North American Arms Rusting

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11-08-2007, 01:55 PM
1geo

North American Arms Rusting

Two years ago I purchased a NAA Black Widow .22 mag. I carry the weapon in a gun pouch, a protected environment. Upon inspecting it a few days ago I was shocked to find the barrel rusting. This gun is supposable made of a high quality stainless steel. I'm 69 years old and am a retired Senior Reactor Systems Engineer. I have had a life time of experience with stainless steel. The only way stainless rusts is if it contains impurities and the NAA weapon I have has a LOT of impurities. Has anyone else had similar experiences with NAA weapons?
11-08-2007, 08:16 PM
Baldy

I have heard people complain about this problem several times over the years. They must make them out of a low grade of stainless steel that will rust. Just wondering.
11-09-2007, 11:52 AM
MLB

There are many grades of stainless steel, some of which will rust. I wouldn't have expected rust on a "stainless" firearm though. Give them a call and see if they'll make it right.
11-09-2007, 01:45 PM
Gunerd

There are different alloy's mixed in. They are not pure stainless 'steel'.
You still have to take care of them.
11-09-2007, 05:29 PM
1geo

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLB

There are many grades of stainless steel, some of which will rust. I wouldn't have expected rust on a "stainless" firearm though. Give them a call and see if they'll make it right.

I contacted NAA and their response was to offer a free "refinish" of the gun. When I told them that would not stop the gun from rusting and my concern was the interior parts; how badly have they rusted, NAA really had no response. So if you're waiting for NAA to "make it right," don't hold your breath.
11-09-2007, 10:04 PM
benzuncle

Stainless in terms of stainless steel should be viewed as stains less. I had a saltwater sailboat on the West Coast of Florida; I sailed up and down the coast for 6 years, carrying a Ruger Stainless Steel Security Six. The humidity and the salt can combine to do unexpected harm to stainless steel.

As for NAA, this is the first time I've heard of someone having an issue with them that was not resolved to their satisfaction. I'll stick with the odds until they change...
11-10-2007, 05:36 PM
1geo

Sticking with NAA can cost you a LOT!

Sticking with NAA can cost you the new price of a gun. Personally, in the future I'll go with manufactures that produce a quality weapon such as S&W and Colt. As for "stainless" steel, the name stainless means it is not easily stained, i.e., it remains bright and shiny. The word has nothing to do with rusting. Stainless Steel is a common name for metal alloys that consist of 10.5% or more Chromium (Cr) and more than 50% Iron (Fe). Although it is called "stainless", a better term for it is "highly stain resistant", i.e., its difficult to STAIN stainless steel. The chromium content in stainless steel alloys is what generally prevents corrosion. Pure iron, the primary element of stainless steel, is extracted from its natural state as iron ore, it is unstable by itself, and naturally wants to corrode (rust). The chromium helps to procrastinate nature's attempts to combine the pure iron with oxygen and water to form rust. The chromium works by reacting with oxygen to form a tough, adherent, invisible, passive layer of chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self healing as long as it has enough oxygen. Simply put, unless THERE ARE IMPURITIES IN YOU PRODUCT, your guns should not rust in a protected environment. You stick with NAA, I'll spend my money elsewhere.