Gun Storage and Maintenance

[V Man]

Here's the 64,000 dollar question............

What kind of damage are you talking about?

I don't understand how the damage shown could have occured short of the rifle being stored in virtually flooded conditions for many months. It appears there is rust under the factory finish. More explanation of where and how this gun was stored wouuld be appreciated. No golden rod is going to stop whatever caused this, but I assume the rifle is now beeing stored some other way.

I work for an engineering company and our guys think it is galvanic corrosion from the metal not being cleaned and prepared properly. Colt says that the damage was caused by elevated humidity and improper storage. To catch you up with the rest of the story my old Army buddy had this rifle in his safe in Indiana and sold it to me for 400 bucks. I know his safe is in his room that is in the second story of a 2 story house so there wasn't a flood involved. He has been through several long deployments and I can see how it could have sat in the safe for at least a year at a time without being cleaned. I should also mention that none of his other firearms are showing any kind of issues like this. The funny thing is that the barrel and all of the other metal parts are fine, no rusting or pitting anywhere.

I am still talking to Colt who is going to have it evaluated by one of their senior gunsmiths (currently on vacation for 2 weeks) and let me know what if anything they can do. At a minimum I would think that the lower would need to be replaced and I know that is tough because it is serial numbered. Stay tuned!

[samginko]

Silicone rag soaked in remoil. Remoil is about as good as you are going to get without using wax. Do not get in the habit of using CLP to wipe down guns, look at all the privates in the boot camp carrying their shiny silver rifles. I use remoil for surface protection only, CLP for most everything else.

[onebohemian]

I am still talking to Colt who is going to have it evaluated by one of their senior gunsmiths (currently on vacation for 2 weeks) and let me know what if anything they can do. At a minimum I would think that the lower would need to be replaced and I know that is tough because it is serial numbered. Stay tuned!

I'd agree with your theory of improper prep. A year without cleaning just can't lead to this damage in the conditions you describe. BTW, if Colt agrees to replace the lower under warranty, you don't have to be concerned with the serial number. Colt can actually mail you the gun back even if the lower has a different serial number because manufacturers don't have to do 4473 forms for replacements or repairs.

[V Man]

I am still talking to Colt who is going to have it evaluated by one of their senior gunsmiths (currently on vacation for 2 weeks) and let me know what if anything they can do. At a minimum I would think that the lower would need to be replaced and I know that is tough because it is serial numbered. Stay tuned!

I'd agree with your theory of improper prep. A year without cleaning just can't lead to this damage in the conditions you describe. BTW, if Colt agrees to replace the lower under warranty, you don't have to be concerned with the serial number. Colt can actually mail you the gun back even if the lower has a different serial number because manufacturers don't have to do 4473 forms for replacements or repairs.

They made it sound like it was a big deal to replace the lower because of the serial number. I told them that I have whole guns in replaced in the past (Sig Sauer Mosquito) and I know it is a very easy process. After I told them that I knew that the lower could be replaced with little effort they told me they would call me back after the senior gunsmith looked at it.

[Dave Pendleton]

There are two things I'm finding pretty hard to believe about this.

1. The damage was caused by water alone.
2. Colt is being so helpful.

I hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction.