I was wondering that too. If blued or just electroplate. You're right, blued steel is barely corrosion resistant. Bluing still requires that oil is applied to prevent rust.
On the other hand there kinds of bluing that are better than others. I have barrels in water-cooled machineguns that are 90+ years old and are only blued and have no rust, and they sit in water that gets boiled off then refilled and poured off but never cleaned or oiled.
I have barrels in water-cooled machineguns that are 90+ years old and are only blued and have no rust, and they sit in water that gets boiled off then refilled and poured off but never cleaned or oiled.
Well this thread has been an eye-opener. I was looking into MP5 mags a little bit and solicited some opinions as to german/korean/us made regarding cost and reliability. Never really thought there was a need to search for info about rusting. I am a bit OCD about cleaning and oiling though, I figure I'll be okay. Currently have one german mag still sealed in the wrapper. I'm thinking it's probably safer in there for mid to long term storage than taking it out to oil it.
Well this thread has been an eye-opener. I was looking into MP5 mags a little bit and solicited some opinions as to german/korean/us made regarding cost and reliability. Never really thought there was a need to search for info about rusting. I am a bit OCD about cleaning and oiling though, I figure I'll be okay. Currently have one german mag still sealed in the wrapper. I'm thinking it's probably safer in there for mid to long term storage than taking it out to oil it.
Bought new production MP5 mags from HK a couple of months ago and getting varying array of rust on them. Three have light rust from handling them. I noticed something strange about them when I first opened them out of the factory sealed bag. The other five look similar to the one below and have be used during 2 range trips. It's not a storage issue. Either way, I've cleaned and oiled them since, but I find it interesting and figured I'd share.
And I thought it was just mine!!! WTF POF mags don't rust, now I have to send mine off to Birdsong and pay to have them refinished!!! Look just like yours do brother, identical..
Well there are a bunch of different corrosion types but yes, those two are a key factor in almost all of them. Higher temperatures can speed up the reactions but we're talking like 200 degrees before it really matters. The one other type you might actually encounter is galvanic, caused by dissimilar metals. I.e., don't store your metal magazines inside a metal container. Or if you do, use plenty of desiccants and a zinc bar (my gunvault came with one).
Yeah, it's not airtight. Didn't check that before. I still want to keep it in the original wrapper until I actually have a use for it (so like 8-12 months) just in case I end up needing to sell it for any reason. I guess I can double bag it.
Yeah, it's not airtight. Didn't check that before. I still want to keep it in the original wrapper until I actually have a use for it (so like 8-12 months) just in case I end up needing to sell it for any reason. I guess I can double bag it.
Just want to give your guys an update on my German MP5 mags and solving the rust issue. I've been using a stock wax and a aerosol spray with good results. Short of refinishing the mags, which could be anywhere form $6 to $10 per mag, I've had very good results with both products listed below, but the stock wax will probability be my fix to this problem. I recommend waxing your new production mags prior to use.
I purchased some NIW mags about 18 months ago. Have seen the same issue. The mags must have been improperly stored or packed somewhere in the supply chain.
I purchased some NIW mags about 18 months ago. Have seen the same issue. The mags must have been improperly stored or packed somewhere in the supply chain.
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