Ok, I picked up a S&W 686-5 and found that the trigger guard had some prior rust damage (pitting that had been polished). I looked the gun over and began to notice rust spots that seemed to be in random places, so I searched the all reliable google and I found that many 686s were there with rust problems. It this a problem with those models or just more common among that year or metal batch? I know stainless is not rust proof but only STAIN-LESS but I have a number of Ruger stainless guns that have never had any rust problems (except for one in a COMPLETELY random spot inside the gun I sent it back and regardless of the age Ruger fixed it immediately). S&W said they would not repair it as the finish only has a one year warranty etc. I am not comparing the two brands I just wonder if it was more common on the 686 model or year or something like that. I had never seen the problem on any other stainless S&Ws even though I guess it happens.
Rust a reoccuring problem on 686s?
- Thread starter bigshep85
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I can tell you that my early model 4" & 6" bbl 686's (both no-dash guns) have been carried through thick and thin as back country/back packing guns and show more signs of "knocking about" than any signs of rust. I didn't take any special measures... back then I was blissfully unaware that stainless gun were not truly rust proof, and were at times neglected.
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nawilson
US Veteran
I might add that many of the 4" guns were police issue, and cops are not known for their equipment maintenance. I don't have a 686, but I do have a 586 that I have to be very careful with to avoid rust. None of my stainless guns need the same level of care.
bananaman
Member
My 686-3 has never shown any sign of rust. None of my stainless guns have ever shown signs of rust. Don't know why there are issues. I do maintain, wipe down & oil (or CLP) stainless guns, just as I do w/blue. Bob
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Sounds to me like serious neglect by the prior owner. Another theory is that the prior owner used steel wool on the revolver, which leaves microscopic bits of ordinary steel in the stainless. The microscopic bits rust, leaving the owner thinking that the stainless is rusting. At the factory the bits of microscopic steel left as a result of cutting tools are removed by the passivation process.
I have had a couple of stainless revolvers come in over the years which developed, after sale and use, and in very short order, a fine patina over them.
Upon inquiry, S&W theorized that they either missed the passivation process or it was improperly done. In both cases, S&W took care of it and the revolvers were returned in perfect condition in just a few days. As passivation is not available to ordinary users, it is recommended not to use steel wool. Who knows in your case.
From Wikipedia:
"Stainless steels are corrosion-resistant by nature, which might suggest that passivating them would be unnecessary. However, stainless steels are not completely impervious to rusting. One common mode of corrosion in corrosion-resistant steels is when small spots on the surface begin to rust because grain boundaries or embedded bits of foreign matter (such as grinding swarf) allow water molecules to oxidize some of the iron in those spots despite the alloying chromium. This is called rouging."
zelda
Member
l asked DAD about rust awhile back when l got my 686 Competitor. He said S&W handguns are lot ''less stainless'' than they used to be. He proved this by taking a magnet and touching his old Model 60 snubby and then my new Competitor. His 60 barely moved, but my Comp jumped at it
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Stainless Steel guns are stainLESS NOT stainPROOF. I have a Smith that I bought brand new in the box from a LGS (a M60 no dash) that had some light surface rust under the grips and in the cylinder frame. Nothing major and nothing worth sending the gun back for, but they can and do rust - just takes a bit longer.
It could be a problem with the pickling and passivation done on the gun. it could possibly need this re done due to someone removing the layer from the surface. this is why some stainless steel gets rusty and some don't.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
That's interesting. S&W must of changed the grade of S.S. they were using over the years. The M60 was the first all stainless gun S&W ever made, and it was introduced in 1965 IIRC.
The stainless L-frame was introduced in 1980 and the stainless K-frames in the early 1970's. I wonder how those guns magnetism would compare to a modern smith.
