mini in stainles... is it stainless?

[cdevon1200]

or a coating, i have one in 188 ranch model and was gonna polish it up if it is in fact stailless steel.
thanks
cdevon1200

[Der Verge]

It is stainless. It is just not the type of stainless you are thinking of. Most ppl thing about their kitchen sink or utensils when you talk about stainless, but the stainless in firearms is of different chemical composition. The type of stainless you gun is can and will rust, and a magnet will stick to it. But, you can polish it, just like your sink.

[Mrblackguns]

I know the mini in stainless is solid stainless, and yes it is different than "kitchen sink" stainless, but as far as the type used on guns rusting I've never heard of that, I'm a machinist and know a little about metalurgy and yes there are types of stainless that are magnetic and non magnetic.
I just got rid of my stainless/synthetic ranch, and don't remember if it was magnetic or non-magnetic, I think the difference is caused by the amout of carbon in the material, but don't quote me on that.

[gundoc]

The mini is a stainless alloy, but it will shine up well. There will be a few spots along the receiver that will not shine bright without a lot of effort, but if you have access to a wire wheel you can shine the rifle up to a shinier matte finish easily.

The look of the factory parts is acheived by using a mix of aluminum oxide and glass beads in a blast cabinet. Once it oxidizes a bit the color turns the Ruger gray your so used to seeing. A Scotch-Brite pad will knock down the surface and show you what you have to work with.

As stated above, it will rust. Keep a light oil or a quality polish on it like Flitz gun wax and it will stay bright for a long time. A nice finish can also be achieved with a blasting in glass beads or walnut hulls and will get the inside corners and small parts shiny without a lot of work except for the disassembly and reassembly. When blasting, the media will get into the smallest places, so clean it really good afterward.

[Der Verge]

I know the mini in stainless is solid stainless, and yes it is different than "kitchen sink" stainless, but as far as the type used on guns rusting I've never heard of that, I'm a machinist and know a little about metalurgy and yes there are types of stainless that are magnetic and non magnetic.
I just got rid of my stainless/synthetic ranch, and don't remember if it was magnetic or non-magnetic, I think the difference is caused by the amout of carbon in the material, but don't quote me on that.

I stuck a magnet to my ss mini two days ago. I am a sheet metal worker, I have seen it.. Some types of stainless rust. Boy do they rust!

[Mrblackguns]

Yeah, I know some stainless rusts, as a machinist we get lots of it, I just didn't know that the type of alloy used in guns rusted, I've shot my stainless barreled pistols and rifles out in the rain plenty, let them sit around wet for periods of time and never saw a spot of rust on anything but the carbon steel parts, so I just assumed they were a different stainless alloy that didn't rust.

[markw76]

So far my stainless Rugers seem to just air dry, but I'll just bet they are just reluctant to rust vs. carbon steel's "can't-wait-to-rust". I don't think its the carbon, I think its whatever they alloy with the Iron to make it less attractive to Oxygen. But I could be wrong. :rolleyes:

[Marlin 45 carbine]

the nickle and chromium content of the alloy determines it's rust resistance most firearms grade will develop light specks of rust generally easy removed, sometimes a wipe of muriatic will do it. then wash off of course and oil or wax.

[COBRADOC]

Okay, I'm going to ask a stupid question - why do you want to polish your weapon? The only people that I have ever seen with polished weapons are pimps and generals.

[markw76]

And some match shooters.

[93sr20det]

Why do some people wax their cars? Or their floors? Some people just take pride in their stuff...