Waterproofing 442?

jyl · Mar 23, 2016

I plan to carry my 442 in very wet conditions. The revolver will be exposed to rain, carried in a soaking pocket, sitting in a pool of rainwater at the bottom of the pocket. (The jersey pocket of a cycling rain jersey, on many hours rides in the rain, if you're wondering.)

I have found no commercial holster that will keep the gun dry in that pocket.

I'd be willing to place the gun in a plastic ziplock bag, if I can draw it and fire through said bag. I suppose I could push my trigger finger through the plastic bag. I do wear gloves, often neoprene cycling gloves.

What else can I do to protect the gun? Spray WD-40 in it after every ride? Store it in rice? Remove the side plate and pack the internals with marine grease? Just accept that the gun will get rusty spots?

armorer951 · Mar 23, 2016

WD-40 is a very bad idea, both for the gun and the ammunition.

There are many good quality lubricants on the market that also protect firearms from inclement weather conditions. A couple of the the best rated corrosion inhibitors are Frog Lube (CLP paste), and a product called CorrosionX.

In the conditions you specified, the gun would have to be regularly, or at least at the end of every exposure........ blown dry with forced hot air (hair dryer) disassembled, inspected, re-lubricated and function checked.. Ammunition should also be regularly replaced, and should not be directly exposed to lubricants, oils or penetrants.

Practical · Mar 23, 2016

Zip lock bags don't work well for moisture. Freezer bags work a lot better.

OKFC05 · Mar 24, 2016

Ever hear of the Kramer holster shirt?
The gun sits under your outer clothes on either side, more or less under your arm. Unless you get soaked to the skin, the gun stays relatively dry. In my cycling experience (now old and slow), carrying a handgun in an outer pocket where it gets soaked and beats against you is a lousy idea.

chief38 · Mar 24, 2016

Well if this is your only practical carry method and you are relegated to it, then I would opt for a synthetic holster that is opened at the bottom for drainage and good air flow.

I would also check and go over the revolver with a good rust preventative often. Just make sure to keep what ever chemicals you use away from the ammo. Disassembly, cleaning and re-lubing should be done much more often than normal due to the severe exposure it is getting. It might not be a bad idea to swap out your carry ammo more than usual just for piece of mind.

5-Shot · Mar 24, 2016

Years ago I rode off road motorcycles in very wet conditions. Water would eventually seep into the ignition system and kill the bike. Somewhere I learned about a lubricant called LPS. I opened the engine and sprayed all the ignition components and closed it back up. A year later, after zero problems, I opened the motor again and a pint of water poured out. The ignition system worked UNDER WATER. I have never tried LPS on guns but if I were facing your difficulties, I'd give it a look.

Ed

Wee Hooker · Mar 24, 2016

Personally, I wouldn't trust any "treatment". If the guns internals get flooded, bad things may eventually happen. Additionally, there is concern for the reliability of soaked ammo.
The old adage : "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" applies here.
I'd find another dryer location to carry it where water won't pool. Look for an inner pocket or a good holster to wear in a dry area.

Arik · Mar 24, 2016

In that case I'd cycle out the ammo fairly often. Without sealed necks and primers occasional water I'd ok but constantly sitting in a pool of water will/can render the ammo useless

bagga · Mar 24, 2016

wd 40 is a solvent and will remove oil, it is NOT a lubricant. wipe it down with some kind of oil, that's about all you can do.

haywood · Mar 24, 2016

If I couldn't find some kind of waterproof belt pack, I would go with a ziplock freezer bag. It may be slower to get to but, it will more likely work if you need it.

gnystrom · Mar 24, 2016

You may want to lean toward a Glock that can be easily dried out with a hair dryer after each ride.
If it were me, I would look toward some other means of self protection rather than depending on a firearm that is constantly exposed to the rigors you are expecting.

FloridaFlier · Mar 24, 2016

You need a holster. No other good choice. If you wear a light jacket when you ride, then I'd look for one that will carry the gun on your back. Everything else is moving and will become too uncomfortable quickly.

Screwball · Mar 24, 2016

I started off with a 642-1, but will work the same for a 442...

