Pretty substantial surface rust on a SW M&P

[tb1911]

Send it back to S&W. This shouldn't happen. I know they had some issues with the Melonite a while ago. This looks exactly like a gun with the problem. It is stainless and Melonite coated. Definitely a problem.

FWIW - I carry a M&P compact everyday when I run and the gun has been soaked in sweat. I have neglected it and maybe wipe it down if I think about it. The sights rusted a bit where worn, but the gun has been fine.

You will probably get a new slide from them.

 

[taseal]

Thanks guys. I'll let you know what S&W says. I sent an email last night. waiting on a response

 

[marine6680]

I would take to wiping down the pistol more often.

You can clean as needed, but wipe down the slide with some fresh oil every week at least.

A good CLP can work very well. I use Slip 2000 personally.

 

[davemercer]

You said you had pistol 5 years and problem just occurred. So what are you doing differently? Certainly if using different lubes, cleaning products I would go back to stuff used before this problem occurred. Same with holster if recent purchase.

 

[ca survivor]

it might not be the oils or lube you're using is the AIR sprays like Febreze, Hair Spray and such, at least that was my case, not as bad as yours, if you are married that might be it.........

 

[buzzkillbob]

I'm not an expert, but I'm curious...are you a righty or lefty?

 

[Stratajema]

The pattern of rust strongly indicates two possible sources.

One source is condensation caused by the gun sweating when moved from a cold outdoor environment to a warm indoor environment. Even a kydex holster can keep the condensation from evaporating quickly. In this scenario, the side of the gun closest to the body will exhibit less rust since body heat keeps that side from getting as cold as the outer side. I know this because I have carried guns in sub-zero weather and seen what happens when they are brought inside.

The second source of the rust could be chemical contamination. For example, over spray from when opening a can of soda near unholstered gun.

Just FYI, rust on a gun slide can be caused by touching the slide while chemicals are "leaching" out of your finger tips. For example, when people apply acne medicine to their face, even though they wash their hands after, that caustic chemical continues to leach out of their finger tips for a while.

 

[Dave707]

As a Rust/Corrosion preventative on my Saltwater fishing reels, I've been using CorrosionX with outstanding results. Figured if it can laugh at the corrosive effects of Saltwater, it should do just as well on guns. I started wiping down the exterior surfaces of my M&P's, Mossberg JM Pro 24, etc. with a light film and so far have had the same excellent results.

Sent from my Nokia Lumia 520 with Tapatalk

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

At the risk of sounding crazy....are you certain that is rust? Hard to tell in pics, but it looks very odd for melonite. Just wondering if it was something off the holster.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I am a firearms instructor for a security company which issues the M&P 40. We have had them over five years. Fifty guns issued at my location. Our guys are in and out of businesses all day. They do not take care of the guns. Only thing rusting is the metal on the trijicon night sights. Otherwise zero rust.

 

[motorcyclejoe]

Over how long a period of time did the rust develop? You said you never saw this happen so fast. Did the rust just suddenly appear one day? If it just suddenly appeared, I'd guess something was spilled on the slide.

 

[moxie]

I'm unfamiliar with Fireclean but that has to be the culprit. As you've seen above, M&Ps don't rust! And why on earth do you leave it on for 24 hours? Whatever is in that stuff is corroding the slide, pure and simple. All that's needed is a quick wipe with Hoppe's or whatever solvent is handy, followed by a quick wipe with some kind of oil, even plain 3-in-1 oil as mentioned above. In between firings a wipe with an oily rag or silicone cloth will keep it like new forever. That slide is stainless steel wit a cerakote/melonite type finish. I thought it couldn't rust, but you've proven me wrong!

 

[marine6680]

The pattern of spotting suggests that something was sprayed on it.

Maybe it was sitting on the nightstand and someone sprayed air freshener and some of the spray landed on the slide.

Either way... The pattern does seem like it was splashed or sprayed with something corrosive.

To make stainless rust like that requires a chemical to react.

 

[Stratajema]

...To make stainless rust like that requires a chemical to react.

Since the OP mentioned the gun was kept unholstered on a desk, my guess it was overspray from a coke can being opened up.

What I have read is that stainless steel's anti-rust properties do not work unless the stainless steel is exposed to oxygen. So a chemical has to first eat thru the melonite treatment before stainless steel's anti-rust properties go to work.

But as others have mentioned, it could have been a bad melonite job.

 

[JWH321]

That has to be something environmental like some sort of spray or perhaps extremely high humidity like near a shower or something. It can also be something like condensation from getting in and out of a vehicle near any sort of salt spray or something that is being used to melt ice or prevent its accumulation.

I live in Florida, just a couple of miles off the beach. I use only leather holsters and sometimes I get lazy and leave the guns in their holsters for weeks at a time. I have two M&Ps. Neither has even a hint of rust except for one little spot on a roll pin on the Shield (which I replaced).

I have a shotgun with two barrels that lives in my bedroom. The inside of its barrels will rust if I don't clean them regularly. I have tools in the garage that have to be cleaned regularly to avoid having them rust -- things rust overnight around here.

But not my M&Ps.

 

[Camster]

Just give Smith a phone call and see what they say, they have a lifetime warranty. You may get lucky & get a new slide, Its just a phone call.... worse case scenario is you can always strip it and get it blued. But I'm sure S&W will take care of you...

The warranty doesn't cover everything-things that happen because of use,or neglect,or environmental,are exempt.Only problems caused by a manufacturing issue.That said,they might address it,purely on good will.

 

[attrapereves]

Aren't the older M&Ps with STAINLESS printed more known for rust issues?

 

[Conccrete]

You might try Fluid Film (rust and corrosion protection) on it. I use it on all my guns. It's the best stuff I've ever used. You can get it at Auto Zone.
Fluid Film® | Corrosion Preventative, Lubricant and Rust Inhibitor

 

[Golphin]

My vote is with the over spray group. Like someone said Coke spray or other over spray would cause that. Only other thing I can think of would be blood splatter. But that would be on both sides.

 

[vipermd]

OP: Any word from S&W?? Inquiring Minds!! Be Safe,