New Desert Eagle: Already Rusting...

Alabamacoastie

Alabamacoastie

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A couple months ago, I picked up a brand new Desert Eagle Case Hardened in 50ae. It was factory new. I took it into my bank yard and shot about 15 rounds through it (Hornady Critical Defense). I made sure it was clear, put it in the case, then placed the case inside a climate controlled safe in a climate controlled room. Dehumidifier is set at 55% humidity. That was about 2 months ago.

I just went to fondle and clean it. Opened the case and immediately saw rust spots on the slide. The magazines have surface rust as well. There is rust growing out from under the front site. And, worst of all, the slide is locked in the forward position. It will not budge!

I looked online and this seems to be common. The bolt can rust and fuse with the barrel, causing it to be impossible to rack the slide.

Also, this case hardened model was very expensive because it looks so awesome, but I just found out that it isn't real case hardened. It's a spray on finish, and the manual says you have to be careful when cleaning so that you don't rub the pretty colors off.

1. How does a new gun rust so fast? None of my other guns in the same safe have any rust at all.

2. Is it safe to use CLP while cleaning this weapon without rubbing off the finish? (I just sent an email to Magnum Research asking them this. Let's see what they say. )

So, heads up.... Don't end up like me... Keep your deagles clean and put them away extra wet.
 
NCLivingBrit said:
If the case has polymer foam in that's a bad way to store it since it traps any moisture close to the gun.

Maybe toss some dessicant packs in there if you want to keep using the case?
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Good point. The foam might have been moist from the factory...
 
NCLivingBrit said:
If the case has polymer foam in that's a bad way to store it since it traps any moisture close to the gun.

Maybe toss some dessicant packs in there if you want to keep using the case?
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This. Cases are not good for long term storage. Open air around the firearm is needed.
 
I’m loving those cheap Bluetooth Temperature/Humidity sensors I posted up a while ago. Not sure that 55% RH in the room necessarily means 55% inside the safe. Also, isn’t 55% a bit high for gun storage?
 
Jeppo said:
I’m loving those cheap Bluetooth Temperature/Humidity sensors I posted up a while ago. Not sure that 55% RH in the room necessarily means 55% inside the safe. Also, isn’t 55% a bit high for gun storage?
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I've got humidity sensors inside each safe and in the room (outside the safe). Inside the safes usually runs about 5% lower than inside the room.

I'm not sure about the best humidity. I thought I read online that 55 to 60 was best, because lower than that could dry out wood furniture and cause cracks in stocks, forends, etc. But I can definitely be wrong.
 
Grim said:
Desert Eagles are known for high carbon parts, thus, they rust like crazy unless you coat them in oil.
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That's what I just read online... Lots of people have them rusting together...

I wish I had known this 2 months ago. I would not have put it away dirty, in the case...
 
Alabamacoastie said:
That's what I just read online... Lots of people have them rusting together...

I wish I had known this 2 months ago. I would not have put it away dirty, in the case...
Click to expand...

I heard about a local FFL having one that he maintained in a vehicle, after about two months, it was rusted shut. This was about 10-15 years ago, I would have hoped they resolved that issue by now.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
I've got humidity sensors inside each safe and in the room (outside the safe). Inside the safes usually runs about 5% lower than inside the room.

I'm not sure about the best humidity. I thought I read online that 55 to 60 was best, because lower than that could dry out wood furniture and cause cracks in stocks, forends, etc. But I can definitely be wrong.
Click to expand...
I tried to research the ideal RH and decided to try to remain between 40 and 50% but preferring to be towards the lower end. Who knows for sure. :confused:
 
Next time you're shopping for Magnum Research and you want to avoid rust, get the BFR in .45-70 [emoji15]
66e2c13d1f75994cb445806493914e07.jpg
 
I just thought of another issue you may have...accuracy of your sensors. I have two identical monitors, side by side on a shelf, in my home office. They’re the kind that read both local and remote Temp and Rh. The remote sensor for one is outdoors while the other keeps track of the climate in my crawl space. At this moment, looking at the local readout on the shelf, the two monitors are displaying exactly the same temperature but a 7% difference in Rh. If your sensor in the safe were showing 50% and it were off by 7%...well, you can see where this is going.

24CDBF6D-2E36-4623-94B6-9A5682883B39.jpeg
 
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Alabamacoastie said:
A couple months ago, I picked up a brand new Desert Eagle Case Hardened in 50ae. It was factory new. I took it into my bank yard and shot about 15 rounds through it (Hornady Critical Defense). I made sure it was clear, put it in the case, then placed the case inside a climate controlled safe in a climate controlled room. Dehumidifier is set at 55% humidity. That was about 2 months ago.

I just went to fondle and clean it. Opened the case and immediately saw rust spots on the slide. The magazines have surface rust as well. There is rust growing out from under the front site. And, worst of all, the slide is locked in the forward position. It will not budge!

I looked online and this seems to be common. The bolt can rust and fuse with the barrel, causing it to be impossible to rack the slide.

Also, this case hardened model was very expensive because it looks so awesome, but I just found out that it isn't real case hardened. It's a spray on finish, and the manual says you have to be careful when cleaning so that you don't rub the pretty colors off.

1. How does a new gun rust so fast? None of my other guns in the same safe have any rust at all.

2. Is it safe to use CLP while cleaning this weapon without rubbing off the finish? (I just sent an email to Magnum Research asking them this. Let's see what they say. )

So, heads up.... Don't end up like me... Keep your deagles clean and put them away extra wet.
Click to expand...

Just spray it down with some of that Weber Grill Spray and put it on the grill at about 350. Problem solved. :p
 
Uggggghhhhh... I just got a reply from Magnum Research.

