Picked up a Brand NEW Ruger mini 14 tactical yesterday and was going to shoot it today but I noticed rust in the action all along the bolt. The top of the action where the magazine engages has a little also. Is this normal for a new gun? Haven't experienced this before and I'm going to attempt to clean it tomorrow. It looks like the gun has been stored for a while, not at my gun dealer but at the distributor. I just didn't expect rust on a gun I paid good money for. I did glance at it at the dealer but didn't notice it until I was wiping it down today. What would you do, clean it or take it back?
Rust in a NEW gun!!!
- Thread starter kst8fan
- Start date
I had a new in box Mini-14 with the same issue. I disassembled it. Cleaned and lubed it and the rust never came back. That was 9+ years ago.
Rust has been known to occur on new guns. It happens when the bluing salts are not properly neutralized. It is also why many guns are shipped with a heavy coat of mineral oil.
Rust has been known to occur on new guns. It happens when the bluing salts are not properly neutralized. It is also why many guns are shipped with a heavy coat of mineral oil.
Personally, if it's a little surface rust I just clean it. I'm gonna take every new gun apart to clean it anyway so no biggie for me.
Now if it's pitted that is a different story.
Several years ago a buddy bought a new Savage stainless 30-06 from Wally World. They of course brought him a rifle in a box outof the back and escorted him to the door. He gets home, opens the box and his new STAINLESS rifle has a rather large rust spot close to the muzzle end of the barrel. About the size of a thumbprint. He was not too pleased, but I just took it and cleaned it up with a Scotchbrite pad and blended it out. Never had any more trouble. It happens.
Now if it's pitted that is a different story.
Several years ago a buddy bought a new Savage stainless 30-06 from Wally World. They of course brought him a rifle in a box outof the back and escorted him to the door. He gets home, opens the box and his new STAINLESS rifle has a rather large rust spot close to the muzzle end of the barrel. About the size of a thumbprint. He was not too pleased, but I just took it and cleaned it up with a Scotchbrite pad and blended it out. Never had any more trouble. It happens.
Im definately gonna try a scotch brite pad today. It probably is just surface rust and a lot of packing grease. I believe I have most of the packing grease out. Im one of those guys who has to clean my guns the day I shoot them so rust to me is bad news. Im sure it will come out, I just have never seen this in a new gun.
warbirdlover
New member
Take it back.
Taking it back to the store won't do you any good. Either the store, or you, will simply return the gun to Ruger on Rugers dime. Ruger will simply wipe the surface rust off, apply a little oil on the gun and return it to you.
You could call Ruger and they will advise you of the best way to return the gun. Or you could simply clean the gun and go on.
You could call Ruger and they will advise you of the best way to return the gun. Or you could simply clean the gun and go on.
TriumphGuy
New member
Sorry, but you guys who are saying he should clean it up are flat out crazy. If get a loaf of bread at the store with green spots, I don't just cut the mold off and eat it. Same goes for a $600+ rifle. Sure, it will need cleaned and lubed when it's new but you shouldn't have to scrub rust off of the thing. That's like buying a brand new car and having to buff scratches out of the paint.
Brand new firearms should always be cleand first before shooting. Clean it good, then see what it looks like. If pitted rust, return to Ruger. Had a new stainless mini in the rack for sale. Some one pulled the trigger on it. After sitting for a few month, the bolt would not open. Pulled it apart, the firing pin was rusted into the bolt face.
Exactly the reason I said take it back in the beginning. Sure you could clean it if you want and you know what you're doing but, if you scratch the finish up, do you really expect anyone to replace it under warranty for you? 0000 steel wool and gun oil would be more appropriate.
Completely disassembled the mini today. Didn't use a scotch Brite pad, didn't want to scratch the internal parts. The bolt still looked like it had a small amount of rust on it. I scrubbed with some solvent and completely oiled everything. Everything looks good to go now. Thanks for all the help guys.
Hammerhead
New member
Be careful what kind of scotch brite pad you use.
The maroon scotch brite pads have abrasives boded to them, not sure about the other colors.
The maroon scotch brite pads have abrasives boded to them, not sure about the other colors.
We're not talking about a moldy loaf of bread nor a scratched up new car. We're talking about a piece of steel that has been blued. What do you think blueing is? It's controlled rust. I challenge you to go to ANY firearm retailer with a white cleaning patch and a drop of oil on it and rub the barrel or action of ANY blued weapon in their rack. The patch will have some good old reddish brown iron oxide on it.
Unless YOU are flat out crazy, you're gonna clean any new firearm anyway. Every single blued rifle or handgun I've bought, new or used, has had traces of rust on it somewhere. Wipe it down every time it's handled and you're good to go.
OP I wasn't recommending scotchbrite for you or any blued weapon. For blued I use 0000 steel wool. I quit using steel wool on stainless when it was pointed out to me that the steel wool could inbed in the stainless and create it's own rusting situation.