Sent it to Robar for NP3 Plus. Did an awesome job. Only issue they had was when they chemical stripped the finish off the grip, the serial number faded, so they had to engraved it again. I had slight scratches there due to an older Hogue Monogrip, so it worked out well.

If it gets waterlogged, I'd still pop the side plate, dry, and relube. I'd be more worried about the ammo than the gun, though.

fkienast · Mar 24, 2016

I was a motor cycle officer for years. When it rained, not only my pistol, magazines, ammo, and all other police gear got drenched. I used both a H&K USP and later a S&W M&P during this time, and I carried a Kel-Tec P-11 in my pocket.
On rainy days, upon arriving back home, I had to do a complete tear down on each weapon, magazines and dry, clean and re-oil them. Never had any problem, but they were not revolvers either. Never a problem with the ammo not functioning.
The Kel-Tec got the worse wear and tear including surface rust on the pistol it self.
Later, when a felon broke into my house, he stole the Kel-Tec. However, when he was close to getting caught,he through the Kel-tec into a retention pond were it was located by a diver a month later. It was returned to me by the Sheriffs Dept. The finish was gone on the slide, but after cleaning, pistol and ammo functioned. I put cold blue on the slide and continued to use it on duty as a back up gun.
If you choose to carry a revolver in a wet pocket, your going to have rust and your going to have to clean it immediately that day after use in the rain with an appropriate cleaner, to include disassembling and cleaning the internals to ensure all water is gone. Not sure about your ammo though.
The SEALS and Marine Recon used to swear by CLP for preparing/treating their weapons prior to a salt water dive. I'm not sure what they use now.

ContinentalOp · Mar 24, 2016

Finding an alternate carry method that's more protective or going for a corrosion-resistant finish are probably the best options for preventing rust.

You could try applying wax to the outer surfaces. Renaissance Wax is usually recommended, but I've also read that Johnson's Paste Wax will also work. It may not prevent water from getting inside your gun but it may prevent surface rust from developing.

If water does get inside, I'd agree that you would have to disassemble your gun, clean/dry it thoroughly, relube, and reassemble every time.

I'll echo the advice of those who say that carry ammo should be rotated more frequently if it's going to get wet often. Nothing should be applied to the ammo.

I've read that air compressors can blow moisture into the gun, so it's probably best not to use one unless you can ensure that the air is dry.

While I wouldn't count on WD40 as a rust preventative/lubricant, I think it would be acceptable to use to help get the water out ("WD" = "Water Displacement"). Just make sure to dry and lube properly after use.

Snowwolfe · Mar 24, 2016

jyl said:
I plan to carry my 442 in very wet conditions. The revolver will be exposed to rain, carried in a soaking pocket, sitting in a pool of rainwater at the bottom of the pocket. (The jersey pocket of a cycling rain jersey, on many hours rides in the rain, if you're wondering.)

I have found no commercial holster that will keep the gun dry in that pocket.

I'd be willing to place the gun in a plastic ziplock bag, if I can draw it and fire through said bag. I suppose I could push my trigger finger through the plastic bag. I do wear gloves, often neoprene cycling gloves.

What else can I do to protect the gun? Spray WD-40 in it after every ride? Store it in rice? Remove the side plate and pack the internals with marine grease? Just accept that the gun will get rusty spots?

What type of carrying conditions are you referring to?

Warren Sear · Mar 24, 2016

My advice is to never put a gun in plastic bag; it will trap moisture and CAUSE rusting, not prevent it.

Hapworth · Mar 24, 2016

Screwball said:
...NP3 Plus...

This. I'd NP3 Plus every part of OP's revolver that Robar was willing to do, and keep oil, a rag, patches and rod to wipe down after every soaking.

sodacan · Mar 24, 2016

Carry a water pistol.

Hapworth · Mar 24, 2016

Snowwolfe said:
What type of carrying conditions are you referring to?

OP's anticipating long motorcycle rides in the rain, and wants the revolver at hand in such a way that will necessitate extended exposure to moisture.

jyl said:
(The jersey pocket of a cycling rain jersey, on many hours rides in the rain, if you're wondering.)

Waterproofing 442?

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