or a rigid brush. Gun oil should work here, but you may need something more substantial with chemicals if the rust looks serious.

Keeping Your Firearms Safe
Rust is the silent killer of guns, classic cars and other prized possessions. Buildup can quickly compromise your firearm’s performance and lead to a shorter life span. Prevent and treat rust on your weapons to keep them in peak condition.

Author Bio
Jack Shaw is an experienced hunter and avid writer on all things survival. He’s the senior editor of the men’s lifestyle magazine Modded, and a regular contributor to several publications centered on self and home defense.