Discolored ammo, what causes it?

BoneDigger · Jan 18, 2009

I have some PMC Starfire ammo that I bought new approximately 6 months ago. It's .38 special and I have been carrying it in my 642 snubbie. This particular ammo has a brass case. I haven't been using this gun a lot lately (no range time) and took it out to clean it today. The ammo had been in the cylinder for a couple of months.

The ammo was literally stuck in the cylinder and I had to work to get it out. Then when I did, the cases were really tarnished and had blobs and streaks of greyish brown discoloring.

What causes this? Is it sweat from when I carried it last?

Todd

BoneDigger · Jan 18, 2009

I have some PMC Starfire ammo that I bought new approximately 6 months ago. It's .38 special and I have been carrying it in my 642 snubbie. This particular ammo has a brass case. I haven't been using this gun a lot lately (no range time) and took it out to clean it today. The ammo had been in the cylinder for a couple of months.

The ammo was literally stuck in the cylinder and I had to work to get it out. Then when I did, the cases were really tarnished and had blobs and streaks of greyish brown discoloring.

What causes this? Is it sweat from when I carried it last?

Todd

WR Moore · Jan 18, 2009

Could be a chemical reaction of the brass to your sweat, or moisture in general. Also could be a reaction of the brass case to whatever leftover cleaning products you use or any lubes.

Powder leaking out of the case? Is your tinfoil hat a wee bit too tight?

BoneDigger · Jan 18, 2009

Didn't think about the cleaning supplies I used, thanks for the reply.

My hat is fine, thanks.

Todd

Hunt200 · Jan 18, 2009

Yup, I say its the cleaning solution.

max · Jan 18, 2009

Verdegris forms when copper or brass is exposed to saline.

Drail · Jan 18, 2009

You gotta quit licking those things man.

BoneDigger · Jan 18, 2009

Ha! I'll keep that in mind!

So, it could be salt from sweat or it could be cleaning solution. I'm back to square one, but at least I know I need to clean my gun more often. Oh, and maybe shoot it occassionally.

Todd

5Wire · Jan 18, 2009

It could also be electrolysis from the contact of the two different metals.

rburg · Jan 19, 2009

You know, that used to be a huge problem with police (and I just assume worse with security guards.) I haven't heard a lot about it in recent years. My assumption has been that ammo corroding itself in place had become well known and everyone, or nearly so, solved it by looking at their guns from time to time.

I've even given some thought to the idea that ammo itself has somehow improved a little and maybe the cases or bullets have been rendered less unstable. We've also all heard the stories about how ammo becomes inert when anyone with a can of WD40 passes within 5 feet of a round.

Most of us who are interested have located and read the 1980 article in American Rifleman where they actually used ziplocks with ammo and WD and any other solvent they could find. The answer there was WD is one of the least offensive.

My days shooting Jets and using solvents taught me the folly of lubing cases.

I honestly don't have a clue as to the proper lubrication of the chambers of revolvers. I do as I've always done, put an oily patch down the bore, then ran it into each of the charge holes in the cylinder.

Maybe something else is at work here I or we don't understand.

buck460XVR · Jan 19, 2009

why some folk use nickel plated brass. Same thing happens to brass casings when left in leather belt shell holders over a period of time. Fortunately, my shells never stay in one place that long.....

s&wchad · Jan 19, 2009

Ya'll don't sweat in Texas, do ya?

How do you carry?

...approximately 6 months ago

6 Months. eh?

It's funny how time flies when you're having fun.

Sgt 127 · Jan 19, 2009

I agree, once you add a little salt water, a chemical reaction occurs where the electorns of two different metals start running back and forth..(See, those 4 years spent wandering aimlessly at a Community College were NOT wasted) Causing the corrosion...I pray somebody that actually knows about this comes along and bails me out soon.

I have seen revolvers that were literally welded shut with green ammo. Funny thing is, when some old cop would show up at the range with a gun like that, pulling the trigger six times usually fired all six rounds AND broke them loose.

s&wchad · Jan 19, 2009

Originally posted by Sgt 127:
...a chemical reaction occurs where the electorns of two different metals start running back and forth...

Electorns???

Galvanic reaction.

Sgt 127 · Jan 19, 2009

Originally posted by s&wchad:

Originally posted by Sgt 127:
...a chemical reaction occurs where the electorns of two different metals start running back and forth...

Click to expand...

Electorns???

Galvanic reaction.

Dammit...one more english class and I would have gotten that right...or, a typing class...sigh.

Agent6-3/8 · Jan 19, 2009

My vote goes to cleaning chemicals.

Once upon a time, I didn't get all the Hoppe's out of the chambers on my 25-13. I loaded it up and put it away. I ended up with a similar mess on my hands.

BoneDigger · Jan 19, 2009

I haven't noticed the gun getting OVERLY sweaty. I'm thinking it may actually be the cleaning solution. I need to make sure the cylinders are good and dried before putting bullets in it.

I appreciate all of the help!

Todd

Discolored ammo, what causes it?

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