Is this RUST on the Stainless Slide?!!!

[sboonjue]

I can not figure out what this "staining" is on the Stainless Slide...I do remember when I got her there was a little rust on the slide, I really did not think anything of it, and now it just has gotten progressively worse!!! Will S&W replace it for me? If so should I just call customer service?

 

[D Binx]

I'm not sure what that is. Has it been in storage? If so, where have you been keeping it?

 

[dougwg]

Stain-less
400 series stainless will rust if you don't keep some oil on it.

Not even the all powerful S&W can change physics.

 

[BigBill]

I notice a ruger snubbie in stainless that I ccw carried had a tarnish from my body sweat from an in the pants holster. Using some some Simi chrome polish removed it . My new s&w m58 in nickel did the same thing. Again the Simi chrome polish solved that too. Now I switch holsters so they can dry out and keep the guns wiped down.

I eat a lot of spicy foods and garlic to keep the tics and bugs from biting me.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Looks like it's been stored in a foam lined gun case. Not saying that's what happened.

Try a some FINE steel wool with a good gun lube and GENTLY rub it and see what happens. If it's superficial it might come off. Be liberal with the lube.

 

[sboonjue]

Looks like it's been stored in a foam lined gun case. Not saying that's what happened.

Try a some FINE steel wool with a good gun lube and GENTLY rub it and see what happens. If it's superficial it might come off. Be liberal with the lube.

It was stored in the original smith and wesson box! I purchased it today from a friend for a pretty good price $220.. I did some research and some people were saying that some batches of the stainless series did not get "treated with melonite" properly which leads to this "staining", I guess i'll try calling smith and wesson tomorrow and see what they can do, hopefully they will send me a new slide!

 

[sboonjue]

I already tried to spray it with CLP and rub/scrub off and then tried with some hoppes oil with no luck... it looks like its embedded into the slide!

I don't understand why this would happen if it was stored in the factory case! So I guess keeping pistols/rifles in factory/foam lined cases is a bad idea in humid weather? i live in Virginia

 

[scooter123]

Yeah, keeping any metal object in contact with foam is a bad idea in a humid climate. What works well for protecting the finish from rub marks during shipping can hold moisture and transfer that to whatever it contacts.

You are the second owner and technically any warranty with S&W won't transfer. However, on occasion S&W will ignore this technicality so you may get some relief. If not consider this for what it is, a real bargain so a bit of ugliness you have to fix yourself can be expected. What you can do is wet sand the slide until you remove all those marks and then use Scotchbrite to apply a Brushed Finish similar to that seen on S&W revolvers.

 

[turbo38gn]

I would love to buy an M&P for that price, with that problem... it would give me a great reason to play with the finish on the slide. As for the rust on the slide... that's on the owner of the gun.. certainly not S&W..

 

[NZshooter]

I don't understand why this would happen if it was stored in the factory case!

this:

Looks like it's been stored in a foam lined gun case.

I work part time at an LGS and people all the time say their gun rusted while stored in the factory foam-lined case. They think they're protecting it but all they're really doing is keep a wet sponge against it.

Did you or the previous owner toss the treated paper that the factory folds over the slide before putting the gun in the shipping case (key here is SHIPPING case)? It's there for a reason.

 

[dougwg]

I doubt S&W will cover this neglect under warranty.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

S&W coats their guns and magazines with a thin layer of oil (like many manufactures) which is why they can stay stored in the factory cases for long periods.

S&W also puts a rust inhibiting sheet of paper around the slides as well and some manufactures put the guns in rust inhibiting bags or just bags for the same purpose.

 

[Nutshell]

S&W should replace it. I've never had them reject any warranty repairs for me not being the original owner.

 

[N4KVE]

It's not like you are the original owner of the gun, paid full price, & it rusted. You knowingly purchased the gun in that condition for less than half price & want S&W to replace the slide? I think you certainly got what you paid for, but I wish you luck with S&W. It's still a perfectly good gun, & you don't have to worry about messing up the finish. GARY

 

[yeti]

Ouch...your bad. Forget about expecting S&W to cover that.

Try this:
-Remove the slide and soak the surfaces in some Kroil for an hour.
-Start off with a bronze brush wet with Kroil and try to remove as much corrosion as possible.
-Whatever is left over...use generously oiled 0000 steel wool (very fine) or oiled bronze wool to target the remaining rust spots with LIGHT pressure.
-Be certain to clean slide thoroughly...including striker channel of any debris.
-Rust should be gone, but light pitting may remain. The slide areas affected will always be more susceptible to rust. Always keep it oiled to prevent return of the rust.
-Shoot away.

 

[Lost Lake]

Forget all that work!!!

Kroil and toil... Scrubbing and rubbing.

Who needs it?

I'll take it off your hands for the full price you paid! You will be out nothing!

Just tell me where to send the $220 and I'll get it on its way.

Seriously, you got a great deal! Now a little work will have that thing looking beautiful.

And if you do want to get rid of it, I will pay you $220...

.

 

[bybotie]

Like the guys above said, Kroil and a rag. Sometimes you have to earn a bargin.

 

[Bruce51]

Just get the slide bead blasted and enjoy your great deal.

The bead blast will hide any imperfections and hold more oil on the metal.

Bruce

 

[murphydog]

Another case of "stainless" being easier to market than "stain-resistant".

I don't think the OP was demanding the factory fix this, just asking if it would. The answer is no unless they are in a good mood . However, this can be a good test of one's metalworking skills; try to avoid rounding the edges and the slide stampings, then perhaps a coating to protect it afterward.

 

[Justin69]

I have had both my m&p's in the original foam cases & never had any problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. I DO have them wrapped lightly with a brown paper bag everytime I put them back in the cases though (kinda like the way I bought them new)