What's the best way to deal with rusty sights?

Rockon71385 · Oct 28, 2010

I shot in the rain on sunday and now my sights are starting to rust. Last time I found rust on them, I just wiped them down with some steel wool, but now there's more rust than last time. Could steel wool remove the finish on the sights and make them more likely to rust? What's the best way to deal with this?

mike cyrwus · Oct 29, 2010

Damn if this doesnt sound like a Dear abby column.

steel wool, followed by brake cleaner, followed by some cold blue, followed by a good coat of oil.

If youre cool about removing your sights, it would be better to remove them to do this, but its better then nothing if you leave it on the slide.

When it comes down to it, rust doesnt hurt your sight picture, you just want to retard it enough so it doesnt spread.

Get a can of remoil spray and spray your top end down more often.

Scott Hearn · Oct 29, 2010

Anytime you get rust, then remove it, you are removing the finish AND a minuscule amount of base metal.
So Mike is right, you need to put some finish back on with the cold blue.

Mike will probably put a boot to me, but if you are shooting in the rain very often, one of the best things to use is WD40.
Water displacement is what it's specifically designed for and it works well. Just use it on the outside though. It's not
a lube in any form or fashion, so if Grampa says it is, just nod in agreement.

Rockon71385 · Oct 29, 2010

Sweet. Thanks guys.

Jefpainthorse · Oct 29, 2010

Scott Hearn said:
Mike will probably put a boot to me, but if you are shooting in the rain very often, one of the best things to use is WD40.
Water displacement is what it's specifically designed for and it works well. Just use it on the outside though. It's not
a lube in any form or fashion, so if Grampa says it is, just nod in agreement.

I'd second that WD 40 advise... lot's of folks feel that stuff is the Devil's brew in regards to firearms... but if you ever get a gun soaked (woods, marine enviroment, etc) a good hosing with '40 will sure make a dent in thwarting damage.

Over the years, I've seen a few "stainless" guns die a slow and hateful death as the owners poo- pooed me while I dosed my guns with the evil WD 40... especially in a coastal area...

Glocktogo · Oct 29, 2010

Once you have all the rust removed and hit it with some cold blue, degrease it and then liberally apply some Rain-X, then buff. Give it a two or three coats and buff between each. That should keep the moisture from penetrating to the metal in the future. Just remember that if you use some type of solvent on the sights, you'll need to reapply the Rain-X.