What Causes Barrel Pitting?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The vapors originated from a

leak of gasoline through

a single hole formed by corrosion between a steel gasoline pipe and a zinc-plated water pipe. Firearms can also suffer from pitting, most notably in the bore of the barrel when corrosive ammunition is used and the barrel is not cleaned soon afterwards.

How do you get rid of pitting corrosion?

  1. Wrap a sheet of 80-grit sandpaper around a sanding block and sand the pitted area aggressively. …
  2. Wipe the sanding dust off the metal with a rag.
  3. Scrub the metal with a wire brush to remove rust particles from inside the pits and wipe off the particles with a dry rag.

Is a pitted barrel safe to shoot?

Every time you fire, there is a residue left in the barrel, chamber, and action. Over time, this residue can build up. … Usually, this starts inside the barrel of the gun where the residue is left around the chamber, ejector, and firing mechanism.

Untreated corrosion can cause the gun to be unsafe to shoot

.

Is pitting on a gun bad?

Pitting will not spread unless the neglect continues. Clean off all active rust and keep a light film of oil on it, and the gun will live far longer than you will. Bore pitting is never a good thing, but

it may not be bad, either

.

What is pitting on guns?

Pitting corrosion, or pitting, is

a form of extremely localized corrosion that leads to the creation of small holes in the metal

.

What is a frosted gun barrel?

Frosted usually refers to

light pitting

. Sometimes it is called salt and pepper corrosion. Most bores that are lightly frosted can still be good shooters.

How do you stop pitting?

  1. Proper selection of materials with known resistance to the service environment.
  2. Control pH, chloride concentration and temperature.
  3. Cathodic protection and/or Anodic Protection.
  4. Use higher alloys (ASTM G48) for increased resistance to pitting corrosion.

How do you stop pitting in aluminum?


Painting, anodizing or any surface treatment that forms a coating on the aluminium surface

will protect the surface from pitting attack. In applications when you want to preserve the aluminium look and still have a surface resistant to pitting, a clear coat or thin anodic coating would be suitable surface treatments.

What is the difference between pitting and crevice corrosion?

Whereas pitting corrosion occurs across the surface of a component, crevice corrosion is associated with a crevice, be that one that forms around a fastener, washer or joint, in a sharp corner or in an area where the flow of a liquid is slowed i.e. a dead spot.

What is pitting in a barrel?

Pitting is just that:

tiny holes rusted into the metal

, and there’s no way to “remove” or “fill” the holes. This does not mean the barrel is no good, or that it won’t shoot good groups.

Can rifling be repaired?

Yes,

the rifling can be restored at a slightly larger diameter of both lands and grooves

. When you look down the barrel, you will see that there are “pits” in both the bottoms of the grooves and lands. To restore, the grooves must be cut deeper (larger diameter) and the lands bored to a larger diameter.

What does pitting look like on stainless steel?

One of the most common stainless steel discoloration causes is

hard water

. It leaves calcium deposits on stainless steel that create a dull, whitish film that you can’t remove with soap and water.

How do you restore pitted stainless steel?


Apply baking soda

to cover the stainless steel. Buff the surface using a dry cloth or paper towel. This will lightly polish and deep-clean without damaging the finish. Rinse well and dry.

How do you clean pitted Chrome?

The best bet, once chrome has been washed with soapy water and dried, is to use

a metal polish or chrome cleaner

to get rid of any pitting or discolouration. A cheaper option, though, is to use some kitchen tin foil and a light oil or polish instead.

What does strong rifling mean?

Another nice vague term is “strong rifling”, which often means that

with a good light you just might be able to make out a few lands.

What causes pitting on stainless steel?

Pitting Corrosion

Pitting occurs when

there is a localized breakdown of the stainless steel’s protective passive layer on an openly exposed surface

. Once initiated the growth rate of the pit can be relatively rapid resulting in deep cavities and even through-wall attack.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.