Rust on a .22 caliber Victory pistol

[William Hogan 56]

I bought a .22 caliber Victory pistol about 4 months ago. I shoot it at a local range 1-2 times a month. I store it in a range bag in a closet at my house. Yesterday, when I retrieved it to go to the the range I saw what appears to be light rust spots on the gun. This was surprising to me since this is a stainless steel pistol. Has anyone seen this before? Does anyone know how to get the rust off (if that is what it is) without marring the surface. Any advice is much appreciated. I love the gun, but this is a worry.
Thanks

 

[Rpg]

Stainless guns, contrary to the name, will rust and corrode.

Remove the corrosion with oil on an old T shirt. If necessary, use a thumbnail to scrape off the corrosion. If you need more abrasion, use a copper penny or copper wool with oil.

At a minimum, put a few drops of light machine oil (or any gun oil) on an old t shirt and wipe your gun down every time after handling or shooting it.

Storing your gun in a way that effectively seals it off from air circulation can create a situation that effectively stews the gun in moisture.

 

[William Hogan 56]

Thanks for the advice, but it doesn't want to clear up with some gun oil and a cotton shirt. Is there anything else that could be the cause of the blemishes on the stainless steel?
Thanks for the tip of applying a light coat of oil after each use/cleaning

 

[Rpg]

Post some photos of the discoloration.

 

[Pisgah]

Unless you've spilled something corrosive on it, it's rust -- absolutely normal for an uncleaned gun stored in a bag, case or holster, stainless or no. As mentioned, it's rust-resistant, but not at all rust proof. The big advantage of stainless is that it takes longer for stainless to rust, and it doesn't get pitted as quickly as blued guns. If the rust won't wipe off with an oily cloth it may take more aggressive methods like brass or copper brushes and scrapers or Scotchbrite pads. Even a fairly heavily-rusted stainless steel handgun can usually be refurbished to almost as-new with a judicious application of elbow grease.

 

[misswired]

We had a pitting problem on a standing order of beryllium flight hardware. The contracting company narrowed down the problem only affecting orders machined in the summer months. It finally got bad enough year after year the Department of Energy sent forensic investigators to our facility during the summer. The observed us cutting and eating our fresh homegrown tomatoes during lunch. Yep, tomato acids transferred from our hands to the parts.....We were busted after vehemently denying doing anything different during the machining processes.