Question for Ex-Navy/Marines

[boludo12]

While on ship out in the deep blue sea, were firearms, pistol and rifle, more susceptible to corrosion?
Did the high humidity and salt water corrode?

Doing a salt water trip next year and wondering if i should oil up a bit more...the guns that is!!

[zinfull]

Never had any rust problems with small arms at sea. One a month we would have “preventative maintenance “. Basic clean and oil.

[OCEquestrian]

While on ship out in the deep blue sea, were firearms, pistol and rifle, more susceptible to corrosion?
Did the high humidity and salt water corrode?

Doing a salt water trip next year and wondering if i should oil up a bit more...the guns that is!!

Mil-Spec weapons are finished in anti corrosion finishes usually. In the navy they are kept in armories. All US Navy ships interiors are Air Conditioned and climate controlled.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29325/take-a-peek-inside-the-armory-on-a-amphibious-assault-ship-carrying-hundreds-of-maines

[boludo12]

Thank you gents for the info and your years of service!

[deckhandmike]

Not mil but every boat I’ve ever worked on had multiple firearms. All were rusty. Mostly due to the high humidity and poor storage. Short term exposure isn’t an issue.

[OCEquestrian]

Thank you gents for the info and your years of service!

To answer your question, for your salt water trip...unless its for an extended period of time and you expect the gun to be exposed to salt water, normal cleaning and maintenance protocols will be fine. If the gun is immersed in salt water, you need to immerse it in fresh water, dry it, take it down completely for a thorough cleaning and oiling, and return to normal maintenance protocols.

The salt air is not going to have a noticeable effect over a relatively short period of time.

[tozan]

To answer your question, for your salt water trip...unless its for an extended period of time and you expect the gun to be exposed to salt water, normal cleaning and maintenance protocols will be fine. If the gun is immersed in salt water, you need to immerse it in fresh water, dry it, take it down completely for a thorough cleaning and oiling, and return to normal maintenance protocols.

The salt air is not going to have a noticeable effect over a relatively short period of time.

All good advice above.. On my personal boat I carried mine in a waterproof plastic case and cleaned and used a good lube on them every time I took them out of the case.

[RHSth4]

Like stated before Navy ships have A/C and climate controlled. Yes ships have armories or rack inside the birthing for firearms. They just get the usual cleaning.

So the best advice for you is to store the firearm in a good constrained below deck and try to keep it oiled and cleaned like normal.

[n8vrmind]

The ship's company MAs (master at arms) maintained our small arms. They were beat up and heavily used,but never noticed significant corrosion issues. Navy PMS program is rigorous. Some would argue it shortens equipment life due to constant disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly.

[M1A Rifleman]

The key is the monthly preventative maintenance - even for those kept at home in your safe