They said I should not clean the rust off myself. I should send it to them so that their gunsmith can inspect it, blah blah blah...

There is no way I'm paying money to ship this thing and wait weeks or months for their gunsmith to use oil and a rag to wipe off surface rust.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
Uggggghhhhh... I just got a reply from Magnum Research.

They said I should not clean the rust off myself. I should send it to them so that their gunsmith can inspect it, blah blah blah...

There is no way I'm paying money to ship this thing and wait weeks or months for their gunsmith to use oil and a rag to wipe off surface rust.
Click to expand...
You should sell it at a fraction of the cost and learn from this. How much did you say?
 
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Alabamacoastie said:
Uggggghhhhh... I just got a reply from Magnum Research.

They said I should not clean the rust off myself. I should send it to them so that their gunsmith can inspect it, blah blah blah...

There is no way I'm paying money to ship this thing and wait weeks or months for their gunsmith to use oil and a rag to wipe off surface rust.
Click to expand...
Then again they may clean and resurface it for you. I don't know what they're customer service is like, if it's like Ruger or Glock, you'll just pay for freight.
 
Update... I sprayed CLP down the barrel and let it soak into the bolt for about 30 minutes. After that, the slide opened up fairly easily, with just my bare hands. No tools were needed.

I disassembled everything down to the bolt. I found no visible rust on the internal parts. I thoroughly cleaned, lubed, and re-assembled. I then removed the grips and cleaned the exterior with a cotton cloth and CLP.

The only rust I found was on the tip of the front site and on the bottom exterior of the magazines. The rust was so fresh and minimal that it wiped right off with the cloth and oil. There was no rust on the actual weapon.

The finish was not affected. Its all clean, lubed, and placed on a shelf in the safe (not in the case).

Thanks everyone! This story had a happy ending.
 
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concepthomes1 said:
I has to be.

I looked through the original post offering the discounts and Alabama Coastie posted that he ordered desert eagle through him for 40% off.
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Probably explains why only 40% of the gun rusted. ;)
 
I'm just glad I was able to catch it with 2 months of rust and not 2 years of rust. Luckily there was no damage done.

I have learned my lesson about putting guns away dirty and storing them in their cases.

Hopeful others will see this thread and learn from my mistake.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
I'm just glad I was able to catch it with 2 months of rust and not 2 years of rust. Luckily there was no damage done.

I have learned my lesson about putting guns away dirty and storing them in their cases.

Hopeful others will see this thread and learn from my mistake.
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I've put many guns away dirty, even once or twice from Combloc ammo (I know, I suck) but there is no way I put them up in those foam lined cases. You'r better off dropping it on a coffee table.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
I'm just glad I was able to catch it with 2 months of rust and not 2 years of rust. Luckily there was no damage done.

I have learned my lesson about putting guns away dirty and storing them in their cases.

Hopeful others will see this thread and learn from my mistake.
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If i shoot a weapon , it gets cleaned within 24 hrs. Guns only have two enemies....politicians and rust.
 
I am not an employee of Kahr, Auto Ordnance, or Magnum Research guys. I am simply a middle man who can work between you guys and a marketing director to get you discounts.

What happens to a firearm after you take possession is beyond my or the company’s control. However, if you are having issues with factory defects or issues you feel shouldn’t be happening, I am willing to hit up the representative with your issues. It’s not my job, nor is selling any of the firearms they offer, but I’m simply trying to help fellow gun enthusiasts out with getting deals.
 
Also, if you are facing any issues after your order with Mrs. DePorter, you can very easily hit her up afterwards. She is very adamant about helping people out. If you are having issues, she’d be quick to send you a prepaid shipping label (RMA) to get it in, inspected, fixed, and returned.
 
TheAverageShooter said:
I am not an employee of Kahr, Auto Ordnance, or Magnum Research guys. I am simply a middle man who can work between you guys and a marketing director to get you discounts.

What happens to a firearm after you take possession is beyond my or the company’s control. However, if you are having issues with factory defects or issues you feel shouldn’t be happening, I am willing to hit up the representative with your issues. It’s not my job, nor is selling any of the firearms they offer, but I’m simply trying to help fellow gun enthusiasts out with getting deals.
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You are correct. I am not complaining about you or a Kahr.

I was just frustrated that a new gun started rusting.

Now i realize that it was my fault for keeping a Deagle dirty in the case. I accept all responsibility for this problem.
 
I have no issues with my parkerized or blued or whatever it is. After reading this thread, I took it out this am and racked the slide. Checked it out really well, no issues.

I am sorry for those that have had problems.


Sent from my Star Trek Communicator using Tapatalk
 
........on a 2 month old gun......i would expect ZERO rust unless I was in a saltwater/corrosive environment. Even the unfinished bore should be OK for a.while.
 
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Alabamacoastie said:
You are correct. I am not complaining about you or a Kahr.

I was just frustrated that a new gun started rusting.

Now i realize that it was my fault for keeping a Deagle dirty in the case. I accept all responsibility for this problem.
Click to expand...

I believe that man. It just seemed like some people were making it out to sound like I was offloading crap guns or something lol. I have no part in the ordering process aside from setting up the marketing director and ordering party.

But yeah, as much as you or anyone pays for those things, they shouldn’t rust so easily. Also, I didn’t know they weren’t truly case hardened which is kind of bull crap considering their price point. But, keeping any firearm in a foam case causes the risk of rust. I learned that on a stainless Springfield Mil-Spec. It happens if you keep old war relics in leather holsters as well, I found that out the hard way too. Damn humidity.
 
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