BFR .45-70 problem and warning

[subsonic]

As you guys know, I am a firearms dealer. I sell Magnum Research guns including BFRs.

The other day I received a new .45-70 BFR from a distributor. Upon inspecting it, the entire inside of the barrel was rusty and the front of the cylinder was stained black, right out of the box.

See pic:


http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x386/Dennis_Doza/50715C15-5D3E-4904-AD62-4AEB5FC11EDA-192-00000099F0119065_zps2da76120.jpg

So I returned it to the distributor. They didn't have any more in stock to replace it with, so I took credit on my account.

This week I also received a .45-70 from MRI direct on a special program and it too was rusty and black. I am in the process of sending it back today for repair or replacement.

The purpose of this post is to warn any of you that are prospective buyers of .45-70 BFRs to look at the barrel and cylinder before purchasing, as I suspect there are more than two of these with this problem and other dealers may not notice (or care) before selling them.

My best guess as to the cause would be related to the ammo shortage. I think they are test firing with black powder ammo (might be all they can get?) and not cleaning the guns before shipment.

[44man]

Yes, stainless will rust because it is not the same as used for a knife. That is strange to see a rusty barrel. But MR told me to not use BP and it will not proof test a barrel.
I am going to talk to Tertin at MR and see what is going on.

[44man]

I E mailed Jim Tertin with the question. I will see if he answers.

[44man]

Jim is very concerned, it is not right. Were there any other calibers?
Did the distributor do something? Or do you get guns direct?
We need to fix this.

[44man]

Subsonic, Jim said to call him. It is almost impossible to rust the steel.

[44man]

I suspect the distributor. You should have talked to me or Jim first. What I see is just not possible.
No amount of abuse will make the steel rust like that.

[BRobertson]

Given the right conditions, stainless will rust!!

Here in Alaska, on the coast, I have seen Rugers and S&Ws rust to an amazing degree!!

When the State Troopers started trading our model 19s for the 66s, some folks assumed that they did not require the same care as the blued guns. Somewhat true, but once they start corroding, they really go quickly!! Almost like the metal comes off in big chunks!!

A friend of mine , who is a commercial fisherman, ruined a mod 60 S&W by leaving it laying on its side near the back of his boat. He used it for shooting sharks that hit his trolling gear. The whole side looked like it had a terrible disease!!

I have found that the best, longest lasting protection for stainless guns is a couple of coats of some type of synthetic
car wax.

Bob

[subsonic]

Cool your jets Jim (44man). MR is going to make it right. I just wanted to throw a warning out for anybody shopping to take a peek down the barrel before getting out the wallet.

[tek4260]

Maybe somehow they got a batch of corrosive primers they are using in their proof loads. Maybe mix that with moisture from somewhere, maybe in transit.....

Did the paperwork appear to have gotten damp in the package with the revolver?

[portlybowlofpigfat]

only time i have seen a stainless barrel rust like that was after having had steel wool used in it

[44man]

Cool your jets Jim (44man). MR is going to make it right. I just wanted to throw a warning out for anybody shopping to take a peek down the barrel before getting out the wallet.
I know they will take care of it. I just have to blame something from them to you. The gun did not leave MR like that, it is in between abuse. I have to wonder what blued guns look like from your distributor. Salt air, high humidity, etc.
I can't cool my jets, I am too concerned for you and your customers. You are a friend and I will be damned if I leave it go. We both know, nothing the factory does will make a gun like that.

[Love Life]

If it's not possible to rust a gun like that, then why is it rusted?

[subsonic]

I got 2 this way (re-read first post...). One direct from MRI and one from the distributor practically across the street from them.

One serial number ended in 13, the other in 92, so I figure there's a few between them that also have this issue, whatever is causing it. But I could be wrong?

[44man]

Hard to figure that out. It is the same steel used in every stainless gun.

[Love Life]

Any developments to this? Did you ever find out why it rusted like that?

[MT Chambers]

Just another reason to buy a Freedom Arms '83 in .454 Casull.